Quoting haggis73 (Reply 97): Looking at the construction going on there at the moment from airside, it looks like the upper observation deck will remain with the NZ lounge taking over the lower viewing area and the large conference room.

It's meant to be the floor above the currently lounge, although this might require the access to the area below while they work on the roof

Quoting zkncj (Reply 96): The sign saying temporarily - so maybe it will re-open.

Or maybe just the area before the walkway will reopen.. Who knows.

Quoting haggis73 (Reply 97): Looking at the construction going on there at the moment from airside, it looks like the upper observation deck will remain with the NZ lounge taking over the lower viewing area and the large conference room.

AusBT has reported that NZ was building a lounge on a floor above the current one, which suggests that upper observation deck will be the one disappearing.. But I have no idea to what extent the main observation area where the seats are will be taken by the lounge. It also suggests the NZ lounge may have a new entrance... I wonder how far away that will be from the lift shaft leading up from the premium check in area.

Quoting NZ107 (Reply 101): . It also suggests the NZ lounge may have a new entrance.

It does. there are travelators leading up the outside of gate 2 by where the evacuation stairs are. The entrance will be right by the base of the steps to the upper spotters deck.

Quoting NZ107 (Reply 101): I wonder how far away that will be from the lift shaft leading up from the premium check in area.

It could hardly be further than it is currently..............

Lets hope they have done their homework and can make the 3 routes work??!!

"Air NZ's big birds stretching their wings"

Air New Zealand's chief of sales and revenue Cam Wallace has a big challenge ahead - hundreds of thousands of extra seats to fill.

The airline is spending hundreds of millions of dollars opening up long-haul routes to new destinations this year - Houston and Buenos Aires - and has revived its Singapore route.

Wallace said growth of around 14 per cent this year on top of 10 per cent expansion in 2014 had introduced new challenges.

"The business is under some pressure because we've got a lot on," Wallace said. "The key risk for us is that we don't execute this. For us there's a level of complexity that comes from long-haul routes - we have to move people offshore selling New Zealand and Air New Zealand."

Managing markets and distribution this year would be fundamentally different to the airline's approach when there was little or no growth.

"One of the things I've talked to the team about is when we move into a new market and execute this - let's say Argentina - is that we don't lose our focus on other ones such as Singapore," he said.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/n...ticle.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11443737

Quoting aerorobnz (Reply 102):

Thanks for the update! Any ideas when the new AKL International Koru will be opening?

Quoting aerorobnz (Reply 102):

Interesting. So in that case, the observation deck (main level) would be cut down in size if it remains....

Quoting byronicle6 (Reply 105): Any ideas when the new AKL International Koru will be opening?

"Mid 2016".... Not very helpful I know.

Hope they open up the viewing deck again, it's a shame that places are doing away with them. No major airport in the country now has a dedicated viewing area... Was great going up before a flight and getting your geek on!!!

Quoting gasman (Reply 103): It could hardly be further than it is currently..............

Wouldn't it be just as close as it currently is? and closer exit to gates than the current lounge

Quoting 777ER (Reply 77): WIAL said on Monday that it achieved its busiest month for international travellers ever in April. "77,000 people, more than twice the capacity of The Stadium travelled to and from Wellington in April, an increase of 17 per cent (on April last year) and our biggest month ever," said Matt Clarke, Wellington Airport's Chief Commercial Officer. The market is growing and more people were flying long haul in and out of Wellington via Australia. Wellington is becoming a strong tourism destination and a starting point for travelling in either island, the airport said.

International passenger numbers have seen good growth over the last few years.

And for ZKNCJ (question from the previous thread), average load factor during the 1990's was ~75% on wide body services ex Wellington. Not quite the time period you were asking about but as close as I could find. Source - Aviation activity forecast for Wellington Airport March 2001.

[Edited 2015-05-06 13:31:04]

Quoting Unclekoru (Reply 109): And for ZKNCJ (question from the previous thread), average load factor during the 1990's was ~75% on wide body services ex Wellington. Not quite the time period you were asking about but as close as I could find. Source - Aviation activity forecast for Wellington Airport March 2001.

Thanks and around that time fuel was much cheaper, so if there was 150 empty seats it was probably ok.

Quoting 777ER (Reply 98): Airlines are not obligated to provide any type of service.

That's not what the contract of carriage says.

Quoting zkncj (Reply 110): Quoting Unclekoru (Reply 109): And for ZKNCJ (question from the previous thread), average load factor during the 1990's was ~75% on wide body services ex Wellington. Not quite the time period you were asking about but as close as I could find. Source - Aviation activity forecast for Wellington Airport March 2001. Thanks and around that time fuel was much cheaper, so if there was 150 empty seats it was probably ok.

In all likelihood, the Tasman operations from Wellington were profitable while the codeshare agreement was in place during the mid nineties. A 75% load factor was widely reported as being the target load for profitability at the time, exceptions aside.

From memory, the mid nineties saw the following weekly international capacity ex WLG.

WLG-SYD vv QF763 x 7, NZ 762 x 2, NZ 763 X 1
WLG-BNE vv NZ 762 x 4
WLG-MEL vv NZ 762 x 3, PH 733 x 1
WLG-NAN vv FJ 733 x 1
WLG-TBU-APW vv PH 733 x 1

On a side note, I was trying to remember what sort of movements CHC saw during the same period, does anyone remember? I think they used to see a daily QF 744 ex SYD (codeshare with NZ), is my memory correct here? There was also the very short lived QF service to Cairns, although I think this may have been earlier. When did the FJ service to CHC start?

Quoting Kaiarahi (Reply 111):

The special meals section clearly states other wise as it says they will try to provide

Quoting Unclekoru (Reply 112): A 75% load factor was widely reported as being the target load for profitability at the time

This is the benchmark that airlines use for most routes - or so said a UA airline exec I had a conversation with going on ten years ago now. It does vary a bit - especially on the more lucrative legacy routes, where break even load factor may drop as low as 50% - but it will almost never be higher than 75%. And that is nett profit.

LA 800 SYD-AKL arrived 1532 (47 mins late) but AKL-SCL is resheduled for 2205 (5hrs 50 min late). Similar times the previous two days as well. Crew problems or EDTO requirements?

PA515

[Edited 2015-05-10 22:16:38]

Quoting PA515 (Reply 115): LA 800 SYD-AKL arrived 1532 (47 mins late) but AKL-SCL is resheduled for 2205 (5hrs 50 min late). Similar times the previous two days as well. Crew problems or EDTO requirements?

crew rest as a result of initial delays due enroute weather around PPT earlier in the week affecting alternates.  

Quoting aerorobnz (Reply 116):

Thanks Rob. Bit of a mess. Wonder how often this will happen.

PA515

Quoting PA515 (Reply 117):

fairly common unti they get above edto 240 next april. They will be rescheduling soon to allow for this. Major headwinds scl-akl currently too

Quoting PA515 (Reply 117): Thanks Rob. Bit of a mess. Wonder how often this will happen.

Once LAN has 330-min. they should have more flexibility. They will not need the IPC /PPT alternates. For 330-min. the closest together alternates are USH and CHC and on the USH end there are RGL and PUQ nearby.

Quoting PA515 (Reply 115):

Different aircraft, same old problem.

Queenstown Airport has been voted the world most scenic airport

http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/6...n-lands-worlds-most-scenic-airport

Quoting gasman (Reply 114): This is the benchmark that airlines use for most routes - or so said a UA airline exec I had a conversation with going on ten years ago now. It does vary a bit - especially on the more lucrative legacy routes, where break even load factor may drop as low as 50% - but it will almost never be higher than 75%. And that is nett profit.

If NZ had operated at a 75% load factor rather than the 84.1% in FY2014 their profit would have been dramatically lower , probably by at least 260 million to about 72 million instead of the 332 million booked. Quite a different result.

Quoting sunrisevalley (Reply 122):

Not quite what I meant. I was told that 75% is a sort of yardstick that airlines use - in that if a route is breakeven at 75%, then it was appropriately designed - in terms of fare structure, aircraft type etc. In no way does 75% represent any sort of target, and indeed as I said above, lucrative routes may turn out to have a breakeven level of well below 75%.

Quoting gasman (Reply 123): Not quite what I meant. I was told that 75% is a sort of yardstick that airlines use

At the modelling stage yes. They would likely use not just 75% but 50/60/70/75 and current loadfactors as test cases and then workout which one is closest to what they can realistically achieve using existing fare models for various market models suc as Hong Hong/Tokyo/Los Angeles and South Pacific. That way they can work it what works best for a particular route.

Quoting gasman (Reply 114): This is the benchmark that airlines use for most routes - or so said a UA airline exec I had a conversation with going on ten years ago now. It does vary a bit - especially on the more lucrative legacy routes, where break even load factor may drop as low as 50% - but it will almost never be higher than 75%. And that is nett profit.

75% as a breakeven base line, sure, at least for the premium fare carriers and with lower fuel.

But I raise several eyebrows about profit on a 50% load factor. It isn't impossible, I guess on a few plum routes with high business traffic and little competition, but the lowest I've ever come across is 55% and that was breakeven, not profit, or not much.

mariner

Quoting 777ER (Reply 121): Queenstown Airport has been voted the world most scenic airport

Yes, and it's surely one of the most spectacular mountain approaches also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?t=23&v=v9TRgQL52KU

Interesting also to note that the runway at ZQN is actually slightly longer than that at WLG. ZQN is the South Island destination where I see real potential for future growth. If done properly, and with vision it would be possible to massively expand the tourist infrastructure at Queenstown while not blemishing the environment or the ambience.

Quoting gasman (Reply 123): Not quite what I meant

O.K. I see your point. I was just pointing out what the results would have been for a point in time at a 75% load factor. Something better than break even.

Quoting gasman (Reply 126): Interesting also to note that the runway at ZQN is actually slightly longer than that at WLG. ZQN is the South Island destination where I see real potential for future growth. If done properly, and with vision it would be possible to massively expand the tourist infrastructure at Queenstown while not blemishing the environment or the ambience.

I see ZQN growing, but the market is still limited.

It is essentially a tourist destination, with very limited O&D potential. Australia is already fairly well serviced by flights into ZQN, whilst NZ itself is a small market. Can it continue to grow Australian services? Sure, but not sure it can cope with too much extra capacity.

Longer haul International carriers would likely prefer to serve the larger cities, as it creates a better travel mix to draw from, including business, leisure and VFR traffic. Connections onto other services from AKL or CHC would likely be a prefered plan.

Aaaand we have another one - a new NZ safety video, this time with a surfing theme

Quote: The new video, called Surfing Safari, was released on Thursday and features nine pro surfers from all over the world, including past and present champions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADqb6ovsasE

http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/6...-zealand-releases-new-safety-video

[Edited 2015-05-13 20:38:05]

I also agree that ZQN will always be limited to Domestic flights and Australian Eastern seaboard flights.
If it does get busier then I can see a 100m runway extension to allow for better payloads.

Quoting A330NZ (Reply 129): Aaaand we have another one - a new NZ safety video, this time with a surfing theme

Probably why the QF share price shot up today.

Quoting PA515 (Reply 117):

Even more of a mess! http://www.avherald.com/h?article=4863420c&opt=0

This will add further headaches.. Check out the pics.

Quoting Zkpilot (Reply 130): If it does get busier then I can see a 100m runway extension to allow for better payloads.

What space is there for an extension ?

Quoting Zkpilot (Reply 130): I also agree that ZQN will always be limited to Domestic flights and Australian Eastern seaboard flights. If it does get busier then I can see a 100m runway extension to allow for better payloads.

Probably not needed when the A320NEO is used.

Quoting sunrisevalley (Reply 133): What space is there for an extension ?

Doesn't look like much.
http://www.google.co.nz/maps/place/Q...3m1!1s0x0:0x00ef876559b1d0!6m1!1e1

The airport will need to acquire some properties at the Lake end just to put in approach lighting for the night flights.

PA515

Quoting PA515 (Reply 134): The airport will need to acquire some properties at the Lake end just to put in approach lighting for the night flights.

They could always do a Madeira-Airport-like extension at the eastern end to the banks of the Shotover...

Quoting PA515 (Reply 134):

No land will need to be acquired at Queenstown for night operations. A limited approach light array will be installed on existing airport property. A full approach light array is not feasible. Who would want an approach light array stretching across the Shotover River?? Not me!

When complete, the lighting upgrade will see ZQN being the best lit runway outside of Auckland. The widening of the runway from 30m to 45m is also a key component of the upgrade. This will have benefits for the day operation too.

Overall, the benefit of night ops for the ZQN community will be significant. Being able to achieve a full work day in AKL will be one of them. Say a 0640 departure for an 0830 arrival at AKL, then a late flight ex AKL into ZQN. The a/c would layover for the next early departure.

Quoting aotearoa (Reply 136):

Thanks for the info. When do the night ops commence?

PA515

which NZ 77E is being upgraded at this time? Is it the third?

Quoting aotearoa (Reply 136): Overall, the benefit of night ops for the ZQN community will be significant.

I would suggest night ops using the BAC 1-11, or C-130. That ought to curdle Sam Neill's wine.

Quoting sunrisevalley (Reply 138): which NZ 77E is being upgraded at this time? Is it the third?

4th, i believe - ZK-OKH. OKA, OKE & OKG are done

Good to see NZ having a go at maximizing the opportunities that exist from Perth for them.

"Air New Zealand will boost its flights between Perth and Auckland by year's end with the launch of three additional return services each week.

Source.

I love my statistics, and I avidly follow CHC's monthly release of statistics in their market reports

I would like to note the impressive growth in international figures through CHC this summer compared to last year



November 2014:

International arrivals have increased by 8.6% from 60,044 (11/13) to 65,221 (11/14)
International departures have increased by 9.1% from 54,911 (11/13) to 59,922 (11/14)

December 2014:

International arrivals have increased by 10.6% from 72,607 (12/13) to 80,289 (12/14)
International departures have increased by 11.1% from 65,029 (12/13) to 72,262 (12/14)

January 2015:

International arrivals have increased by 8.9% from 73,208 (01/14) to 79,722 (01/15)
International departures have increased by 11.6% from 71,233 (01/14) to 79,491 (01/15)

February 2015:

International arrivals have increased by 17.3% from 59,450 (02/14) to 69,736 (02/15)
International departures have increased by 12.7% from 56,159 (02/14) to 63,268 (02/15)

March 2015:

International arrivals have increased by 12.2% from 58,181 (03/14) to 65,268 (03/15)
International departures have increased by 11.2% from 64,251 (03/14) to 71,472 (03/15)

12 month period March 14 - March 15 ~ Highlights

International arrivals have increase by 8.4% from 667,899 to 723,918
International departures have increased by 7.4% 664,126 to 713,436

International arrivals from China (not including Taiwan) have increased by 47.5% from 31,095 to 45,857
International arrivals from the USA have increased by 15.6% from 36,402 to 42,091

And finally - total year to date passenger numbers are nearing pre-quake levels (which from memory was about 5.9 million), currently sitting on a 3.4% increase from 5,629,280 to 5,818,380



Particularly with the increase in Chinese travellers I am hopeful CHC will see a direct service from mainland China in the near future

Sorry for the long post, I hope you enjoyed this  

Sources

http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz...095-market-results-november-01.pdf
http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz...095-market-results-december-01.pdf
http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz...chc-0101-market-results-jan-01.pdf
http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz...102-market-results-february-02.pdf
http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz...c-0105-market-results-march-01.pdf

Quoting flyjetstar (Reply 141): Air New Zealand will boost its flights between Perth and Auckland by year's end with the launch of three additional return services each week.

Yes, there's an interesting comment as well:

http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/air-nz-...-perth-flights-over-summer-6313707

"Air New Zealand is introducing three new weekly flights between Perth and Auckland to connect West Australian travellers to the airline's USA, Canada and Argentina flights."

I can't think there will be many flying PER-AKL-EZE but every little helps.

mariner

Quoting mariner (Reply 143): I can't think there will be many flying PER-AKL-EZE but every little helps.

None that wouldn't fly EZE-JNB-PER on SA anyway...
What it doesn't show is that NZ175 becomes a late morning departure to allow for transfer passengers back in the opposite direction. That is something I have advocated for some time. Apart from anything else the aircraft utilisation improves as it operates inbound from NZ90 and turns around to PER..

SA has dropped JNB-EZE....but even going PER-JNB-GRU-EZE is probably quicker/easier and definitely more frequent.

Quoting aerorobnz (Reply 144): What it doesn't show is that NZ175 becomes a late morning departure to allow for transfer passengers back in the opposite direction.

So NZ 175 becomes a 10.50am departure ex AKL? Is that right?

NZ174 is a 7pm departure from AKL so does it o/n in Perth for the 6am departure back to AKL?

I'm sure how it is working as 174 ex PER is W,F,S and 177 ex AKL is M,Th,F. Does the CHC 767 service factor into this rotation at all?

Quoting flyjetstar (Reply 146): So NZ 175 becomes a 10.50am departure ex AKL? Is that right?

Yes it will be right. Shorter connections from the long haul LAX/SFO/YVR/HNL/IAH/EZE, the list is getting long lol.

Quoting flyjetstar (Reply 146): NZ174 is a 7pm departure from AKL so does it o/n in Perth for the 6am departure back to AKL? I'm sure how it is working as 174 ex PER is W,F,S and 177 ex AKL is M,Th,F. Does the CHC 767 service factor into this rotation at all?

I'd imagine the CHC rotation fits in there to probably similar to the extra AKL services?!

How will QF respond? Or will they keep it the same? I guess if 2 weekly seasonal A330s makes money and is all they can do they won't change it, can they remain competitive though with NZ having a similar departure ex AKL?!

Quoting ZK-NBT (Reply 147): I'd imagine the CHC rotation fits in there to probably similar to the extra AKL services?!

Something is going on with the CHC-PER flights. They were bookable until today, now the NZ website gives an error whenever you try to book CHC-PER. They've also disappeared from the schedule search page.

On closer inspection, the new schedule for AKL-PER would fit perfectly with CHC-PER services as follows
NZ177 AKL PER 1900 2140 145
NZ174 PER AKL 0600 1730 357

With CHC-PER being served something like this

NZ162 PER CHC 0600 1715 26
NZ161 CHC PER 1830 2050 26

or alternatively

NZ162 PER CHC 2300 1015+1 15
NZ161 CHC PER 1130 1350 26

[Edited 2015-05-15 03:08:56]

Quoting aotearoa (Reply 136): Overall, the benefit of night ops for the ZQN community will be significant. Being able to achieve a full work day in AKL will be one of them. Say a 0640 departure for an 0830 arrival at AKL, then a late flight ex AKL into ZQN. The a/c would layover for the next early departure.

And then a late night Sunday flight back to AKL.. That would be a goldmine.

Quoting A330NZ (Reply 142): I would like to note the impressive growth in international figures through CHC this summer compared to last year

Well when you have a huge increase of seats, you kinda expect there to be a huge growth in numbers..