JetRaro - Mike Pero's CHC-RAR venture

[whisperjet146]

NZ media this past few days has been focussed on the desire to establish a bubble with realm territory the Cook Islands, which is and always has been covid free.

NZ businessman Mike Pero, is the successful founder of Mike Pero Mortgages, Mike Pero Real Estate as well as former marketing manager and 25% owner of the now defunct (2006) NZ regional network airline Origin Pacific Airways, and founder of a short lived commuter airline, Airlink based in CHC.

See below the article in the ODT today.
Hints at an A320 operation, CHC-RAR. Looks like he will set up a tour company and sell tickets on a chartered aircraft. Anyone have any clues as to who?

Real estate and mortgage businessman Mike Pero says he has an airline ready to fly people from Christchurch to Rarotonga if New Zealand opens its borders with the Cook Islands.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has asked officials to consider opening a travel bubble with the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau but there has been no date set for a planned resumption of flights.

The Cook Islands Government expects to confirm a "travel bridge" with New Zealand in the next week.

After first approaching Air New Zealand with his idea to operate a charter between the South Island and Rarotonga, Mr Pero said the national carrier said no, so he found another airline.

"I cannot tell you who the airline is at this stage ... but most Kiwis will be familiar with the name."

Mr Pero said he spoke to airlines around the world to find one to carry out the flights.

"Airlines from Dublin to Los Angeles to the Pacific region and I’m in discussions with somebody that can do it on an aircraft the same as Air New Zealand operate and with competitive fares.

"I got frustrated a few weeks ago thinking ‘Well, if no-one else is going to do it ... why don’t we look at flights out of Christchurch so that South Islanders can get to Rarotonga just as easy as Aucklanders’."

He said it was all subject to borders opening and the Covid-19 situation staying under control.

His role would be as a tour operator, via a new company called Jet Raro.

He was very confident in the demand for the journey to the Cook Islands from Christchurch.

"There’s no doubt, absolutely no doubt there’s demand.

"A spot in the sun this time of year will go well."

Mr Pero will advertise for one-way flights costing between $299 and $499 he hopes to start in about two months on September 22.

Passengers would travel on an Airbus A320 and would get full cash refunds if Covid-19 interrupted their plans.

Flights would go between three and five days a week, leaving Christchurch at 9.30am and arriving in Rarotonga at 3.30pm. On the return leg, flights would leave Rarotonga at 4.30pm and arrive in Christchurch at 8.30pm.

"Just a random date," Mr Pero said about the September 22 date.

"It’s the week leading in the school holidays."

He said he was able to offer flights cheaper because they can run "more cost-effectively" out of Christchurch.

[Middle.Marker]

Surely only leaves the star. CGO, ICN, WUH were all charters on behalf of travel agencies if I recall correctly so it’s not new for them

[waren9]

Thats a fair ol' way in a little bus. Wonder if payload becomes problematic if the weather requires a bit more gas?

Gotta be a solid 5+ hours on the way back too, which'd be fun. Hope Mike makes sure the charter aircraft has got plenty of movies to watch.

[swh]

Thats a fair ol' way in a little bus.

RAR-CHC is about same distance as BNE-PER

[dctPub]

Where do I sign.

[whisperjet146]

The route was last operated seasonally by Virgin Australia (NZ) Launched in 2015 and quietly dropped a few years later. Back of the clock flying.

Newshub yesterday;"In desperation to get something going, I took it upon myself to find out what was available in the way of charter flights and we are very close to bringing together a deal with a recognised airline," he told Newshub.

"It's not Air NZ. I wanted it to be Air NZ, but they don't have the resources."

He said plans to operate direct flights between Christchurch and the Cook Islands have been "on the go" for six weeks and the direct route would mean just a five-hour journey from the South Island, rather than via Auckland which can add hours to the trip.”

Air NZ don’t have the resources. Seems odd.

[Global Aviator]

Why the negativity?

If it gets aircraft in the sky...

People are travel starved, 5 hours in a LCC 320 is luxury at present!

[BNEA320]

Why the negativity?

If it gets aircraft in the sky...

People are travel starved, 5 hours in a LCC 320 is luxury at present!
yep, good idea. Is it JQ operating flights ?

[InZed]

Air New Zealand CEO has said since March that during the recovery phase of this whole thing, there will be new ventures born in the LCC/ULCC realm that will threaten their recovery. With Mike's mansion on the island as well as being CHC based, I am unsurprised by his desire for this idea. Match that with cheap leases, cheap air crew, and desperate NZers to get away... He could be onto something here. Particularly with VANZ pulling out of the route (permanently IIRC), and JQ's 1-3 times a week.

The issue will be in the longevity. 6 months from now when AirNZ is throwing daily 787-9s with 30 business seats etc and lounge access, deals throughout the regions in partnership with Cook Island Tourism (whom is pushing for the return of air travel HUGELY)... I fear the business model and pricing could fall over the first hurdle.

[Slezy9]

Thats a fair ol' way in a little bus. Wonder if payload becomes problematic if the weather requires a bit more gas?

Gotta be a solid 5+ hours on the way back too, which'd be fun. Hope Mike makes sure the charter aircraft has got plenty of movies to watch.

On the way over I’d think you’d run into problems fuel wise with the alternate being Tahiti. Especially if there’s any weather.

[Chris2303]

On the way over I’d think you’d run into problems fuel wise with the alternate being Tahiti. Especially if there’s any weather.

My wife and I were stuck in RAR for an extra night last year because heavy rain caused the JQ flight to divert to PPT. According to the crew they held for 30 minutes before diverting. And that flight was from AKL

[BNEA320]

reports in news of Russians going via Belarus to get to EU beach resorts.

The same thing might happen with NZ, ie. fly Australia to NZ & then fly to anywhere that NZ or other carriers(scheduled or charter) fly

[Ollie Onion]

BNEA320, that will not be happening. The bubble between NZ and RARO is contingent on only being for travellers from the two countries I.e only travellers who have been in NZ or Cook Islands for more that 14 days will be allowed on the flights. This will have to be run by an Airline that has NZ based crew or an airline that is willing to base crew in NZ after completing the 14 day Quarantine. I can’t see the range being a problem, often the NAN - SYD flight is 5 hours plus and you can hold 60 mins over SYD pretty comfortably with a pax cap at 160 ish, so you may find they cap the flights.

[Slezy9]

I can’t see the range being a problem, often the NAN - SYD flight is 5 hours plus and you can hold 60 mins over SYD pretty comfortably with a pax cap at 160 ish, so you may find they cap the flights.

But SYD has a bunch of alternates at close range. RAR, not so much.

[InZed]

BNEA320, that will not be happening. The bubble between NZ and RARO is contingent on only being for travellers from the two countries I.e only travellers who have been in NZ or Cook Islands for more that 14 days will be allowed on the flights. This will have to be run by an Airline that has NZ based crew or an airline that is willing to base crew in NZ after completing the 14 day Quarantine. I can’t see the range being a problem, often the NAN - SYD flight is 5 hours plus and you can hold 60 mins over SYD pretty comfortably with a pax cap at 160 ish, so you may find they cap the flights.

WTF are you talking about? Too many beers in the evening BNE?

You clearly are an armchair pilot because you have zero knowledge of alternates in the Pacific. I have personally diverted from NAN to APW on a messy f-ing night where nothing was available. Absolute disaster. We offloaded 20 pax out of Australia, no cargo and still landed with low fuel lights on.

AKL-RAR is a horrible flight. AirNZ run their wide bodies there regularly and carry return fuel so their alternates are AKL/TBU/PPT.

[BNEA320]

BNEA320, that will not be happening. The bubble between NZ and RARO is contingent on only being for travellers from the two countries I.e only travellers who have been in NZ or Cook Islands for more that 14 days will be allowed on the flights. This will have to be run by an Airline that has NZ based crew or an airline that is willing to base crew in NZ after completing the 14 day Quarantine. I can’t see the range being a problem, often the NAN - SYD flight is 5 hours plus and you can hold 60 mins over SYD pretty comfortably with a pax cap at 160 ish, so you may find they cap the flights.if flights operating AKL/LAX for example & OZ/AKL how can anyone stop Australians going OZ/AKL/LAX ?

[DeltaT]

if flights operating AKL/LAX for example & OZ/AKL how can anyone stop Australians going OZ/AKL/LAX ?

Border controls.
Its not free movement like pre-covid.

[Chris2303]

if flights operating AKL/LAX for example & OZ/AKL how can anyone stop Australians going OZ/AKL/LAX ?

Transfers in AKL not permitted.

Destination traffic only

[theSOD]

Transfers in AKL not permitted.

Destination traffic only

You sure about that? Or is it something recent.

Because when I flew from BNE to AKL about 8 weeks ago there was a family in front of my flying BNE-AKL-LAX to get home to New York. There were also some folk transiting AKL to get to one of islands.

[BNEA320]

You sure about that? Or is it something recent.

Because when I flew from BNE to AKL about 8 weeks ago there was a family in front of my flying BNE-AKL-LAX to get home to New York. There were also some folk transiting AKL to get to one of islands.
& everything will be relaxed much more soon, probably after NZ election.

IIRC Canada 3000 used to fly their 340 seat A332 YVR/HNL/BNE/SYD/AKL/RAR/HNL/YVR

Didn't RAR lose some of it's runway during a cyclone ?

[Chris2303]

& everything will be relaxed much more soon, probably after NZ election.

IIRC Canada 3000 used to fly their 340 seat A332 YVR/HNL/BNE/SYD/AKL/RAR/HNL/YVR

Didn't RAR lose some of it's runway during a cyclone ?

Maybe - but there is unlikely to be a change in Government

RAR runway is 7638ft with a 400ft displaced threshold

https://ourairports.com/airports/NCRG/

[cnsnz]

You are able to transit in AKL at present. Any Bubble flights will only be NZ Citizen Residents living in NZ there will be no ability to transit from another country as separate terminal facility would be used.

[kiwi grey]

You are able to transit in AKL at present. Any Bubble flights will only be NZ Citizen Residents living in NZ there will be no ability to transit from another country as separate terminal facility would be used.

It's currently being seriously considered that a "Pacific Islands Bubble" should use Hamilton as the NZ terminus.
Although fitted out for International services, Hamilton currently has none, so putting in a Pacific Island Bubble from there would avoid any cross-contamination issues, no transit issues either.

BTW, just add BNE320 to your PPrune 'ignore list' [Quick Links > (on LHS) Settings & Options > Edit Ignore List], then you won't see his annoying posts any more.

[waren9]

BTW, just add BNE320 to your PPrune 'ignore list' [Quick Links > (on LHS) Settings & Options > Edit Ignore List], then you won't see his annoying posts any more.

:ok:

1234567890

[Anti Skid On]

It's currently being seriously considered that a "Pacific Islands Bubble" should use Hamilton as the NZ terminus.
Although fitted out for International services, Hamilton currently has none, so putting in a Pacific Island Bubble from there would avoid any cross-contamination issues, no transit issues either.

BTW, just add BNE320 to your PPrune 'ignore list' [Quick Links > (on LHS) Settings & Options > Edit Ignore List], then you won't see his annoying posts any more.
But who would we have to (frequently) correct?

[BNEA320]

Maybe - but there is unlikely to be a change in Government

RAR runway is 7638ft with a 400ft displaced threshold

https://ourairports.com/airports/NCRG/

& how precisely would anyone know who's going to win NZ election ? Polls ? They are lately completely wrong.

Trump in USA ?

Scomo in OZ ?

Brexit in UK ?

[brokenagain]

BTW, just add BNE320 to your PPRuNe 'ignore list' [Quick Links > (on LHS) Settings & Options > Edit Ignore List], then you won't see his annoying posts any more.

Plus his 4 or 5 other aliases.

[BNEA320]

Plus his 4 or 5 other aliases.no aliases, but might be a few people who have similar views in our organisation.

[brokenagain]

Ok BNEA320/TT738/MelbourneFlyer/USAOZ/REALDEAL/Craig.

[BNEA320]

Ok BNEA320/TT738/MelbourneFlyer/USAOZ/REALDEAL/Craig.

wrong none of these us

TT738/MelbourneFlyer/USAOZ/REALDEAL/Craig