No AOC for Skyairworld, delay for Solomon Airlines
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Just having a guess - putting together two and two and getting five. Has there been any more progress on Pacific Blue's application for HIR. I am wondering if Ozjet might be importing a 737-300 to operate this service.
You may have seen that Ozjet are proposing to do some services over to Palmerston North in NZ with a 737-300, which they do not have at the moment.
If the flights to HIR will be three times weekly for PB, I am wondering if the flights to NZ would be to use the plane on days when it is not required for Solomons.
You may have seen that Ozjet are proposing to do some services over to Palmerston North in NZ with a 737-300, which they do not have at the moment.
If the flights to HIR will be three times weekly for PB, I am wondering if the flights to NZ would be to use the plane on days when it is not required for Solomons.
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there are no 737-300 free anywhere in the world at the moment. any that can be maintained in australia that is, without major expense. the only machine about is the airwork 73, but its so expensive, and with airwork's past record, no one in their right mind will touch it.
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Speednews does list 35 airplanes, but look at the delivery dates. Not too many available before March. Those that are might not be priced right, might not have the rudder or center tank mods done etc etc. Usually if an airplane is listed as immediately available it means it is parked in the desert in Arizona or somewhere. Some would be on a storage maintenance program and the real cheapies may not be. From a good storage status it would be a few months and a lot of dollars to get one up to CASA standards. If not on a program, no amount of time and dollars short of a total restoration would fix it with CASA. The good news for the bottom end of the market is that in the longer term old 737's should get cheaper as Air Asia dumps their big fleet on the market.
And none of the currently available are ETOPS. Qantas and Air New Zealand would not be so silly as to sell theirs in to the local market. Makes trans Tasman expensive if not ETOPS.
And none of the currently available are ETOPS. Qantas and Air New Zealand would not be so silly as to sell theirs in to the local market. Makes trans Tasman expensive if not ETOPS.
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That was just me guessing where Ozjet might source a 737-300 in time for March. Since Ozjet is related to European, I am wondering if the plane might come from Europe. Last I looked, EAS does not have 733s, though on other parts of Pprune, some people have discussed EAS obtaining 733s or 737-500s for some IT flights operated by them.
I take it Ozjet would operate the planes themselves. In early days Freedom obtained aircraft from Eastern Europe and other regions of the world, with crews.
I take it Ozjet would operate the planes themselves. In early days Freedom obtained aircraft from Eastern Europe and other regions of the world, with crews.
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Deeper and deeper into the mire
Picked up the newspaper this morning and read that the Solomon Airlines woes are getting worse. Opinion here is that the sooner Mr SS has gone the better. In the meantime the service to/from Honiara has not improved except that the Air Van charter is in a 737-300 which at least restores payload again. Why the manangement (ooops, sorry there isn't any at the moment that is functioning) don't just grab the opportunity to enter into an arrangement with Our Airline and get things back on the rails is beyond the comprehension of the local expat community. The Air Van charters simply bringing 10 or so people in and a similar number out each time is another expensive folly. (At least it makes it easy for me to get seats out of here when necessary!)
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there are no 737-300 free anywhere in the world at the moment. any that can be maintained in australia that is, without major expense. the only machine about is the airwork 73, but its so expensive, and with airwork's past record, no one in their right mind will touch it.
if an airplane is listed as immediately available it means it is parked in the desert in Arizona or somewhere.
The good news for the bottom end of the market is that in the longer term old 737's should get cheaper as Air Asia dumps their big fleet on the market.
And none of the currently available are ETOPS. Qantas and Air New Zealand would not be so silly as to sell theirs in to the local market. Makes trans Tasman expensive if not ETOPS.
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Why don't they just throw a tent over it and charge admission?
Circus Soleil, Circus Solair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Circus Soleil, Circus Solair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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from bad to worse
So, IE have suspended all domestic operations. Seems that things are really going pear shaped for the airline. Is this suspension because they are so desperate to keep the international side of things going despite the worst efforts of the "on again-off again" CEO and they need what little cash they can scrape from the domestic operation to do so? Or is it a regulatory matter - possibly brought to the attention of the Solomons DCA by a disgruntled manager?
How long before they are without a link to Australia - yet again?
How long before they are without a link to Australia - yet again?
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no idea,
i grow weary of posting on this thread.
there are no 733's available in the world that are appropriate for use by ie. you ignorant fu**ers. you cant just rock up with a 73 and say lets go flying. it has to be registered, it has to be crewed, it has to have an accredited maintenance organisation willing to give credit to ie. to put a NEW aircraft on an australian maintenance program costs in excess of 500.000 aust.
our airline wont work with ie because they think they will own the route. its really not an option.
get real, get a life, and dont worry, be happy.
i grow weary of posting on this thread.
there are no 733's available in the world that are appropriate for use by ie. you ignorant fu**ers. you cant just rock up with a 73 and say lets go flying. it has to be registered, it has to be crewed, it has to have an accredited maintenance organisation willing to give credit to ie. to put a NEW aircraft on an australian maintenance program costs in excess of 500.000 aust.
our airline wont work with ie because they think they will own the route. its really not an option.
get real, get a life, and dont worry, be happy.
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there are no 733's available in the world that are appropriate for use by ie. you ignorant fu**ers. you cant just rock up with a 73 and say lets go flying. it has to be registered, it has to be crewed, it has to have an accredited maintenance organisation willing to give credit to ie. to put a NEW aircraft on an australian maintenance program costs in excess of 500.000 aust.
There is plenty of examples available on the market you just need to know where to look
i grow weary of posting on this thread.
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Children, children - no need for a slanging match.
The major problem for both Our Airline and Solomons is that neither have the money, nor the credit rating to just go out and lease a 737-300, or even a Twin Otter. One of you is right in saying that there are airplanes to be leased (but not very many which is a problem in itself when it comes to getting a good one); the other is just as correct in suggesting half a million would be the opening price to go get one and get it running. Add another half million by way of a lease bond. Or pay about 10 million in cash for a clapped out 300. Much, much more for ETOPS and who would support it anyway? More money up front if you dealt with Qantas or Air NZ for ETOPS support.
The small Pacific Island nations do not have, and have not for many years had, the sort of money it takes to run an international airline. In some cases, the major reason they are bankrupt is because of their attempts to run airlines. Nauru being a classic example. Domestic operations in those countries that need it - like Solomons - should be in private hands, as it is a given that anything Government is inefficient, corrupt and incompetent. Private airline ownership may also be corrupt, but at least it usually works.
Pacific nations won't co-operate with each other - still too tribal. So while Sale expresses some noble ideas, a joint Nauru/Solomons airline will never happen.
Pacific Blue is their only reasonable chance at an international service, but it does mean they have to swallow their pride and accept foreign control of their air route rights.
The major problem for both Our Airline and Solomons is that neither have the money, nor the credit rating to just go out and lease a 737-300, or even a Twin Otter. One of you is right in saying that there are airplanes to be leased (but not very many which is a problem in itself when it comes to getting a good one); the other is just as correct in suggesting half a million would be the opening price to go get one and get it running. Add another half million by way of a lease bond. Or pay about 10 million in cash for a clapped out 300. Much, much more for ETOPS and who would support it anyway? More money up front if you dealt with Qantas or Air NZ for ETOPS support.
The small Pacific Island nations do not have, and have not for many years had, the sort of money it takes to run an international airline. In some cases, the major reason they are bankrupt is because of their attempts to run airlines. Nauru being a classic example. Domestic operations in those countries that need it - like Solomons - should be in private hands, as it is a given that anything Government is inefficient, corrupt and incompetent. Private airline ownership may also be corrupt, but at least it usually works.
Pacific nations won't co-operate with each other - still too tribal. So while Sale expresses some noble ideas, a joint Nauru/Solomons airline will never happen.
Pacific Blue is their only reasonable chance at an international service, but it does mean they have to swallow their pride and accept foreign control of their air route rights.
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Ah, Gas Chamber, logical thoughts indeed. Island nations individually do not generally have the resources as you mention but, from our perspective out here in the Solomons, Our Airline seems to be making a bit of a fist of it despite enormous obstacles. Our Airline did some hard yards after losing their (Air Nauru) -400 and the restructured (lean and mean) operation is a model that other islands aspiring to an airline operation would be well advised to copy. As we see it, there is no need for the pursuit of another 737 at this juncture, the Our Airline aircraft is far from fully utilised running twice a week Brisbane, Nauru, Tarawa and back and the capacity is there to provide significant capacity to Honiara in addition to the present Our Airline schedule. The ongoing use of Australian carriers (SAW, Ozjet) at considerable cost rather than using the ability/resources of another island nation beggars disbelief, if not for the cost but for the lack of unity and common objective.
Locally the feeling amongst thinkers is that an alliance between Nauru and the Solomons would be of enormous benefit to both countries. However the sad reality is that the Solomonese will let stubborn pride prevail and a viable opportunity will go begging despite the logic and common sense that shows that it would be successful - and at far less cost (or, put another way, at greater profit) to the country than a Pacific Blue operation.
The turmoil that besets Solomon Airlines at present will see more harm than good eventuate in the short term, and all because certain individuals are more concerned with their personal objectives than those of the airline/nation. What will it take for the government to wake up that things could be done far better, and profitably as a consequence, if they bite the bullet and appoint people without vested interests to the positions that matter?
Locally the feeling amongst thinkers is that an alliance between Nauru and the Solomons would be of enormous benefit to both countries. However the sad reality is that the Solomonese will let stubborn pride prevail and a viable opportunity will go begging despite the logic and common sense that shows that it would be successful - and at far less cost (or, put another way, at greater profit) to the country than a Pacific Blue operation.
The turmoil that besets Solomon Airlines at present will see more harm than good eventuate in the short term, and all because certain individuals are more concerned with their personal objectives than those of the airline/nation. What will it take for the government to wake up that things could be done far better, and profitably as a consequence, if they bite the bullet and appoint people without vested interests to the positions that matter?
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Was the sacking of MP's who supported the IE board the catalyst for the rebellion? Whatever, things in the airline aren't going to get better for some time yet with this sort of turmoil.
