New Zealand Aviation - February 2023

ChrisPBacon · Sun Feb 12, 2023 4:34 pm

SFwatchTower wrote:
Looks like ANZ1 is diverting to RAR

It's on the ground there now:

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/ANZ ... /KJFK/NCRG

I'm not sure I understand the thought process of sending a ULH flight towards AKL. Looking at the NZ Met Service, it looks like this flight and Gabrielle were going to arrive at nearly the same time. Was this a planned diversion? I hope ANZ planned for this and have plans in place to take care of the pax and crew for at least 24 hours. (I'll assume crew rest and no ability to send a replacement crew from AKL due to Gabrielle).

NZ516 · Sun Feb 12, 2023 5:35 pm

ZK-NBT wrote:
http://www.departedflights.com/AKL83p1.html
CX operated on a Wednesday ex AKL in July 1983
STA 1345
STD 1510

http://www.departedflights.com/AKL80p1.html
NZ operated to HKG 2 weekly D10 in March 1980

NZ first flew to HKG in 1966 from what I can see with DC8s via SYD possibly a service via SIN- MNL at some point? AKL-HKG non stop DC10 services started in 1978.

I think the deal with PX ended in the mid 1980s? While NZ/CX ran 6 months each on a weekly basis? NZ/CX still ran a weekly flight each in Jan 1989 with a codeshare.

http://www.departedflights.com/AKL89p1.html

I think they went their seperate ways about 1991, at which time frequency increased and reasonably quickly through the 1990s to CX having a daily A343 by 1997 and NZ by the early 2000s with a 763.

Great research on the history of the schedules thanks for sharing the links ZK-NBT.
Interesting looking at the 1983 one:

The AKL- HLZ route had like 9 flights per day back then. With both Eagle Air and Air NZ flying it. No seats today however.
Air Nauru twice a week to INU they also flew to PPG.and Niue
AIR Pacific flew to TBU, NAN and SUV
Both JL and NZ flew to NRT via NAN
Mount Cook (NM) and Air NZ competed on AKL- CHC
NM flew to ROT and ZQN
Qantas flew to DRW with a weekly 747 via TSV
Pan Am flew 3 pw 747 to JFK with 2 stops HNL and LAX
Wairarapa flew to MRO
Both NZ and Bell Air flew to WHK
NZ flew just a weekly 747 to RAR.
Air Charter flew to Great Barrier island

So many interesting routes and destinations no longer served how things have changed

77west · Mon Feb 13, 2023 4:36 am

Any pictures of all the ATR/Q300 parked up? What/where are they doing with the domestic jet fleet?

planemanofnz · Mon Feb 13, 2023 4:45 am

NZ516 wrote:
The AKL- HLZ route had like 9 flights per day back then. With both Eagle Air and Air NZ flying it. No seats today however.

This route is coming back once NZ gets its new electric aircraft.

NZ516 wrote:
AIR Pacific flew to ... SUV

They maintained the service for a long time - until last year in fact.

NZ516 wrote:
Qantas flew to DRW with a weekly 747 via TSV

I can see one or both of these coming back - with a 220/320/321.

77west · Mon Feb 13, 2023 5:58 am

planemanofnz wrote:
NZ516 wrote:
The AKL- HLZ route had like 9 flights per day back then. With both Eagle Air and Air NZ flying it. No seats today however.

This route is coming back once NZ gets its new electric aircraft.

I hope so. As good as the new motorway is, it was quite handy in the day to be dropped off at HLZ 20mins from home and be able to connect pretty much anywhere from there.

Kiwings · Mon Feb 13, 2023 6:25 am

A new cargo airline based in NZL ?
https://simpleflying.com/texel-air-boei ... 1676254416

aerohottie · Mon Feb 13, 2023 6:56 am

Anyone else watching this LATAM 787 coming in to land on FlightRadar24? Wild

https://www.flightradar24.com/LAN800/2f2de2e1

NZ516 · Mon Feb 13, 2023 2:41 pm

Kiwings wrote:
A new cargo airline based in NZL ?
https://simpleflying.com/texel-air-boei ... 1676254416

Wow this is unexpected and I'm surprised there is enough demand for a new cargo airline to service the Tasman market.
Nice looking aircraft they have 5 737s in their fleet with two more on order.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texel_Air

NZ516 · Mon Feb 13, 2023 2:49 pm

77west wrote:
planemanofnz wrote:
NZ516 wrote:
The AKL- HLZ route had like 9 flights per day back then. With both Eagle Air and Air NZ flying it. No seats today however.

This route is coming back once NZ gets its new electric aircraft.

I hope so. As good as the new motorway is, it was quite handy in the day to be dropped off at HLZ 20mins from home and be able to connect pretty much anywhere from there.

There must have been a lot of demand back in the 1980s to support so many flights. Especially with all the international connection traffic to and from AKL. They probably wanted to bring the route back but never had the right aircraft to do it.
I wonder if the new electric planes can do both AKL- HLZ and AKL- MRO.

NZ516 · Mon Feb 13, 2023 4:04 pm

Air NZ said some international flights did make it to AKL with 4 landed so far. The plan was to send them to CHC but a lack of space and not enough hotel rooms was the deal breaker.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/131 ... nd-airport

NZ801 · Mon Feb 13, 2023 7:04 pm

NZ516 wrote:
Air NZ said some international flights did make it to AKL with 4 landed so far. The plan was to send them to CHC but a lack of space and not enough hotel rooms was the deal breaker.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/131 ... nd-airport

That’s from yesterday. And deal breaker isn’t my interpretation. More that we’ll do it if we have too but CHC has its challenges too.

EK413 · Mon Feb 13, 2023 7:09 pm

Heard on the grape vine AKL could receive their 1st scheduled QF whale 15th February due to the disruptions and backlog of passengers

ZKNZR · Mon Feb 13, 2023 7:24 pm

Kiwings wrote:
A new cargo airline based in NZL ?
https://simpleflying.com/texel-air-boei ... 1676254416

Texel Air based in Bahrain, owned by parent company Chisholm Enterprises which is run by a collection of New Zealanders and headed by John Chisholm who is based in New Zealand. Seems plausible!

ZK-NBT · Mon Feb 13, 2023 7:59 pm

NZ801 wrote:
NZ516 wrote:
Air NZ said some international flights did make it to AKL with 4 landed so far. The plan was to send them to CHC but a lack of space and not enough hotel rooms was the deal breaker.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/131 ... nd-airport

That’s from yesterday. And deal breaker isn’t my interpretation. More that we’ll do it if we have too but CHC has its challenges too.

Several due in today (Tuesday) from 11-1230 or so
NZ3 LAX 77W
NZ27 ORD 789
NZ6073 YVR 789 (Yesterday service)
NZ23 YVR 789
NZ6055 RAR 789 (Yesterday JFK diversion, would have picked up pax stranded)

Additional or rescheduled international flights
EK9448 A380 ( In Addition to todays scheduled service)
SQ281 359 ( (last nights service)
AC2139 789 (in addition to todays scheduled service)
SQ9281 77W (in addition to todays scheduled Service

Probably more to come.

ZK-NBT · Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:25 pm

Several NZ International services getting underway.

NZ123 77W ZK-OKN MEL
NZ99 789 ZK-NZD NRT
NZ81 789 ZK-NZJ HKG
NZ101 321 ZN-NNG SYD
NZ187 320 ZK-NHB OOL
NZ946 321 ZK-NND RAR

77west · Tue Feb 14, 2023 3:33 am

aaaand all flights cancelled again for remainder of today at AKL.

EK413 · Tue Feb 14, 2023 3:56 am

EK413 wrote:
Heard on the grape vine AKL could receive their 1st scheduled QF whale 15th February due to the disruptions and backlog of passengers

QF143/QF146 15FEB has been upgraded to an A380…

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

aerokiwi · Tue Feb 14, 2023 4:14 am

77west wrote:
aaaand all flights cancelled again for remainder of today at AKL.

Air NZ domestic only at this stage. International is supposed to still be happening but baggage handling on hold pending wind gusts reducing.

Have just connected from Dallas and awaiting Melbour flight so fingers crossed. Overflowing airline lounges and zero updates from Qantas staff making for nervous passengers.

ZKNZR · Tue Feb 14, 2023 4:30 am

aerokiwi wrote:
77west wrote:
aaaand all flights cancelled again for remainder of today at AKL.

Air NZ domestic only at this stage. International is supposed to still be happening but baggage handling on hold pending wind gusts reducing.

Have just connected from Dallas and awaiting Melbour flight so fingers crossed. Overflowing airline lounges and zero updates from Qantas staff making for nervous passengers.

Looks like the winds are causing trouble. QR managed to land but LA looks like it’s heading back to SYD, and both QF and NZ flights are diverting back to SYD. NZ in from HNL also diverting to CHC.

backfiah · Tue Feb 14, 2023 4:38 am

ZKNZR wrote:
LA looks like it’s heading back to SYD

They must be carrying a *lot* of extra fuel (!)

77west · Tue Feb 14, 2023 4:48 am

ZKNZR wrote:
aerokiwi wrote:
77west wrote:
aaaand all flights cancelled again for remainder of today at AKL.

Air NZ domestic only at this stage. International is supposed to still be happening but baggage handling on hold pending wind gusts reducing.

Have just connected from Dallas and awaiting Melbour flight so fingers crossed. Overflowing airline lounges and zero updates from Qantas staff making for nervous passengers.

Looks like the winds are causing trouble. QR managed to land but LA looks like it’s heading back to SYD, and both QF and NZ flights are diverting back to SYD. NZ in from HNL also diverting to CHC.

AirAsia X just leaving a holding pattern and looks to be trying to shoot an approach. What a mess

backfiah · Tue Feb 14, 2023 4:59 am

NOTAM shows AKL is now shut for arrivals until midnight:

B0936/23 FROM: 14 FEB 2023 04:30 TO: 14 FEB 2023 10:59
RWY 05R/23L CLSD TO SKED PASSENGER ARRIVING FLIGHTS

in addition, taxiways D, D3 and D4 are closed due due to aircraft having to park on them...

ZK-NBT · Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:04 am

backfiah wrote:
NOTAM shows AKL is now shut for arrivals until midnight:

B0936/23 FROM: 14 FEB 2023 04:30 TO: 14 FEB 2023 10:59
RWY 05R/23L CLSD TO SKED PASSENGER ARRIVING FLIGHTS

in addition, taxiways D, D3 and D4 are closed due due to aircraft having to park on them...

Crazy aye.

NZ124 MEL-AKL ZK-OKN 77W
NZ104 SYD-AKL ZK-OKS 77W
NZ188 OOL-AKL ZK-NHB 32N
CI51 BNE-AKL B-18910 359

All turned back to Australia.

77west · Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:14 am

Looks like TMN9 was the last one in (DHL from SYD). FJI410 looks to be attempting departure in a few mins. That's probably it then. (That said it mentioned passenger flights, so cargo may yet go ahead?)

Kiwiandrew · Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:15 am

ZK-NBT wrote:
backfiah wrote:
NOTAM shows AKL is now shut for arrivals until midnight:

B0936/23 FROM: 14 FEB 2023 04:30 TO: 14 FEB 2023 10:59
RWY 05R/23L CLSD TO SKED PASSENGER ARRIVING FLIGHTS

in addition, taxiways D, D3 and D4 are closed due due to aircraft having to park on them...

Crazy aye.

NZ124 MEL-AKL ZK-OKN 77W
NZ104 SYD-AKL ZK-OKS 77W
NZ188 OOL-AKL ZK-NHB 32N
CI51 BNE-AKL B-18910 359

All turned back to Australia.

The OOL-AKL flight looks like it's heading to WLG instead

aerokiwi · Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:16 am

Ugh just announced all departing flights now cancelled today.

TEALflyer · Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:19 am

ZK-NBT wrote:

Crazy aye.

NZ124 MEL-AKL ZK-OKN 77W
NZ104 SYD-AKL ZK-OKS 77W
NZ188 OOL-AKL ZK-NHB 32N
CI51 BNE-AKL B-18910 359

All turned back to Australia.

Looks like NZ188 is heading to WLG
and NZ102 (SYD-AKL) is heading to CHC

NZ6071 (IAH-AKL) is about 1:40 out, not sure where it’ll end up heading…
Update: looks like it might be diverting to NAN.

CI53 (BNE-AKL) looks to have turned back to Australia

qf789 · Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:33 am

TEALflyer wrote:
ZK-NBT wrote:

Crazy aye.

NZ124 MEL-AKL ZK-OKN 77W
NZ104 SYD-AKL ZK-OKS 77W
NZ188 OOL-AKL ZK-NHB 32N
CI51 BNE-AKL B-18910 359

All turned back to Australia.

Looks like NZ188 is heading to WLG
and NZ102 (SYD-AKL) is heading to CHC

NZ6071 (IAH-AKL) is about 1:40 out, not sure where it’ll end up heading…

CI53 (BNE-AKL) looks to have turned back to Australia

NZ6071 looks to be heading to NAN

Also NZ945 returning to RAR

HA445 still heading towards AKL

ZK-NBT · Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:38 am

Kiwiandrew wrote:
ZK-NBT wrote:
backfiah wrote:
NOTAM shows AKL is now shut for arrivals until midnight:

B0936/23 FROM: 14 FEB 2023 04:30 TO: 14 FEB 2023 10:59
RWY 05R/23L CLSD TO SKED PASSENGER ARRIVING FLIGHTS

in addition, taxiways D, D3 and D4 are closed due due to aircraft having to park on them...

Crazy aye.

NZ124 MEL-AKL ZK-OKN 77W
NZ104 SYD-AKL ZK-OKS 77W
NZ188 OOL-AKL ZK-NHB 32N
CI51 BNE-AKL B-18910 359

All turned back to Australia.

The OOL-AKL flight looks like it's heading to WLG instead

Yes that was a typo. Thank you for the correction.

NZ801 · Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:50 am

TEALflyer wrote:
ZK-NBT wrote:

Crazy aye.

NZ124 MEL-AKL ZK-OKN 77W
NZ104 SYD-AKL ZK-OKS 77W
NZ188 OOL-AKL ZK-NHB 32N
CI51 BNE-AKL B-18910 359

All turned back to Australia.

Looks like NZ188 is heading to WLG
and NZ102 (SYD-AKL) is heading to CHC

NZ6071 (IAH-AKL) is about 1:40 out, not sure where it’ll end up heading…
Update: looks like it might be diverting to NAN.

CI53 (BNE-AKL) looks to have turned back to Australia

NZ6071 is headed for NAN.

zkncj · Tue Feb 14, 2023 6:15 am

https://www.flightradar24.com/LAN800/2f30bf9f

LA800 looks like did a loop of AKL, and now returning to SYD. Nice 6-7hr SYD-SYD flight for those pax.

77west · Tue Feb 14, 2023 6:36 am

2x ACA flights launched, the delayed one from yesterday and todays one, both to YVR. How many planes were on the ground at AKL - must have been packed.

ZK-NBT · Tue Feb 14, 2023 6:55 am

77west wrote:
2x ACA flights launched, the delayed one from yesterday and todays one, both to YVR. How many planes were on the ground at AKL - must have been packed.

Not to sure how many aircraft on the ground, hard to keep track unless you are at the airport.

4 SQ flights, it doesn’t look like SQ286 has managed to depart, there was an additional 77W as well SQ9281/9282 which also doesn’t look to have departed so both still on the ground. Last nights SQ281 arrived at 0800 this morning and then tonight’s SQ281 due 2350 if it can get in.

QR also had a 77F which is due to come back.

QF A380 Wednesday afternoon, UA will be a 77W as well. I would imagine there will be some other additional flights.

mrkerr7474 · Tue Feb 14, 2023 8:42 am

HA445 from HNL to AKL looks like it's heading across the Tasman to presumably SYD!

77west · Tue Feb 14, 2023 8:43 am

ZK-NBT wrote:
77west wrote:
2x ACA flights launched, the delayed one from yesterday and todays one, both to YVR. How many planes were on the ground at AKL - must have been packed.

Not to sure how many aircraft on the ground, hard to keep track unless you are at the airport.

4 SQ flights, it doesn’t look like SQ286 has managed to depart, there was an additional 77W as well SQ9281/9282 which also doesn’t look to have departed so both still on the ground. Last nights SQ281 arrived at 0800 this morning and then tonight’s SQ281 due 2350 if it can get in.

QR also had a 77F which is due to come back.

QF A380 Wednesday afternoon, UA will be a 77W as well. I would imagine there will be some other additional flights.

Will be a crazy few days at AKL for sure. I see HAL445 is diverting to SYD it appears - do they carry that level of diversion fuel or was it expected before departure? Diverting SYD seems extreme. I guess CHC and WLG are all full.

planemanofnz · Tue Feb 14, 2023 8:55 am

77west wrote:
... I guess CHC and WLG are all full.

Are they the only options in NZ? HLZ?

ZK-NBT · Tue Feb 14, 2023 9:02 am

77west wrote:
ZK-NBT wrote:
77west wrote:
2x ACA flights launched, the delayed one from yesterday and todays one, both to YVR. How many planes were on the ground at AKL - must have been packed.

Not to sure how many aircraft on the ground, hard to keep track unless you are at the airport.

4 SQ flights, it doesn’t look like SQ286 has managed to depart, there was an additional 77W as well SQ9281/9282 which also doesn’t look to have departed so both still on the ground. Last nights SQ281 arrived at 0800 this morning and then tonight’s SQ281 due 2350 if it can get in.

QR also had a 77F which is due to come back.

QF A380 Wednesday afternoon, UA will be a 77W as well. I would imagine there will be some other additional flights.

Will be a crazy few days at AKL for sure. I see HAL445 is diverting to SYD it appears - do they carry that level of diversion fuel or was it expected before departure? Diverting SYD seems extreme. I guess CHC and WLG are all full.

SQ281 turned back to SIN. HA I think would have just carried additional fuel today given SYD is a port they serve. CHC and WLG are probably full enough but would have to have some space wouldn’t they for diversions still, at least CHC.

ZK-NBT · Tue Feb 14, 2023 9:05 am

planemanofnz wrote:
77west wrote:
... I guess CHC and WLG are all full.

Are they the only options in NZ? HLZ?

For an A330, probably OHA but that isn’t ideal at night neither is HLZ, not sure HLZ can take an A330 even in a diversion? What to do with the pax at HLZ or OHA? SYD maybe they will land change crew and leave again if things improve?

planemanofnz · Tue Feb 14, 2023 9:16 am

ZK-NBT wrote:
planemanofnz wrote:
77west wrote:
... I guess CHC and WLG are all full.

Are they the only options in NZ? HLZ?

For an A330, probably OHA but that isn’t ideal at night neither is HLZ, not sure HLZ can take an A330 even in a diversion? What to do with the pax at HLZ or OHA? SYD maybe they will land change crew and leave again if things improve?

Well Hamilton is our fourth biggest city, so presumably sufficient accommodation for a flight (or two). It's also close enough to AKL and Port of Tauranga, that border agencies can have their staff drive and be there in less than two hours to process the passengers (and/or close enough to drive the pax to AKL by road). But the runway could be an issue (I think 767s are the limit for HLZ).

77west · Tue Feb 14, 2023 9:22 am

ZK-NBT wrote:
planemanofnz wrote:
77west wrote:
... I guess CHC and WLG are all full.

Are they the only options in NZ? HLZ?

For an A330, probably OHA but that isn’t ideal at night neither is HLZ, not sure HLZ can take an A330 even in a diversion? What to do with the pax at HLZ or OHA? SYD maybe they will land change crew and leave again if things improve?

HLZ could technically take an A330 if it had to, but not ideal, the turnaround bays max out at B757/B767 from what I understand, and the terminal guidelines are not marked for anything that big. As well as the fact there are no customs etc. Of course in an emergency they could accept an A380 if they had to, now that would be a sight to behold.. Does not mean it could park at the terminal however. I do think HLZ would do well to improved its runway, taxiways and ground handling to be able to deal with diversions but I guess they don't get paid unless the airport is actually used, and the proximity to AKL means severe weather there would probably affect HLZ as well.

planemanofnz · Tue Feb 14, 2023 9:51 am

77west wrote:
HLZ could technically take an A330 if it had to

Could it? I thought pavement strength may be an issue.

zkojq · Tue Feb 14, 2023 9:58 am

DUDtoDFW wrote:
- Much less competition in Pacific, RAR has 55% fewer non-NZ seats than pre-covid, and all non-stop competition to DPS, TBU, APW disappeared

What competition was there to TBU prior to Covid19?

NZ516 wrote:
The Pilot association is asking why the AKL runway was kept open during the flooding event on the 27th of Jan.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/131116 ... g-flooding

This is an alarming quote:

"They were furious... Commercial expediency overrode safety. There was significant pressure from the airport company to remain open until the terminal flooded, and they were unable to process passengers.”

Good. The other events of that night (and the following day) meant the media never went after the airport hard on this, which they should have.

ZKNZR wrote:
Texel Air based in Bahrain, owned by parent company Chisholm Enterprises which is run by a collection of New Zealanders and headed by John Chisholm who is based in New Zealand. Seems plausible!

Interesting, I wasn't aware of this. Cheers.

ZK-NBT · Tue Feb 14, 2023 10:03 am

zkojq wrote:
DUDtoDFW wrote:
- Much less competition in Pacific, RAR has 55% fewer non-NZ seats than pre-covid, and all non-stop competition to DPS, TBU, APW disappeared

What competition was there to TBU prior to Covid19?

NZ516 wrote:
The Pilot association is asking why the AKL runway was kept open during the flooding event on the 27th of Jan.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/131116 ... g-flooding

This is an alarming quote:

"They were furious... Commercial expediency overrode safety. There was significant pressure from the airport company to remain open until the terminal flooded, and they were unable to process passengers.”

Good. The other events of that night (and the following day) meant the media never went after the airport hard on this, which they should have.

ZKNZR wrote:
Texel Air based in Bahrain, owned by parent company Chisholm Enterprises which is run by a collection of New Zealanders and headed by John Chisholm who is based in New Zealand. Seems plausible!

Interesting, I wasn't aware of this. Cheers.

VA flew AKL-TBU, 2x weekly iirc.

NZ516 · Tue Feb 14, 2023 2:06 pm

planemanofnz wrote:
77west wrote:
... I guess CHC and WLG are all full.

Are they the only options in NZ? HLZ?

CHC is not full it's got heaps of ramp space. It took 9 wide bodies last time and several 737/320s and still had spare unused spots.

NZ516 · Tue Feb 14, 2023 3:48 pm

77west wrote:
planemanofnz wrote:
NZ516 wrote:
The AKL- HLZ route had like 9 flights per day back then. With both Eagle Air and Air NZ flying it. No seats today however.

This route is coming back once NZ gets its new electric aircraft.

I hope so. As good as the new motorway is, it was quite handy in the day to be dropped off at HLZ 20mins from home and be able to connect pretty much anywhere from there.

The convenience factor will make it attractive to many in HLZ. Especially with someone who has travelled long haul 20+ hours to AKL they will want a quick 25 min hop home instead of a long drive. Back in the 1983 timetable there must have been 150+ seats a day on the 9 flights between AKL- HLZ so demand must have been there. Even though both AKL and HLZ were much smaller than they are both today.

mrkerr7474 · Tue Feb 14, 2023 7:02 pm

NZ516 wrote:
planemanofnz wrote:
77west wrote:
... I guess CHC and WLG are all full.

Are they the only options in NZ? HLZ?

CHC is not full it's got heaps of ramp space. It took 9 wide bodies last time and several 737/320s and still had spare unused spots.

It's probably more a fact that SYD deals with HA on the daily basis so will have staff there to assist with the diversion / booking hotels whereas WLG and CHC don't receive HA services so will have no staff to assist with the diversion and hotels etc

77west · Tue Feb 14, 2023 7:47 pm

NZ516 wrote:
77west wrote:
planemanofnz wrote:

This route is coming back once NZ gets its new electric aircraft.

I hope so. As good as the new motorway is, it was quite handy in the day to be dropped off at HLZ 20mins from home and be able to connect pretty much anywhere from there.

The convenience factor will make it attractive to many in HLZ. Especially with someone who has travelled long haul 20+ hours to AKL they will want a quick 25 min hop home instead of a long drive. Back in the 1983 timetable there must have been 150+ seats a day on the 9 flights between AKL- HLZ so demand must have been there. Even though both AKL and HLZ were much smaller than they are both today.

Agreed. That said, the road back then was a cart track compared to the expressway today. We managed Hillcrest Hamilton to AKL Domestic terminal in 1hr 10 the other weekend. That was with light traffic though to be fair. Agreed though the convenience factor would make me choose a short hop over the drive any day.

ZaphodHarkonnen · Tue Feb 14, 2023 8:58 pm

Good little article on flights yesterday that diverted back to departure locations while trying to get to AKL.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300 ... n-auckland

Singapore had an 8 hour flight from SIN to SIN.

As for HLZ-AKL. That sort of route is a killer feature for battery electric aircraft like the ES-30. Expect a lot of similar sorts of routes to start as those enter service.

mrkerr7474 · Tue Feb 14, 2023 11:52 pm

A380 VH-OQJ operating QF143 SYD-AKL as I type this

NZ516 · Wed Feb 15, 2023 12:15 am

ZaphodHarkonnen wrote:
Good little article on flights yesterday that diverted back to departure locations while trying to get to AKL.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300 ... n-auckland

Singapore had an 8 hour flight from SIN to SIN.

As for HLZ-AKL. That sort of route is a killer feature for battery electric aircraft like the ES-30. Expect a lot of similar sorts of routes to start as those enter service.

Just a slight correction for the story. It was China Airlines and not Air China that came from BNE.

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