New Zealand Aviation Thread - April 2021

zkncj · Fri Apr 09, 2021 1:25 am

5 out 6 of todays imported cases are from India, seems suspending arrivals from India is an good call for the time being.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-ministry-of-health-update-on-cases-auckland-miq-worker/R5MY3BQIPWC2TB2RCJPGRT26BE/

That EK flight to AKL seems to be the COVID express, don't think I would want to be on it.

zkeoj · Fri Apr 09, 2021 1:35 am

I thought I'd share a nice story with you, for a change:

For the week before Easter I had booked Sounds Air from CHC to BHE to log my first flight on a PC-12 (and BHE-WLG on the C208). I was boarding first (only 6 pax were on the flight) and sat in the first row. The pilot started talking to me while waiting for the other passengers, and when I told them that I booked this flight specifically to fly on the PC-12, he asked me if I want to sit up front. What a question - does he have to ask, haha? His only condition was that I wear a face mask all the time. It was a great flight, beautiful weather, and he told me a lot about himself, the flight, the aircraft, and Sounds Air.

Years ago, but post 9/11, I also was invited by the check-in person (who was also the flight attendant) of Air Chathams to sit in the jump seat on the C580 (she knew I was an airline enthusiast because I had booked only AKL-NPE, and not onwards to the Chathams).

Since 9/11 we rarely get the opportunity for a visit to the cockpit in flight, let alone to fly on the right seat or a jump seat. Both times I didn't even ask for this, but they generously offered! You gotta love Aotearoa, kiwi hospitality, the great people in the industry, and especially the wonderful "small fry"!

zkncj · Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:04 am

WA Pem Mark McGowan has confirmed today that Western Australia, will join the New Zealand travel bubble.
https://twitter.com/MarkMcGowanMP/statu ... 99/photo/1

zkncj · Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:07 am

Face coverings required on domestic flights - is it time to let that requirement go?

Seems odd that we are happy to open up to Australia, yet we still required face-masks to be worn on domestic flights in New Zealand.
Surely it should be time to remove that requirement?

I was thinking while I was at my over crowed in Auckland City gym tonight, that surely I'm at more risk of getting Covid here (no mask required). Than on my 45minute flight to Wellington, that they are more than happy to let me remove my facemask to drink an beer during Koru Hour.

NZ321 · Fri Apr 09, 2021 2:01 pm

zkncj wrote:
Face coverings required on domestic flights - is it time to let that requirement go?

Seems odd that we are happy to open up to Australia, yet we still required face-masks to be worn on domestic flights in New Zealand.
Surely it should be time to remove that requirement?

I was thinking while I was at my over crowed in Auckland City gym tonight, that surely I'm at more risk of getting Covid here (no mask required). Than on my 45minute flight to Wellington, that they are more than happy to let me remove my facemask to drink an beer during Koru Hour.

I am not so sure there is a need to hurry this process. Recent research questions previous data on the safety of flying re Covid-19. I'd suggest we get the bubble open first and see how things go before rushing to relax the mask requirement... needn't be long. Frankly, there's too much at stake to be hasty.

zkncj · Fri Apr 09, 2021 9:36 pm

Looks like Hobart has been put on sale overnight, starting on Thursday 22 April 2021z

Looks like AKL-HBA is operated by an A320CEO and not NEO at this stage.

Flights are Thursday // Friday NZ197 departs AKL at 0900 and NZ198 Departs HBA at 12:30.

AKL is soon to become very busy again around 0900 and 1700 daily!

DavidByrne · Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:04 pm

zkncj wrote:
Looks like Hobart has been put on sale overnight, starting on Thursday 22 April 2021z

Looks like AKL-HBA is operated by an A320CEO and not NEO at this stage.

Flights are Thursday // Friday NZ197 departs AKL at 0900 and NZ198 Departs HBA at 12:30.

AKL is soon to become very busy again around 0900 and 1700 daily!

Great news. But looks like Thu and Sun to me! Exceptionally long layover at HBA - 1h 30m - could there be a reason for this?

aerorobnz · Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:12 pm

DavidByrne wrote:
Great news. But looks like Thu and Sun to me! Exceptionally long layover at HBA - 1h 30m - could there be a reason for this?

Currently, travel requires delays to disembarkation until border agencies and MOH allow (even for RAR), cleaning cannot overlap with anyone including crew on board and the whole thing is more intensive so it just takes time. While I can't be sure, I do suspect that this is the main reason.

zkncj · Fri Apr 09, 2021 11:27 pm

aerorobnz wrote:
DavidByrne wrote:
Great news. But looks like Thu and Sun to me! Exceptionally long layover at HBA - 1h 30m - could there be a reason for this?

Currently, travel requires delays to disembarkation until border agencies and MOH allow (even for RAR), cleaning cannot overlap with anyone including crew on board and the whole thing is more intensive so it just takes time. While I can't be sure, I do suspect that this is the main reason.

Probably would be ground staff related too, Customs staff are flying in from Melbourne to process the flight.

So would expect the same staff will process the arriving passengers, then go onto processing the departing passengers.

DavidByrne · Fri Apr 09, 2021 11:44 pm

zkncj wrote:
aerorobnz wrote:
DavidByrne wrote:
Great news. But looks like Thu and Sun to me! Exceptionally long layover at HBA - 1h 30m - could there be a reason for this?

Currently, travel requires delays to disembarkation until border agencies and MOH allow (even for RAR), cleaning cannot overlap with anyone including crew on board and the whole thing is more intensive so it just takes time. While I can't be sure, I do suspect that this is the main reason.

Probably would be ground staff related too, Customs staff are flying in from Melbourne to process the flight.

So would expect the same staff will process the arriving passengers, then go onto processing the departing passengers.

Don't understand that, not that I'm doubting you at all. Surely there are customs (and immigration) staff based in Hobart whose role it is to process shipping arrivals, including the many cruise ships that (pre-pandemic, at least) used to use the port?

NZ6 · Sat Apr 10, 2021 12:51 am

zkncj wrote:
Face coverings required on domestic flights - is it time to let that requirement go?

Seems odd that we are happy to open up to Australia, yet we still required face-masks to be worn on domestic flights in New Zealand.
Surely it should be time to remove that requirement?

It's a bit like using the COVID tracer app when we don't have it. It's a precautionary step incase it's here and we don't yet know it.

If someone flew to X with COVID but wore a mask it reduces the risk to close contacts, if they didn't the web would get cast much wider and well beyond the destination city due to connections etc.

I believe that's the logic anyway.

Probably here until mass vaccinations are done - likely early next year sometime.

PA515 · Sat Apr 10, 2021 2:22 am

DavidByrne wrote:
zkncj wrote:
Looks like Hobart has been put on sale overnight, starting on Thursday 22 April 2021z

Looks like AKL-HBA is operated by an A320CEO and not NEO at this stage.

Flights are Thursday // Friday NZ197 departs AKL at 0900 and NZ198 Departs HBA at 12:30.

AKL is soon to become very busy again around 0900 and 1700 daily!

Great news. But looks like Thu and Sun to me! Exceptionally long layover at HBA - 1h 30m - could there be a reason for this?

MCY was also 1hr 30m. The AKL-HBA 0900/1100, HBA-AKL 1230/1800 initial schedule is likely just until the ground handling experience is bedded in, and the sector times could even reduce by 5 or 10 mins. When I last checked in Jun 2018 there were no QF/JQ/VA aircraft on the ground at HBA between 1015 and 1155.

PA515

zkncj · Sat Apr 10, 2021 2:59 am

PA515 wrote:

MCY was also 1hr 30m. The AKL-HBA 0900/1100, HBA-AKL 1230/1800 initial schedule is likely just until the ground handling experience is bedded in, and the sector times could even reduce by 5 or 10 mins.

Sector times on the Tasman are interesting, looking at OOL-AKL flights today and notice there is an 15minutes variation on this route.

NZ: 3h10m
QF: 3h0m
JQ: 2h55m

I know that the 738s are slightly slower at cruise than an a320. But JQ must of found an turbo charge function on there a320s.... some how they are 15minutes faster than NZ.

jrfspa320 · Sat Apr 10, 2021 3:09 am

It’s actually the other way around, 738 being slightly faster than an A320. It’s probably just LCCs have less padding in the schedules and works the fleet harder

aerorobnz · Sat Apr 10, 2021 3:36 am

PA515 wrote:
MCY was also 1hr 30m.

This jogged my memory, the other thing that MCY and HBA share is that the aircraft holds are bulk loaded by hand which also slows things down. I believe ADL has also become a bulk loaded flight due to change of ground handler. (swissport)

ZK-NBT · Sat Apr 10, 2021 4:11 am

aerorobnz wrote:
PA515 wrote:
MCY was also 1hr 30m.

This jogged my memory, the other thing that MCY and HBA share is that the aircraft holds are bulk loaded by hand which also slows things down. I believe ADL has also become a bulk loaded flight due to change of ground handler. (swissport)

ADL was generally but not always a 789.

ZK-NBT · Sat Apr 10, 2021 4:15 am

zkncj wrote:
PA515 wrote:

MCY was also 1hr 30m. The AKL-HBA 0900/1100, HBA-AKL 1230/1800 initial schedule is likely just until the ground handling experience is bedded in, and the sector times could even reduce by 5 or 10 mins.

Sector times on the Tasman are interesting, looking at OOL-AKL flights today and notice there is an 15minutes variation on this route.

NZ: 3h10m
QF: 3h0m
JQ: 2h55m

I know that the 738s are slightly slower at cruise than an a320. But JQ must of found an turbo charge function on there a320s.... some how they are 15minutes faster than NZ.

Looking at some of the flight times now compared to before COVID, flight times are generally slightly shorter due to less traffic. SYD-AKL used to be blocked at 2h40m-2hr45m in the DC10 742 days. Generally pre covid was 3hr5m-3hr15m range depending on aircraft type and airline.

zkncj · Sat Apr 10, 2021 4:15 am

ZK-NBT wrote:
aerorobnz wrote:
PA515 wrote:
MCY was also 1hr 30m.

This jogged my memory, the other thing that MCY and HBA share is that the aircraft holds are bulk loaded by hand which also slows things down. I believe ADL has also become a bulk loaded flight due to change of ground handler. (swissport)

ADL was generally but not always a 789.

Looks like ADL is starting off with an A321NEO, so that would be fun to bulk load....

Doesn't SwissPort do JQ? wouldn't they have baggage handling equipment for A320s in ADL?

ZK-NBT · Sat Apr 10, 2021 4:19 am

zkncj wrote:
Looks like Hobart has been put on sale overnight, starting on Thursday 22 April 2021z

Looks like AKL-HBA is operated by an A320CEO and not NEO at this stage.

Flights are Thursday // Friday NZ197 departs AKL at 0900 and NZ198 Departs HBA at 12:30.

AKL is soon to become very busy again around 0900 and 1700 daily!

I havn't checked the booking engine but none of the Tasman flights show as NEOs in the schedules, or A321s for that matter. I would imagine HBT will be a NEO given the sector length, there is I think now 3 International CEOs left which are often on domestic.

GW54 · Sat Apr 10, 2021 4:51 am

ZK-NBT wrote:
zkncj wrote:
Looks like Hobart has been put on sale overnight, starting on Thursday 22 April 2021z

Looks like AKL-HBA is operated by an A320CEO and not NEO at this stage.

Flights are Thursday // Friday NZ197 departs AKL at 0900 and NZ198 Departs HBA at 12:30.

AKL is soon to become very busy again around 0900 and 1700 daily!

I havn't checked the booking engine but none of the Tasman flights show as NEOs in the schedules, or A321s for that matter. I would imagine HBT will be a NEO given the sector length, there is I think now 3 International CEOs left which are often on domestic.

Currently 4 Regional A320CEO's still operational. OJB,OJF,OJI and OJM. Currently they do appear on the occasional domestic sectors but usually only 3 or 4 sectors a day and not all 4 on th e same day. I suspect all 4 will revert back to being Regional aircraft primarily supplementing the A320NEO's. Wellington seems to be getting a mix with the CEO's doing Syd. Mel and Bne being covered by a NEO. Suspect the 321's will be pretty busy in and out of Auckland and doing occasional peak domestic sectors as well.

Deepinsider · Sat Apr 10, 2021 11:57 am

zkncj wrote:
PA515 wrote:

MCY was also 1hr 30m. The AKL-HBA 0900/1100, HBA-AKL 1230/1800 initial schedule is likely just until the ground handling experience is bedded in, and the sector times could even reduce by 5 or 10 mins.

Sector times on the Tasman are interesting, looking at OOL-AKL flights today and notice there is an 15minutes variation on this route.

NZ: 3h10m
QF: 3h0m
JQ: 2h55m

I know that the 738s are slightly slower at cruise than an a320. But JQ must of found an turbo charge function on there a320s.... some how they are 15minutes faster than NZ.

A long time ago it was said that for a given route, various international booking systems gave display priority to flights with the shortest flight time.
We must have outgrown these silly games by now though??

Deepinsider · Sat Apr 10, 2021 12:38 pm

zkncj wrote:
PA515 wrote:

MCY was also 1hr 30m. The AKL-HBA 0900/1100, HBA-AKL 1230/1800 initial schedule is likely just until the ground handling experience is bedded in, and the sector times could even reduce by 5 or 10 mins.

Sector times on the Tasman are interesting, looking at OOL-AKL flights today and notice there is an 15minutes variation on this route.

NZ: 3h10m
QF: 3h0m
JQ: 2h55m

I know that the 738s are slightly slower at cruise than an a320. But JQ must of found an turbo charge function on there a320s.... some how they are 15minutes faster than NZ.

Forget Flight Ops and A320 vs 737.... Think Marketing!

PA515 · Sat Apr 10, 2021 12:51 pm

GW54 wrote:
Currently 4 Regional A320CEO's still operational. OJB,OJF,OJI and OJM. Currently they do appear on the occasional domestic sectors but usually only 3 or 4 sectors a day and not all 4 on th e same day. I suspect all 4 will revert back to being Regional aircraft primarily supplementing the A320NEO's. Wellington seems to be getting a mix with the CEO's doing Syd. Mel and Bne being covered by a NEO. Suspect the 321's will be pretty busy in and out of Auckland and doing occasional peak domestic sectors as well.

According to the 2021 Interim Analyst Presentation (slide 27) another Regional A320CEO will leave by 30 Jun 21 and the remaining three by 30 Jun 22. And according to the 2021 Interim Report (page 18) A320NEOs ZK-NHE and ZK-NHF are due for delivery in August and October this year. The first domestic A321NEO is due in Jun 2022. Does anyone know the registration series for the domestic A321NEOs.

PA515

zkncj · Sat Apr 10, 2021 5:59 pm

PA515 wrote:
According to the 2021 Interim Analyst Presentation (slide 27) another Regional A320CEO will leave by 30 Jun 21 and the remaining three by 30 Jun 22. And according to the 2021 Interim Report (page 18) A320NEOs ZK-NHE and ZK-NHF are due for delivery in August and October this year. The first domestic A321NEO is due in Jun 2022. Does anyone know the registration series for the domestic A321NEOs.

I would assume that the leasing companies would be more than open to short-term leases extensions on these a320CEO on favourable terms if required. Not like they are going to have much business at the moment to release them too.

It will be interesting to watch what the configuration ends up being for the domestic a321NEO do they go for the all Y 240 seat fit out?

Or has covid taught them the current a321NEO configuration works not to bad domestically? That would be better to have fleet flexibility and just an pool of 14x a321N than two lots of 7.

tullamarine · Sat Apr 10, 2021 9:34 pm

Deepinsider wrote:
zkncj wrote:
PA515 wrote:

MCY was also 1hr 30m. The AKL-HBA 0900/1100, HBA-AKL 1230/1800 initial schedule is likely just until the ground handling experience is bedded in, and the sector times could even reduce by 5 or 10 mins.

Sector times on the Tasman are interesting, looking at OOL-AKL flights today and notice there is an 15minutes variation on this route.

NZ: 3h10m
QF: 3h0m
JQ: 2h55m

I know that the 738s are slightly slower at cruise than an a320. But JQ must of found an turbo charge function on there a320s.... some how they are 15minutes faster than NZ.

Forget Flight Ops and A320 vs 737.... Think Marketing!

Some airlines are happy to add a few minutes to the scheduled flight times as it enables to improve their on-time performance. In Australia, where an on-time flight is deemed any flight that arrives within 15 minutes of its scheduled arrival time, the SYD-MEL sector has grown from a scheduled block time of 75 minutes in 1990 to 95 minutes today. This suits QF and VA who can boast about the OTP even if it is no better ( and often worse) than it was 30 years ago.

LamboAston · Sat Apr 10, 2021 10:07 pm

aerorobnz wrote:
PA515 wrote:
MCY was also 1hr 30m.

This jogged my memory, the other thing that MCY and HBA share is that the aircraft holds are bulk loaded by hand which also slows things down. I believe ADL has also become a bulk loaded flight due to change of ground handler. (swissport)

HBA isn't bulk load for NZ

aerorobnz · Sun Apr 11, 2021 7:00 am

LamboAston wrote:
aerorobnz wrote:
PA515 wrote:
MCY was also 1hr 30m.

This jogged my memory, the other thing that MCY and HBA share is that the aircraft holds are bulk loaded by hand which also slows things down. I believe ADL has also become a bulk loaded flight due to change of ground handler. (swissport)

HBA isn't bulk load for NZ

That's not what I have seen or heard from the ramp guys and training teams.

NZ516 · Sun Apr 11, 2021 6:28 pm

Just had a look at the revised Tasman schedules out of CHC. CHC SYD 7 two on Fri CHC BNE 5 CHC MEL 8 with two tue and sat. What I noticed is there is no flights on Wed for all routes. The first services on Wed start on 19 May. So it will take time for it to bed down a bit.

mrkerr7474 · Mon Apr 12, 2021 3:14 am

Are Air NZ currently offering inflight entertainment on their flights out of NZ? If so, have they been keeping the content updated or is it before pre covid times to miminise costs?

aerorobnz · Mon Apr 12, 2021 7:00 am

mrkerr7474 wrote:
Are Air NZ currently offering inflight entertainment on their flights out of NZ? If so, have they been keeping the content updated or is it before pre covid times to miminise costs?

I know on my domestic flights with IFE this year it seemed to all be operating as usual.

There have been minor updates I'm sure for the latest episodes in series etc, but as far as I am aware NZ has been cutting back the new release box-office movies for a while (even pre covid). Obviously, the product varies depending on the seat product, works etc.

zkncj · Mon Apr 12, 2021 7:54 am

aerorobnz wrote:
mrkerr7474 wrote:
Are Air NZ currently offering inflight entertainment on their flights out of NZ? If so, have they been keeping the content updated or is it before pre covid times to miminise costs?

I know on my domestic flights with IFE this year it seemed to all be operating as usual.

There have been minor updates I'm sure for the latest episodes in series etc, but as far as I am aware NZ has been cutting back the new release box-office movies for a while (even pre covid). Obviously, the product varies depending on the seat product, works etc.

Add to that the free WIFI is still enabled on the A320/321NEOS, something that allot of airlines cut back on.

mrkerr7474 · Mon Apr 12, 2021 10:13 am

zkncj wrote:
aerorobnz wrote:
mrkerr7474 wrote:
Are Air NZ currently offering inflight entertainment on their flights out of NZ? If so, have they been keeping the content updated or is it before pre covid times to miminise costs?

I know on my domestic flights with IFE this year it seemed to all be operating as usual.

There have been minor updates I'm sure for the latest episodes in series etc, but as far as I am aware NZ has been cutting back the new release box-office movies for a while (even pre covid). Obviously, the product varies depending on the seat product, works etc.

Add to that the free WIFI is still enabled on the A320/321NEOS, something that allot of airlines cut back on.

That's still pretty impressive for them offering those services when majority of airlines probably aren't currently offering as much as they did. Air NZ will definitely have one up on QF across the Tasman as they have no WiFi and no entertainment available.

NZ516 · Mon Apr 12, 2021 10:57 pm

mrkerr7474 wrote:
Are Air NZ currently offering inflight entertainment on their flights out of NZ? If so, have they been keeping the content updated or is it before pre covid times to miminise costs?

I watched an entire movie once while on a INT 320 ZKOJH going AKL to CHC. As the flight was delayed before take off I was in my seat with it playing for 1 hr 35.

mrkerr7474 · Tue Apr 13, 2021 3:11 am

NZ516 wrote:
mrkerr7474 wrote:
Are Air NZ currently offering inflight entertainment on their flights out of NZ? If so, have they been keeping the content updated or is it before pre covid times to miminise costs?

I watched an entire movie once while on a INT 320 ZKOJH going AKL to CHC. As the flight was delayed before take off I was in my seat with it playing for 1 hr 35.

That is pretty awesome really that you were able to do that during your delay

LamboAston · Tue Apr 13, 2021 10:31 pm

aerorobnz wrote:
LamboAston wrote:
aerorobnz wrote:

This jogged my memory, the other thing that MCY and HBA share is that the aircraft holds are bulk loaded by hand which also slows things down. I believe ADL has also become a bulk loaded flight due to change of ground handler. (swissport)

HBA isn't bulk load for NZ

That's not what I have seen or heard from the ramp guys and training teams.

I was told my information by someone on the ramp there too. Apparently ULD capability was a condition of starting the route

77west · Tue Apr 13, 2021 11:52 pm

How does FedEx ship from Australia to NZ? I don't see any flights on their own metal so I assume they buy capacity on NZ/QF or the DHL bird.

ZK-NBT · Wed Apr 14, 2021 12:04 am

77west wrote:
How does FedEx ship from Australia to NZ? I don't see any flights on their own metal so I assume they buy capacity on NZ/QF or the DHL bird.

Haven’t they been using a toll 737? Or was that DHL? Who is using the Olympus 757? I can’t remember.

aerorobnz · Wed Apr 14, 2021 12:30 am

ZK-NBT wrote:
77west wrote:
How does FedEx ship from Australia to NZ? I don't see any flights on their own metal so I assume they buy capacity on NZ/QF or the DHL bird.

Haven’t they been using a toll 737? Or was that DHL? Who is using the Olympus 757? I can’t remember.

Basically any trans-Tasman AWK flight number is FX. This includes 734/752

T

77west · Wed Apr 14, 2021 1:16 am

aerorobnz wrote:
ZK-NBT wrote:
77west wrote:
How does FedEx ship from Australia to NZ? I don't see any flights on their own metal so I assume they buy capacity on NZ/QF or the DHL bird.

Haven’t they been using a toll 737? Or was that DHL? Who is using the Olympus 757? I can’t remember.

Basically any trans-Tasman AWK flight number is FX. This includes 734/752

T

Cool thanks. I have some parcels coming and was just wondering.

ZaphodHarkonnen · Wed Apr 14, 2021 3:03 am

Interesting. I didn't know this was done every 5 years. https://i.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/30027 ... passengers

PA515 · Wed Apr 14, 2021 7:54 am

Found some 12 Apr 2021 photos of ZK-NEG at NSN without engines and the comment:
"NEG is just being used for parts because there are long lead-in times for parts from overseas"

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2021/04 ... going.html

PA515

zkncj · Wed Apr 14, 2021 10:16 am

ZaphodHarkonnen wrote:
Interesting. I didn't know this was done every 5 years. https://i.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/30027 ... passengers

The average passenger probably went up in few kilos in 2020, after all that lockdown baking

ZaphodHarkonnen · Thu Apr 15, 2021 2:01 am

I'm sure this will shock people.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/440 ... a-air-plan

NZ6 · Thu Apr 15, 2021 3:25 am

ZaphodHarkonnen wrote:
I'm sure this will shock people. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/440 ... a-air-plan

I would like to tell you "I told you so" re not getting off the ground but I'm not sure if anyone disagreed with me :rotfl:

aerorobnz · Thu Apr 15, 2021 3:55 am

NZ6 wrote:
ZaphodHarkonnen wrote:
I'm sure this will shock people. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/440 ... a-air-plan

I would like to tell you "I told you so" re not getting off the ground but I'm not sure if anyone disagreed with me

I think it is the one topic in this forum we unanimously agreed on. Not fleet orders, not route prospects, not govt lockdown protocols, not catering or cleaning standards nor competition. and fare prices. That's quite a consensus

It goes to show there is still hope for a partisan world... :lol:

VirginFlyer · Thu Apr 15, 2021 4:34 am

Meanwhile on the other end of the spectrum there is some welcome news from New Zealand's other international airline; if you go to the Air Chathams website there is a new picture on the front page linking to this:

We're heading back to Norfolk Island

Following the announcement of the trans-Tasman bubble, we're excited to announce that we're resuming flights to and from Norfolk Island from May 27th.

Our timetable has been adjusted to see us flying from New Zealand to Norfolk Island on Thursdays departing Auckland at 10:30am allowing easy connections from domestic flights. Flights will arrive back into Auckland at 4:45pm, again allowing for easy transit to destinations outside of Auckland.

We'll also be introducing a new aircraft type on this route - the Saab 340. If you've travelled between Auckland and Whanganui or Kapiti with us before, you'll have experienced the comfortable and spacious interior of this popular aircraft that will be flying with our famous inflight service of Tim Tams!

Norfolk Island, always a popular short-haul holiday escape for New Zealanders, has remained virus-free through the global pandemic and offers visitors everything needed to relax the mind, enjoy a special holiday and escape from crowds.

With safety and health on everyone's minds and, while the island continues to deliver outdoor, culinary, or historical experiences, there is even more of a focus now on wellbeing.

The island is an ideal spot for a retreat to relax and revive, reconnect to earth and oneself, enjoy nature and participate in adrenalin-rushing or soothing activity and adventure.

https://sh1.sendinblue.com/vdneggmett7e ... 1618455077

Additionally, they've announced a second weekly rotation on Mondays, starting on the 2nd of August. Exciting news for Norfolk Island!

V/F

tullamarine · Thu Apr 15, 2021 5:01 am

VirginFlyer wrote:
Meanwhile on the other end of the spectrum there is some welcome news from New Zealand's other international airline; if you go to the Air Chathams website there is a new picture on the front page linking to this:

We're heading back to Norfolk Island

Following the announcement of the trans-Tasman bubble, we're excited to announce that we're resuming flights to and from Norfolk Island from May 27th.

Our timetable has been adjusted to see us flying from New Zealand to Norfolk Island on Thursdays departing Auckland at 10:30am allowing easy connections from domestic flights. Flights will arrive back into Auckland at 4:45pm, again allowing for easy transit to destinations outside of Auckland.

We'll also be introducing a new aircraft type on this route - the Saab 340. If you've travelled between Auckland and Whanganui or Kapiti with us before, you'll have experienced the comfortable and spacious interior of this popular aircraft that will be flying with our famous inflight service of Tim Tams!

Norfolk Island, always a popular short-haul holiday escape for New Zealanders, has remained virus-free through the global pandemic and offers visitors everything needed to relax the mind, enjoy a special holiday and escape from crowds.

With safety and health on everyone's minds and, while the island continues to deliver outdoor, culinary, or historical experiences, there is even more of a focus now on wellbeing.

The island is an ideal spot for a retreat to relax and revive, reconnect to earth and oneself, enjoy nature and participate in adrenalin-rushing or soothing activity and adventure.

https://sh1.sendinblue.com/vdneggmett7e ... 1618455077

Additionally, they've announced a second weekly rotation on Mondays, starting on the 2nd of August. Exciting news for Norfolk Island!

V/F

Am I reading this correctly? NLK-AKL 1090kms over the ocean on a Saab 340B! Count me out!!!

DavidByrne · Thu Apr 15, 2021 6:21 am

tullamarine wrote:
VirginFlyer wrote:
Meanwhile on the other end of the spectrum there is some welcome news from New Zealand's other international airline; if you go to the Air Chathams website there is a new picture on the front page linking to this:

We're heading back to Norfolk Island

Following the announcement of the trans-Tasman bubble, we're excited to announce that we're resuming flights to and from Norfolk Island from May 27th.

Our timetable has been adjusted to see us flying from New Zealand to Norfolk Island on Thursdays departing Auckland at 10:30am allowing easy connections from domestic flights. Flights will arrive back into Auckland at 4:45pm, again allowing for easy transit to destinations outside of Auckland.

We'll also be introducing a new aircraft type on this route - the Saab 340. If you've travelled between Auckland and Whanganui or Kapiti with us before, you'll have experienced the comfortable and spacious interior of this popular aircraft that will be flying with our famous inflight service of Tim Tams!

Norfolk Island, always a popular short-haul holiday escape for New Zealanders, has remained virus-free through the global pandemic and offers visitors everything needed to relax the mind, enjoy a special holiday and escape from crowds.

With safety and health on everyone's minds and, while the island continues to deliver outdoor, culinary, or historical experiences, there is even more of a focus now on wellbeing.

The island is an ideal spot for a retreat to relax and revive, reconnect to earth and oneself, enjoy nature and participate in adrenalin-rushing or soothing activity and adventure.

https://sh1.sendinblue.com/vdneggmett7e ... 1618455077

Additionally, they've announced a second weekly rotation on Mondays, starting on the 2nd of August. Exciting news for Norfolk Island!

V/F

Am I reading this correctly? NLK-AKL 1090kms over the ocean on a Saab 340B! Count me out!!!

It's only marginally further than AKL-CHT, and only a bit further on the actual over water portion. I understand that 3C has used the 340 on some Chathams services recently. Just to put it in context: my parents flew to NLK for their honeymoon in 1952 - on an NAC DC3.

I think that this is a smart move by 3C - around half the size of an AT7/580 and twice the frequency. I suspect that a weekly flight (which they have been operating since they took on the route) would have seriously limited the potential market.

zkncj · Thu Apr 15, 2021 8:35 am

tullamarine wrote:
VirginFlyer wrote:
Meanwhile on the other end of the spectrum there is some welcome news from New Zealand's other international airline; if you go to the Air Chathams website there is a new picture on the front page linking to this:

We're heading back to Norfolk Island

Following the announcement of the trans-Tasman bubble, we're excited to announce that we're resuming flights to and from Norfolk Island from May 27th.

Our timetable has been adjusted to see us flying from New Zealand to Norfolk Island on Thursdays departing Auckland at 10:30am allowing easy connections from domestic flights. Flights will arrive back into Auckland at 4:45pm, again allowing for easy transit to destinations outside of Auckland.

We'll also be introducing a new aircraft type on this route - the Saab 340. If you've travelled between Auckland and Whanganui or Kapiti with us before, you'll have experienced the comfortable and spacious interior of this popular aircraft that will be flying with our famous inflight service of Tim Tams!

Norfolk Island, always a popular short-haul holiday escape for New Zealanders, has remained virus-free through the global pandemic and offers visitors everything needed to relax the mind, enjoy a special holiday and escape from crowds.

With safety and health on everyone's minds and, while the island continues to deliver outdoor, culinary, or historical experiences, there is even more of a focus now on wellbeing.

The island is an ideal spot for a retreat to relax and revive, reconnect to earth and oneself, enjoy nature and participate in adrenalin-rushing or soothing activity and adventure.

https://sh1.sendinblue.com/vdneggmett7e ... 1618455077

Additionally, they've announced a second weekly rotation on Mondays, starting on the 2nd of August. Exciting news for Norfolk Island!

V/F

Am I reading this correctly? NLK-AKL 1090kms over the ocean on a Saab 340B! Count me out!!!

Pre-Covid-19 it was an 1950s CV580......

zkncj · Thu Apr 15, 2021 8:32 pm

https://i.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/124839856/transtasman-bubbles-unintended-consquence-returning-kiwis-transit-flights-through-australia-cancelled

With QF/NZ both stoping red flights on the Tasman from this weekend, it has caused an bit of flack for both of them.

Surely though it would not be commercially viable anymore to operate Red Flights on the Tasman? Wouldn’t the loads now only been a few passengers per flight?

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