Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
LAXPolaris wrote:Now that the full March 2024 schedule is available in the booking engines, it appears UA’s new LAX-AKL route will end for the season on March 28th. As of now it appears the plan is to leave SFO-AKL around year round as daily on a 772. Will be interesting to see how that plays out, given right now it has been downgauged to a 789 on a 3x weekly schedule (and even at that the loads are pretty bad, take a look at todays flight).
It appears AA is suspended LAX-AKL on March 3rd, which seems very early. They are also starting it later than UA and DL, so will be on the route for a very short period of time.
DL is operating it beyond the March schedule as of now, but would be very surprised if it sticks around as year round daily service.
LAXPolaris wrote:Now that the full March 2024 schedule is available in the booking engines, it appears UA’s new LAX-AKL route will end for the season on March 28th. As of now it appears the plan is to leave SFO-AKL around year round as daily on a 772. Will be interesting to see how that plays out, given right now it has been downgauged to a 789 on a 3x weekly schedule (and even at that the loads are pretty bad, take a look at todays flight).
It appears AA is suspended LAX-AKL on March 3rd, which seems very early. They are also starting it later than UA and DL, so will be on the route for a very short period of time.
DL is operating it beyond the March schedule as of now, but would be very surprised if it sticks around as year round daily service.
LAXPolaris wrote:When is Air NZ going to remove the 10x weekly LAX-AKL down to 7x weekly?
zkncj wrote:LAXPolaris wrote:When is Air NZ going to remove the 10x weekly LAX-AKL down to 7x weekly?
Didn't think the reduction to 7x weekly is confirmed? and just a rumor based on YA starting LAX-AKL.
LAXPolaris wrote:zkncj wrote:LAXPolaris wrote:When is Air NZ going to remove the 10x weekly LAX-AKL down to 7x weekly?
Didn't think the reduction to 7x weekly is confirmed? and just a rumor based on YA starting LAX-AKL.
I haven’t seen anything official but everything points to that. Others have said they’re going to deploy those WBs on a different route. Also, UA’s new LAX-AKL operates on the same days NZ has the double daily, if NZ was going to keep it around UA should’ve done it on the opposite days so that the UA/NZ JV is always double daily LAX-AKL.
So while anything official is yet to come out, I don’t think we have any reason to believe it’s sticking around.
77west wrote:How is our delegation getting to London for the coronation - the B757 or commercial?
ZK-NBT wrote:https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/press-release-2023-air-nz-china-capacity-ramping-up-as-daily-shanghai-flights-resume
CA return PEK-AKL 4x weekly tomorrow and NZ return to daily to PVG the following day.
Interesting nothing was said by NZ on the UA route announcement.
zkncj wrote:77west wrote:How is our delegation getting to London for the coronation - the B757 or commercial?
Surely via Commercial to make it there on time.
Otherwise look forward to see where the 757 breaks down along the way. Those things have had a number of breakdowns over the last few years on missions, they are around 30 years old.
zkncj wrote:ZK-NBT wrote:https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/press-release-2023-air-nz-china-capacity-ramping-up-as-daily-shanghai-flights-resume
CA return PEK-AKL 4x weekly tomorrow and NZ return to daily to PVG the following day.
Interesting nothing was said by NZ on the UA route announcement.
Good to see NZ rebounding so well in Asia, hopefully this will give them more confidence around acquiring more fleet sooner.
ZK-NBT wrote:https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230501-qrsep23akl
QR have retimed their arrival into AKL when the non stop returns on Sep 1st. I think it was 0415 before.
mrkerr7474 wrote:ZK-NBT wrote:https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230501-qrsep23akl
QR have retimed their arrival into AKL when the non stop returns on Sep 1st. I think it was 0415 before.
Looks like much better timings especially with AKL arrival time and still multiple connections from DOH to connect with that flight
planemanofnz wrote:mrkerr7474 wrote:ZK-NBT wrote:https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230501-qrsep23akl
QR have retimed their arrival into AKL when the non stop returns on Sep 1st. I think it was 0415 before.
Looks like much better timings especially with AKL arrival time and still multiple connections from DOH to connect with that flight
Is QR going double daily to AKL?
In addition to the non-stop DOH-AKL flight, they're still selling the DOH-ADL-AKL flight, but with no local traffic on ADL-AKL.
https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230501-qrsep23akl
If this isn't a glitch and they are going double daily, that would be a bold play for sure, and I wonder how EK will react to this.
NZ516 wrote:Today is 1st of May so I did a search of the Air NZ fleet of 106 aircraft and found 92 flying and14 not in service. So interesting that there is less flying than the school holidays period just finished and a fair amount of maintenance underway. Plus the schedules could be lower this month than in April.
77W -OKM
789 - NZE, NZI
320- NHF, OYA, OYC, OXB, OXK
ATR - MVD, MVP, MVZ, MZC
Q300 - NEA, NEG
anstar wrote:NZ516 wrote:Today is 1st of May so I did a search of the Air NZ fleet of 106 aircraft and found 92 flying and14 not in service. So interesting that there is less flying than the school holidays period just finished and a fair amount of maintenance underway. Plus the schedules could be lower this month than in April.
77W -OKM
789 - NZE, NZI
320- NHF, OYA, OYC, OXB, OXK
ATR - MVD, MVP, MVZ, MZC
Q300 - NEA, NEG
It's normal to have less flying outside the school holiday peaks. You want all your assets in use during the busiest demand times which leaves the off peak for heavy maintenance.
ZK-NBT wrote:anstar wrote:NZ516 wrote:Today is 1st of May so I did a search of the Air NZ fleet of 106 aircraft and found 92 flying and14 not in service. So interesting that there is less flying than the school holidays period just finished and a fair amount of maintenance underway. Plus the schedules could be lower this month than in April.
77W -OKM
789 - NZE, NZI
320- NHF, OYA, OYC, OXB, OXK
ATR - MVD, MVP, MVZ, MZC
Q300 - NEA, NEG
It's normal to have less flying outside the school holiday peaks. You want all your assets in use during the busiest demand times which leaves the off peak for heavy maintenance.
OKM is still in SIN for pre service maintenance.
NZI arrived ex PVG 01/05, scheduled to PVG 02/05.
NZ516 wrote:ZK-NBT wrote:anstar wrote:
It's normal to have less flying outside the school holiday peaks. You want all your assets in use during the busiest demand times which leaves the off peak for heavy maintenance.
OKM is still in SIN for pre service maintenance.
NZI arrived ex PVG 01/05, scheduled to PVG 02/05.
Looks like NZI is in a short maintenance visit of 1 and a half day.
mrkerr7474 wrote:ZK-NBT wrote:https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230501-qrsep23akl
QR have retimed their arrival into AKL when the non stop returns on Sep 1st. I think it was 0415 before.
Looks like much better timings especially with AKL arrival time and still multiple connections from DOH to connect with that flight
Motorhussy wrote:After launching a Honiara-Vila-AKL service, Solomon Airlines has had to ground its only A320 due to fuel contamination.
https://sbm.sb/solomon-airlines-international-operations-disrupted-due-to-airbus-a320-grounding/?fbclid=IwAR1bHizfNKu3kRH3y-5QhXT8o6GEPBAWHT5_VJXaTS16zhWeWAzaAWUoqMY
NZ321 wrote:mrkerr7474 wrote:ZK-NBT wrote:https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230501-qrsep23akl
QR have retimed their arrival into AKL when the non stop returns on Sep 1st. I think it was 0415 before.
Looks like much better timings especially with AKL arrival time and still multiple connections from DOH to connect with that flight
Certainly better at the NZ end. Not sure about that from a Europe connections in DOH pov. From a quick scout around I can see only a handful of European destinations (LHR, CDG, MAD, MXP, SVO, plus MAN some days) with an early morning arrival into DOH, connecting nicely with the flight to AKL. Many of the remaining major European cities (e.g. FRA, VIE, FCO, BCN, GVA, ATH, MUC, ARN, CPH, OSL, HEL, AMS, BRU, DUB, EDI) have a flight which arrives DOH late evening, while the AKL flight now departs at 0820 - ouch. I guess they've done their homework and figure this is more workable. I guess people can get a transit room for the night. There are certainly a fair number of early morning arrivals into DOH from African / Middle Eastern and Central Asian destinations that connect nicely with the AKL flight. Anyhow, v pleased they are back to nonstop. Long may it last.
Pelly wrote:NZ321 wrote:mrkerr7474 wrote:
Looks like much better timings especially with AKL arrival time and still multiple connections from DOH to connect with that flight
Certainly better at the NZ end. Not sure about that from a Europe connections in DOH pov. From a quick scout around I can see only a handful of European destinations (LHR, CDG, MAD, MXP, SVO, plus MAN some days) with an early morning arrival into DOH, connecting nicely with the flight to AKL. Many of the remaining major European cities (e.g. FRA, VIE, FCO, BCN, GVA, ATH, MUC, ARN, CPH, OSL, HEL, AMS, BRU, DUB, EDI) have a flight which arrives DOH late evening, while the AKL flight now departs at 0820 - ouch. I guess they've done their homework and figure this is more workable. I guess people can get a transit room for the night. There are certainly a fair number of early morning arrivals into DOH from African / Middle Eastern and Central Asian destinations that connect nicely with the AKL flight. Anyhow, v pleased they are back to nonstop. Long may it last.
That is changing later in the year with more frequencies on European routes, FRA and FCO will have a daily morning arrival into DOH. CPH will have on most days. 8hr+ connections get free hotels on most fares if there is no shorter connection available.
ZK-NBT wrote:planemanofnz wrote:mrkerr7474 wrote:
Looks like much better timings especially with AKL arrival time and still multiple connections from DOH to connect with that flight
Is QR going double daily to AKL?
In addition to the non-stop DOH-AKL flight, they're still selling the DOH-ADL-AKL flight, but with no local traffic on ADL-AKL.
https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230501-qrsep23akl
If this isn't a glitch and they are going double daily, that would be a bold play for sure, and I wonder how EK will react to this.
Given they currently sell ADL-AKL I would think it’s a glitch and will be removed shortly.
mrkerr7474 wrote:ZK-NBT wrote:planemanofnz wrote:Is QR going double daily to AKL?
In addition to the non-stop DOH-AKL flight, they're still selling the DOH-ADL-AKL flight, but with no local traffic on ADL-AKL.
https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230501-qrsep23akl
If this isn't a glitch and they are going double daily, that would be a bold play for sure, and I wonder how EK will react to this.
Given they currently sell ADL-AKL I would think it’s a glitch and will be removed shortly.
I did a dummy booking today AKL-EDI via DOH in Nov and return Dec. The flight departed AKL at 4pm local on the direct service to DOH and on the return the flight it is still listed as leaving DOH at 3am with a 5am AKL arrival.
They're removed the Adelaide part of that but the timings seem to be the old ones still?
Motorhussy wrote:After launching a Honiara-Vila-AKL service, Solomon Airlines has had to ground its only A320 due to fuel contamination.
https://sbm.sb/solomon-airlines-international-operations-disrupted-due-to-airbus-a320-grounding/?fbclid=IwAR1bHizfNKu3kRH3y-5QhXT8o6GEPBAWHT5_VJXaTS16zhWeWAzaAWUoqMY
NZ516 wrote:Motorhussy wrote:After launching a Honiara-Vila-AKL service, Solomon Airlines has had to ground its only A320 due to fuel contamination.
https://sbm.sb/solomon-airlines-international-operations-disrupted-due-to-airbus-a320-grounding/?fbclid=IwAR1bHizfNKu3kRH3y-5QhXT8o6GEPBAWHT5_VJXaTS16zhWeWAzaAWUoqMY
First flight to AKL is scheduled for 5 June. Hopefully the fuel issues will be resolved by then.
https://m.solomontimes.com/news/direct- ... mons/12532
Motorhussy wrote:After launching a Honiara-Vila-AKL service, Solomon Airlines has had to ground its only A320 due to fuel contamination.
https://sbm.sb/solomon-airlines-international-operations-disrupted-due-to-airbus-a320-grounding/?fbclid=IwAR1bHizfNKu3kRH3y-5QhXT8o6GEPBAWHT5_VJXaTS16zhWeWAzaAWUoqMY
qf2220 wrote:Motorhussy wrote:After launching a Honiara-Vila-AKL service, Solomon Airlines has had to ground its only A320 due to fuel contamination.
https://sbm.sb/solomon-airlines-international-operations-disrupted-due-to-airbus-a320-grounding/?fbclid=IwAR1bHizfNKu3kRH3y-5QhXT8o6GEPBAWHT5_VJXaTS16zhWeWAzaAWUoqMY
Has there ever been any discussions about these Pacific Island airlines forming some sort of combined grouping/entity to get better economies of scale, operational simplicity etc etc? Or is that something that is perhaps too hard to land?
LAXPolaris wrote:When is Air NZ going to remove the 10x weekly LAX-AKL down to 7x weekly?
NZ516 wrote:LAXPolaris wrote:When is Air NZ going to remove the 10x weekly LAX-AKL down to 7x weekly?
Air NZ service LAX-AKL will most likely revert back to ten weekly during the period UA is not running their seasonal LAX-AKL flights eg from March to October to maintain seat capacity. Especially when the route is down to just Air NZ flying it during this time eg no DL and AA either.
ZK-NBT wrote:NZ516 wrote:LAXPolaris wrote:When is Air NZ going to remove the 10x weekly LAX-AKL down to 7x weekly?
Air NZ service LAX-AKL will most likely revert back to ten weekly during the period UA is not running their seasonal LAX-AKL flights eg from March to October to maintain seat capacity. Especially when the route is down to just Air NZ flying it during this time eg no DL and AA either.
We don’t know yet, I expected UA to be daily LAX-AKL and NZ daily in NW. With UA 4x weekly, it is possible NZ keep 10x weekly and change days to allow 2x daily NZ/UA. NZ don’t usually confirm until July or so but I would expect some changes to start appearing shortly.
DL announced year round. Weather they keep it that way or reduce frequency remains to be seen.
zkncj wrote:ZK-NBT wrote:NZ516 wrote:
Air NZ service LAX-AKL will most likely revert back to ten weekly during the period UA is not running their seasonal LAX-AKL flights eg from March to October to maintain seat capacity. Especially when the route is down to just Air NZ flying it during this time eg no DL and AA either.
We don’t know yet, I expected UA to be daily LAX-AKL and NZ daily in NW. With UA 4x weekly, it is possible NZ keep 10x weekly and change days to allow 2x daily NZ/UA. NZ don’t usually confirm until July or so but I would expect some changes to start appearing shortly.
DL announced year round. Weather they keep it that way or reduce frequency remains to be seen.
Select days of the weeks having 3x services a day from a NZ/UA combo isn’t to much of the question.
NZ has operated LAX before with 3x services on peak days in the past, and this was with the 744 era.
tullamarine wrote:qf2220 wrote:Motorhussy wrote:After launching a Honiara-Vila-AKL service, Solomon Airlines has had to ground its only A320 due to fuel contamination.
https://sbm.sb/solomon-airlines-international-operations-disrupted-due-to-airbus-a320-grounding/?fbclid=IwAR1bHizfNKu3kRH3y-5QhXT8o6GEPBAWHT5_VJXaTS16zhWeWAzaAWUoqMY
Has there ever been any discussions about these Pacific Island airlines forming some sort of combined grouping/entity to get better economies of scale, operational simplicity etc etc? Or is that something that is perhaps too hard to land?
It's too hard as it is a matter of pride and, unfortunately, corruption. It does make sense though as, apart from Fiji Airways, none of the Pacific Islands carriers have anything approaching appropriate scale. Years ago, and I can't remember where, I think I read the initial plan for Air Pacific was for it to morph into a general South Pacific carrier. Obviously, it never happened and it rebranded as Fiji Airways.
Air Caledonie and Air Tahiti Nui are a bit different as these territories are supported dominions of France.
ZK-NBT wrote:NZ516 wrote:LAXPolaris wrote:When is Air NZ going to remove the 10x weekly LAX-AKL down to 7x weekly?
Air NZ service LAX-AKL will most likely revert back to ten weekly during the period UA is not running their seasonal LAX-AKL flights eg from March to October to maintain seat capacity. Especially when the route is down to just Air NZ flying it during this time eg no DL and AA either.
We don’t know yet, I expected UA to be daily LAX-AKL and NZ daily in NW. With UA 4x weekly, it is possible NZ keep 10x weekly and change days to allow 2x daily NZ/UA. NZ don’t usually confirm until July or so but I would expect some changes to start appearing shortly.
DL announced year round. Weather they keep it that way or reduce frequency remains to be seen.
LAXPolaris wrote:ZK-NBT wrote:NZ516 wrote:
Air NZ service LAX-AKL will most likely revert back to ten weekly during the period UA is not running their seasonal LAX-AKL flights eg from March to October to maintain seat capacity. Especially when the route is down to just Air NZ flying it during this time eg no DL and AA either.
We don’t know yet, I expected UA to be daily LAX-AKL and NZ daily in NW. With UA 4x weekly, it is possible NZ keep 10x weekly and change days to allow 2x daily NZ/UA. NZ don’t usually confirm until July or so but I would expect some changes to start appearing shortly.
DL announced year round. Weather they keep it that way or reduce frequency remains to be seen.
Is anyone expecting DL to actually maintain year round service? Given UA who has a partner and bigger presence in the market had to reduce SFO-AKL to 3x weekly this summer, downgauge to a 789, and loads still look pretty bad, I don't see how DL could possibly operate this year round.
I don't know the New Zealand market all that well, but it seems like it is a VERY seasonal market.
NZ516 wrote:LAXPolaris wrote:ZK-NBT wrote:
We don’t know yet, I expected UA to be daily LAX-AKL and NZ daily in NW. With UA 4x weekly, it is possible NZ keep 10x weekly and change days to allow 2x daily NZ/UA. NZ don’t usually confirm until July or so but I would expect some changes to start appearing shortly.
DL announced year round. Weather they keep it that way or reduce frequency remains to be seen.
Is anyone expecting DL to actually maintain year round service? Given UA who has a partner and bigger presence in the market had to reduce SFO-AKL to 3x weekly this summer, downgauge to a 789, and loads still look pretty bad, I don't see how DL could possibly operate this year round.
I don't know the New Zealand market all that well, but it seems like it is a VERY seasonal market.
All 3 (DL, AA, UA) LAX- AKL services are listed as seasonal with references:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_Airport
The only year round service is UA SFO-AKL and HA HNL- AKL.
So Air NZ will have the non stop AKL- LAX market to themselves after March 2024.
NZ516 wrote:LAXPolaris wrote:ZK-NBT wrote:
We don’t know yet, I expected UA to be daily LAX-AKL and NZ daily in NW. With UA 4x weekly, it is possible NZ keep 10x weekly and change days to allow 2x daily NZ/UA. NZ don’t usually confirm until July or so but I would expect some changes to start appearing shortly.
DL announced year round. Weather they keep it that way or reduce frequency remains to be seen.
Is anyone expecting DL to actually maintain year round service? Given UA who has a partner and bigger presence in the market had to reduce SFO-AKL to 3x weekly this summer, downgauge to a 789, and loads still look pretty bad, I don't see how DL could possibly operate this year round.
I don't know the New Zealand market all that well, but it seems like it is a VERY seasonal market.
Yes very much seasonal
All 3 (DL, AA, UA) LAX- AKL services are listed as seasonal with references:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_Airport
I can't book DL in April 2024 but can in March 2024.
The only year round service is UA SFO-AKL and HA HNL- AKL.
So Air NZ will have the non stop AKL- LAX market to themselves after March 2024.
NPL8800 wrote:NZ516 wrote:LAXPolaris wrote:
Is anyone expecting DL to actually maintain year round service? Given UA who has a partner and bigger presence in the market had to reduce SFO-AKL to 3x weekly this summer, downgauge to a 789, and loads still look pretty bad, I don't see how DL could possibly operate this year round.
I don't know the New Zealand market all that well, but it seems like it is a VERY seasonal market.
All 3 (DL, AA, UA) LAX- AKL services are listed as seasonal with references:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_Airport
The only year round service is UA SFO-AKL and HA HNL- AKL.
So Air NZ will have the non stop AKL- LAX market to themselves after March 2024.
Anyone can edit Wikipedia without having a shred of evidence, take anything on there with a grain of salt, whilst it's somewhat accurate it can be easily altered by anyone any time.
The only people that have actually said DL is seasonal is Anet, there has been nothing official from the airline to say it is and therefore it is reasonable to infer that until DL say otherwise, the intention is for it to operate year round. So yes you can count me as one of those people who thinks DL will operate year round.
As for the seasonality aspect, yes naturally the NW is generally the NZ peak travel season, however that doesn't mean demand just simply falls off a cliff and everything becomes unsustainable in the shoulder season and winter months, it doesn't.
A lot of effort is being put in by our tourism bodies, conference bodies etc to build out these shoulder periods and spread the demand and we have been seeing that begin to pay off, things like the Intl Convention Centre in Auckland along with the 2 other new centres in WLG and CHC will only help this space. AKL Airport a few years ago made mention that whilst the seasonal services are great the intention is to work with those partners to make them year round. Same principle applies to AC who earlier this year stated their ultimate intention is to move to year round and exploit their YVR hub.