www.kiwiregionalairlines.co.nz
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 86
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From: on this planet
Agreed that those requirements for pilots should justify decent pay. But as Nelson will be crew base one should expect 'sunshine wages' i.e. nothing flash compared to OZ pay for a similar role.
I could be wrong but..
I could be wrong but..
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne
Kiwi Regional announces first routes.
KIWI Regional Airlines has announced the routes it will fly with its first aircraft
Commencing on September 27th this year, Kiwi will start each day with a return Dunedin – Queenstown flight, supporting close business and tourism relationships between the two cities.
The aircraft, a SAAB 340A 32-seat twin-engine turboprop model, will then fly mid-morning to Nelson direct from Dunedin, a route that has not been flown previously by a scheduled service, but connects the country's premier fishing industry ports, and the two largest South Island cities outside Christchurch.
From Nelson, Kiwi flies return to Hamilton in the middle of the day, renewing a connection flown by thousands of passengers annually on both Origin Pacific and Air New Zealand until 2008.
The flight then returns from Nelson to Dunedin mid-afternoon, before repeating the Dunedin – Queenstown return flight in the early evening.
Kiwi Chief executive Ewan Wilson said he was "very pleased at the progress Kiwi is making"'.
"Our Civil Aviation Authority certification is well under way, key personnel have been appointed, airports are being negotiated with, aircraft purchase steps are nearing fruition and now we have finalised our first route."
"Our route is an exciting one, different from all other airlines, and we expect will be well-supported by the communities it serves."
Kiwi intends to add a second aircraft, and additional routes, within the next 12 months.
Commencing on September 27th this year, Kiwi will start each day with a return Dunedin – Queenstown flight, supporting close business and tourism relationships between the two cities.
The aircraft, a SAAB 340A 32-seat twin-engine turboprop model, will then fly mid-morning to Nelson direct from Dunedin, a route that has not been flown previously by a scheduled service, but connects the country's premier fishing industry ports, and the two largest South Island cities outside Christchurch.
From Nelson, Kiwi flies return to Hamilton in the middle of the day, renewing a connection flown by thousands of passengers annually on both Origin Pacific and Air New Zealand until 2008.
The flight then returns from Nelson to Dunedin mid-afternoon, before repeating the Dunedin – Queenstown return flight in the early evening.
Kiwi Chief executive Ewan Wilson said he was "very pleased at the progress Kiwi is making"'.
"Our Civil Aviation Authority certification is well under way, key personnel have been appointed, airports are being negotiated with, aircraft purchase steps are nearing fruition and now we have finalised our first route."
"Our route is an exciting one, different from all other airlines, and we expect will be well-supported by the communities it serves."
Kiwi intends to add a second aircraft, and additional routes, within the next 12 months.
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: nz
I would have thought you would want 2 aircraft before you started operating RPT from one end of the country to the other?
How long before we see stories about upset pax when the aircraft is AOG and no alternative flights on offer?
How long before we see stories about upset pax when the aircraft is AOG and no alternative flights on offer?
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 638
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From: South
SAAB 340A equals business failure. The A is a dog whenever you get hot and high. They will not be flying IFR to Queenstown with any sort of reliable schedule, the SAAB does not have RNP AR qualification. I suspect the EO for the SAAB will be lower than the MSA, which will be problematic and in icing conditions will be almost impossible.
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 601
From: Dark Side of the Moon
Well, I thought that they might have a chance depending on the routes, this for me though makes them a dead duck. They are going to have ONE aircraft flying the length of the country on a schedule so tight that the whole thing will fall to pieces after the first breakdown, diversion.
Taking a non-RNP aircraft into ZQN will guarantee many diversions, they might as well book the bus now.
Taking a non-RNP aircraft into ZQN will guarantee many diversions, they might as well book the bus now.
Joined: Sep 2008
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1,191
From: 41S174E
I agree that Queenstown will be hugely problematic to this schedule. When I used to fly in there in a non RNP -AR capable aircraft we would often divert. I remember at one stage diverting three days in a row.
If Queenstown wasn't part of the mix and there were two aircraft it would seem viable. Whatever they do they have to stay away from the fracas on the routes contested by Jetstar.
Good luck to them. I'd love to see them succeed.
If Queenstown wasn't part of the mix and there were two aircraft it would seem viable. Whatever they do they have to stay away from the fracas on the routes contested by Jetstar.
Good luck to them. I'd love to see them succeed.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
From: BNE
340A's must be as cheap as chips to buy.
Note the press release says 32 seats. Wonder if they've pulled seats to give better performance ?
Surely, they'd have some backup if aircraft goes U/S but who/what ?
Isn't alternate for ZQN now the new Te Anua strip ?
Note the press release says 32 seats. Wonder if they've pulled seats to give better performance ?
Surely, they'd have some backup if aircraft goes U/S but who/what ?
Isn't alternate for ZQN now the new Te Anua strip ?
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,288
Likes: 1
From: Enzed
could divert to alexandra, wanaka or teanau. first two would be there preference i suspect.
Wanaka has only RNAV approaches which means "sole means" nav ability plus I'm not sure you could use it as an alternate for these reasons anyway.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: AKL
History does repeat it self, wonder what he will try in 15 years time? Maybe Kiwi Pacific Airlines?
Interesting to see CV getting to the SF340, maybe an replacement for there passenger conviars down the track? along with some SF2000s as combi's.
Interesting to see CV getting to the SF340, maybe an replacement for there passenger conviars down the track? along with some SF2000s as combi's.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 0
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From: BNE
email just recd
Air Chathams buys Kiwi Regional Airlines
Kiwi Regional Airlines is using this newsletter to give all our subscribers advance warning of a major change to our services.
After 30th July, we will no longer be operating our existing scheduled services between Nelson, Dunedin, Hamilton and Tauranga - except for a group of flights at the end of August/start of September (which include a number of school sports teams) which we will let you know about soon.
Air Chathams, an existing airline with 5 aircraft, has purchased our aircraft and will be using it on the Whanganui-Auckland route from 1st August that Air NZ is stopping.
All of our flights before 30th July will still be operating as planned, and we urge you to make the most of the remaining time to book your Kiwi tickets. If you have Kiwi tickets for travel after 30th July, you will be given a full refund, OR - if you want to bring that trip forward - we ask you to call our reservations centre to make a rebooking.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 147
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From: Dr. Evil's secret volcano lair
What do you mean BNEA320 ?
They didn't compete with anybody !
They flew odd routes with a (1) larger aircraft that simply didn't have, and would never have, the numbers. There was no way they were ever going to survive, don't kid yourself thinking otherwise under their current setup. Anyone who knows the NZ aviation industry knew this.
I will hand it to EW for closing it down properly before the receivers ever got involved.
They didn't compete with anybody !
They flew odd routes with a (1) larger aircraft that simply didn't have, and would never have, the numbers. There was no way they were ever going to survive, don't kid yourself thinking otherwise under their current setup. Anyone who knows the NZ aviation industry knew this.
I will hand it to EW for closing it down properly before the receivers ever got involved.