New Zealand Aviation Thread Part 164

Zkpilot · Tue Aug 25, 2015 9:40 pm

The last thread (163) reached 200 so this is the new one.

Will start with Air NZ big profit announcement today.
"Air New Zealand announces record annual result" NZ$496m earnings up 49%. Profit NZ$327 up 24%. They will also be paying a dividend of 9.5 cents per share, an increase of 73 percent on the prior year.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/n...ticle.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11502602

[Edited 2015-08-25 14:46:26]

zkncj · Tue Aug 25, 2015 10:06 pm

"Next year will see further capacity growth in international markets as we look forward to new routes starting in December 2015 to Houston and Buenos Aires. And while we are gearing up to launch these exciting new routes we have a team assessing potential new opportunities in Australia, Asia and the Americas. "

Does this mean we could see an couple more new routes in 2016? Maybe we could see an AKL-ORD service an couple times an week?

Zkpilot · Tue Aug 25, 2015 11:29 pm

Quoting zkncj (Reply 1):
"Next year will see further capacity growth in international markets as we look forward to new routes starting in December 2015 to Houston and Buenos Aires. And while we are gearing up to launch these exciting new routes we have a team assessing potential new opportunities in Australia, Asia and the Americas. "

Does this mean we could see an couple more new routes in 2016? Maybe we could see an AKL-ORD service an couple times an week?

I missed that part.
For Australia the obvious choices would be CBR or HBA.
For Asia ICN would probably be the most likely. Otherwise maybe CGK or TPE. I would have said MNL but that is a bit tricky with the new PR service. Potential for a return to another Japan destination but unlikely. China is relatively well served now and places like Vietnam are too small a market and are served via the SQ codeshare. Likewise BKK is served by TG (star partner) or via SIN.
Americas.... interesting! Not sure about that one at all. I doubt they would do both IAH and ORD. IAH serves pretty much everywhere that ORD does and ORD isn't a bit O&D market in itself. LAS is too close to LAX so no point. That leaves somewhere like SEA or PDX. SEA is pretty close to YVR and PDX isn't really that good for connections or O&D.
MEX is possible but unlikely as part of the IAH purpose was to serve Mexico.
Canada is too far except YVR which they already serve. South America would also be unlikely so soon after the new EZE service (unless they are planning on hopping on to Brazil). SCL or LIM could be possible but again unlikely. So I really don't see a new destination. Would expect to see HNL increase in frequency.

zkncj · Tue Aug 25, 2015 11:41 pm

Quoting Zkpilot (Reply 2):
For Asia ICN would probably be the most likely. Otherwise maybe CGK or TPE. I would have said MNL but that is a bit tricky with the new PR service. Potential for a return to another Japan destination but unlikely. China is relatively well served now and places like Vietnam are too small a market and are served via the SQ codeshare. Likewise BKK is served by TG (star partner) or via SIN.

What about HKT? surely 3x weekly in the winter with an all Y 763 could work?

Zkpilot · Wed Aug 26, 2015 12:06 am

Quoting zkncj (Reply 3):
What about HKT? surely 3x weekly in the winter with an all Y 763 could work?

Possible. I guess they have set the precedent with the DPS flights.
I think they will be trying to leverage the AKL hub between Asia and South America which is where ICN would be good.

mariner · Wed Aug 26, 2015 12:44 am

Quoting zkncj (Reply 3):
What about HKT? surely 3x weekly in the winter with an all Y 763 could work?

I guess it has to be a possibility given DPS, but I'd rather see one or more of the less predictable destinations in Asia.

Quite a few of my chums in Auckland would vote for PEN - Penang - which has become a junior Asian Silicon Valley. I can't link to the Wall Street Journal because it's behind a paywall, but here's the headline:

"Tech Floods Into Malaysia Safe From Natural Disasters, Island of Penang Attracts Manufacturers

The island gets more than 6 million tourists a year, but even so there may not be enough demand for it from NZ (HKT gets more than five times as many international visitors), although the quick jump over to Langkawi might help. It's just a pipe dream of mine, but I think it would be fun a couple of times a week.

mariner

[Edited 2015-08-25 17:49:05]

aerorobnz · Wed Aug 26, 2015 2:02 am

Quoting zkncj (Reply 1):
Does this mean we could see an couple more new routes in 2016? Maybe we could see an AKL-ORD service an couple times an week?

No point offering ORD anything less than 5x a week - not to mention they will be pushing IAH for ORD connections.. Personally I don't see it happening for a while. I still reckon Asia will take the next couple of routes, I'm still rooting for SGN and MNL.

Quoting Zkpilot (Reply 4):
I think they will be trying to leverage the AKL hub between Asia and South America which is where ICN would be good.

Good, but suicidal against KE who dominate the home market (without a joint venture). You may as well operate to ATL against DL..

PA515 · Wed Aug 26, 2015 2:17 am

From the Air NZ 2015 Annual, Analyst Presentation.

Slide 15 'Fleet update' has 29 A320's in FY2016 and FY2017. The 2015 Interim had 28.

Present fleet of 28.
OJA, OJB, OJC, OJD, OJE, OJF, OJG, OJH, OJI, OJK, OJM, OJN, OJO. -- 13
OAB, OJR, OJS, OJQ. -- 4
OXA, OXB, OXC, OXD, OXE, OXF, OXG, OXH, OXI, OXJ, OXK (at TLS) -- 11

Guessing a new aircraft for domestic use -- OXL?.

PA515

ZKOJH · Wed Aug 26, 2015 2:25 am

First off, this is a great achievement to everybody within the company. Congratulations

rushed · Wed Aug 26, 2015 2:37 am

Quoting Zkpilot (Reply 2):
For Australia the obvious choices would be CBR or HBA.

I would assume that they would look at increasing capacity/frequency in partnership with Virgin on existing destinations rather than adding new ones. Perhaps look at expanding some of the seasonal services to Australia or from other ports in NZ. In March this year AirNZ said they had no plans for Canberra which would be the more likely of the two. While having Air NZ to Canberra would be great, I'm not sure it will happen.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/aviat...ite-barr-plea-20150303-13u1ap.html

DeltaB717 · Wed Aug 26, 2015 2:55 am

Quoting rushed (Reply 9):
I would assume that they would look at increasing capacity/frequency in partnership with Virgin on existing destinations rather than adding new ones. Perhaps look at expanding some of the seasonal services to Australia or from other ports in NZ. In March this year AirNZ said they had no plans for Canberra which would be the more likely of the two. While having Air NZ to Canberra would be great, I'm not sure it will happen.

Depends how you look at "Air NZ to Canberra"... I think the most likely of all the current possible international options out of CBR would be VA E90s to NZ, which would likely carry the NZ code. So, not their metal, but a NZ flight nonetheless.

Mr AirNZ · Wed Aug 26, 2015 3:37 am

Quoting PA515 (Reply 7):
Guessing a new aircraft for domestic use -- OXL?.

Correct.

mariner · Wed Aug 26, 2015 3:39 am

Quoting ZKOJH (Reply 8):
First off, this is a great achievement to everybody within the company. Congratulations

Among several interesting things that were said today, this one caught my eye:

http://australianaviation.com.au/201...per-cent-lift-in-full-year-profit/

"Luxon said Air NZ’s new Auckland-Houston and Auckand-Buenos Aires services, which kick off in December, were selling “incredibly well”, particularly in Australia.

“We are already starting to talk about how we would get increased capacity into those routes,” Luxon said.

“We think Australia is underserved and we think there is a huge opportunity to haul Australians through Auckland, which is a great geographic hub into Latin America.

“Already we are seeing our mix of Australian customers more than meeting our original assumptions.”

More service to Latin America, perhaps?

mariner

PA515 · Wed Aug 26, 2015 4:20 am

ZK-NZC departed KPAE about 10 mins ago.

http://flightradar24.com/ANZ6094

PA515

PA515 · Wed Aug 26, 2015 4:43 am

Quoting PA515 (Reply 7):

http://airnewzealand.co.nz/assets/PD...nual-analyst-presentation-2015.pdf

Slide 15 'Fleet update' has no change to the 763 retirement dates. FY2016 4 remain, FY2017 2 remain, FY2018 zero.

One goes in March 2016, two between 01July 2016 and 30 Jun 2017, two between 01 July 2017 and 30 Jun 2018.

http://airnewzealand.co.nz/assets/PD...annual-shareholder-review-2015.pdf mentions March 2016.

PA515

[Edited 2015-08-25 21:46:59]

NZ107 · Wed Aug 26, 2015 8:15 am

Quoting mariner (Reply 5):

The island gets more than 6 million tourists a year, but even so there may not be enough demand for it from NZ (HKT gets more than five times as many international visitors), although the quick jump over to Langkawi might help. It's just a pipe dream of mine, but I think it would be fun a couple of times a week.

Sorry, too much of a pipe dream. Not even EK operates to PEN.. I'd have thought it'd be on their radar given they fly to so many other Asian destinations. CX gave the route to KA. Likewise, SQ gave it to MI.

nascarnut · Wed Aug 26, 2015 8:41 am

Air NZ is fortunate that they have been clever in who the partner and where they fly
NZ - Australia partner VA
NZ - YVR partner AC
NZ - USA partner UA (LAX/SFO/IAH all hubs for UA)
NZ - EZE partner AR
NZ - NRT partner NH
NZ - PVG partner CA
NZ - HKG partner CX
NZ - SIN partner SQ
NZ - PPT partner TN
NZ - NOU partner SB
NZ - VLI partner NF
Basically every city they serve they partner or codeshare with the major carrier in that city. Even in the Pacific with APW/TBU/RAR
they do not codeshare but compete with VA in which they have a shareholding.
That basically leave Fiji a the only country they do not have a significant carrier as support and demand from NZ to Fiji is sufficient that
no partner is required.

Zkpilot · Wed Aug 26, 2015 9:00 am

Quoting aerorobnz (Reply 6):
Good, but suicidal against KE who dominate the home market (without a joint venture). You may as well operate to ATL against DL..

Could do a revenue/codeshare with OZ. They're both *A after all. KE operates more than daily often so there is probably enough to go around/grow and with a smaller aircraft like the 789 it could be a great fit.

Had another thought about Australia and I can't remember but Newcastle is another option.

NZ107 · Wed Aug 26, 2015 9:33 am

Quoting nascarnut (Reply 16):
That basically leave Fiji a the only country they do not have a significant carrier as support

Then you add HNL. And that's it in terms of competition. That's why they're able to make such profits. I'm still waiting for AA to announce their gatecrash on AKL-LAX.

NZ107 · Wed Aug 26, 2015 9:35 am

Propstar's first plane will be in New Zealand on Friday afternoon... AKL and WLG.

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Alexander Watts

PA515 · Wed Aug 26, 2015 9:44 am

Quoting nascarnut (Reply 16):
Air NZ is fortunate that they have been clever in who the partner and where they fly

And linking up with European carriers at HKG, PVG and NRT utilising their excess capacity for NZ to Europe journeys. Same arrangement should work at ICN.

PA515

mariner · Wed Aug 26, 2015 9:50 am

Quoting NZ107 (Reply 15):
Sorry, too much of a pipe dream.

A pipe-dream, by definition, is unrealistic.

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/pipe-dream.html

"Pipe dream - An unrealistic hope or fantasy."

mariner

Kashmon · Wed Aug 26, 2015 10:22 am

Quoting NZ107 (Reply 15):

MI is no KA
all leisure routes are being moved from CX to KA
it means nothing
BLR earns more revenue than MAA, yet CX flies to MAA and KA to BLR

that being said NZ would never fly there
I do not understand why NZ does not code with CX to SE/NE Asia...

QF744ER · Wed Aug 26, 2015 10:48 am

Interesting reading the comments about Penang, I travel up there every 2-3 months and despite it's popularity it's such an awkward place to get to unlike DPS, CGK, KUL, SIN and BKK. It doesn't have any non stop flights to AUS/NZ, you've got no option but to fly thru KUL or SIN, which I believe deters potential visitors and tourists.

Also this may sound like a silly question but what's the difference between a NZ domestic A320 and an International one? One would of thought all the newer -OX*'s would be international birds with the -OJ*'s relegated to domestic duties.

coolian2 · Wed Aug 26, 2015 11:09 am

I believe there's a lack of HF radio to begin with

zkojq · Wed Aug 26, 2015 11:37 am

Good to hear that forward bookings to Houston sound healthy! Hope this encourages the launch of more new routes.

Quoting QF744ER (Reply 23):
Also this may sound like a silly question but what's the difference between a NZ domestic A320 and an International one?

Plenty:
Lower MTOW on domestic birds (71.5 vs 77t).
A320Ds are non-etops.
Tailstrike protection.
No Satcom/HF on domestic birds.
Sharklets!
Better Terrain Warning System and TCAS.

Loads of other software and hardware changes too, from different cockpit lightning to different ADIRUs...most of which isn't really worth mentioning. Lots of changes in the cabin too. For the most part, the airline is just making use of upgrades Airbus has developed since the original tranche of A320s were delivered.

Quoting QF744ER (Reply 23):
One would of thought all the newer -OX*'s would be international birds with the -OJ*'s relegated to domestic duties.

Indeed. I think that was the original plan.

[Edited 2015-08-26 04:40:41]

[Edited 2015-08-26 04:42:30]

777ER · Wed Aug 26, 2015 12:53 pm

Quoting NZ107 (Reply 19):

Any word on a timetable?

sunrisevalley · Wed Aug 26, 2015 2:43 pm

Quoting mariner (Reply 12):
Luxon said Air NZ’s new Auckland-Houston and Auckand-Buenos Aires services, which kick off in December, were selling “incredibly well”, particularly in Australia.

If AA enters the LAX-AKL market and IAH has a strong demand, is it possible that NZ5/6 and NZ28/29 could be a mixture of 77E and 77W ?

SXI899 · Thu Aug 27, 2015 6:32 am

Quoting PA515 (Reply 105):
(Part 163)
VH-SBB c/n 539 (Mar 2000) EAQ
VH-SBJ c/n 578 (Jun 2002) EAQ
VH-SBT c/n 580 (Feb 2002) QLK
VH-TQE c/n 596 (Jul 2003) EAQ
VH-TQD c/n 598 (Jan 2004) EAQ
VH-TQK c/n 600 (Feb 2004) EAQ
VH-TQL c/n 603 (Jul 2004) EAQ
VH-TQM c/n 604 (Aug 2004) EAQ
VH-SBI c/n 605 (Nov 2004) QLK

One or two of these could be getting scheduled maintenance. Jetstar said they will start New Zealand services with five aircraft, so it looks like they will have a few more available.

VH-TQM is the first in the JQ colours. VH-TQE which departed BNE in the direction of TSV on Tuesday looks like being the second.

VH-SBI has now been spotted in JetStar colours: http://dash8spotter.blogspot.nl/2015...star-nz-aircraft-3-dhc-8-300s.html
Looks like TQE remained on the line.

Quoting SXI (Reply 89):
(Part 163)
Skyliners is reporting that MSN24435 (ex VH-TJJ/N938NZ) has been delivered to ASL Airlines as EI-STI.

Apparently now going to be operated by ASL Airlines Hungary (formerly Farnair Hungary) on behalf of DHL as HA-FAW:

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Paul Quinn

Quoting SXI (Reply 89):
(Part 163)
ex ZK-TLF was ferried to CDG last week as YR-UEZ and is rumoured to be for ASL Airlines France.

Now reg'd as F-GZTK. French register lists the owner as: AFO Aircraft (NZ) Ltd, C/ Airwork Holding

CHCalfonzo · Thu Aug 27, 2015 7:09 am

CZ will fly scheduled service to CHC this summer starting Dec 16. CHC is really starting to grow, with new services and increased flights from CZ, CI, SQ, QF, JQ, VA, FJ and NZ this summer! Great to see, with all these extra services CHC should be back to its pre 2010 passenger numbers again exceeding 6 million for the first time hopefully.

Guangzhou – Christchurch
CZ617 CAN0050 – 1710CHC 787 357
CZ618 CHC2230 – 0530+1CAN 787 357

A330NZ · Thu Aug 27, 2015 7:28 am

http://airlineroute.net/2015/08/27/cz-fcochc-w15/

Source for the CZ to CAN-CHC-CAN route

NZ107 · Thu Aug 27, 2015 7:51 am

Quoting 777ER (Reply 26):

Into AKL around 1430, out an hour or so later. So maybe 1600ish onwards in WLG.

PA515 · Thu Aug 27, 2015 8:23 am

Quoting SXI899 (Reply 28):
Looks like TQE remained on the line.

Was relying on flightradar24.com and it had TQE departing BNE and not returning. The MLAT coverage is still patchy in the BNE area. TQM and SBI have apparently been fitted with ADS-B, so assume TQL and the other two will be the same.

PA515

zkojq · Thu Aug 27, 2015 10:25 am

Quoting ZKOJH (Reply 8):

First off, this is a great achievement to everybody within the company. Congratulations

Quoting DeltaB717 (Reply 10):
t "Air NZ to Canberra"... I think the most likely of all the current possible international options out of CBR would be VA E90s to NZ, which would likely carry the NZ code.

Are VA E190s ETOPS configured?

Quoting NZ107 (Reply 19):
Propstar's first plane will be in New Zealand on Friday afternoon... AKL and WLG.

Afterwards it will be heading back across the ditch, for some reason. Seems a bit of a waste, though since it is intended for them to remain on the Australian register, presumably they have to fly them back there once every 28 days?

Quoting 777ER (Reply 26):
Any word on a timetable?

I believe destinations will be announced early next week.

[Edited 2015-08-27 03:32:45]

777ER · Thu Aug 27, 2015 10:30 am

Quoting ZKOJQ (Reply 33):
Quoting 777ER (Reply 26):Any word on a timetable?
I believe destinations will be announced early next week.

Was wanting to know what time JQs Q300 will be in WLG tomorrow

NZ107 · Thu Aug 27, 2015 10:40 am

Quoting ZKOJQ (Reply 33):
Afterwards it will be heading back across the ditch, for some reason. Seems a bit of a waste, though since it is intended for them to remain on the Australian register, presumably they have to fly them back there once every 28 days?

Sounds to me like a promo run and maybe a photo shoot opportunity while there's still snow on the mountains..

PA515 · Thu Aug 27, 2015 8:47 pm

Quoting 777ER (Reply 34):
Was wanting to know what time JQs Q300 will be in WLG tomorrow

VH-TQM departed BNE at 0550 AEST and was heading 097 degrees at 25,000ft towards NLK when it went out of receiver range.

PA515

PA515 · Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:23 pm

VH-TQM is on http://flightaware.com/live/flight/VHTQM but no details of the NLK-AKL.

PA515

[Edited 2015-08-27 14:24:20]

Zkpilot · Thu Aug 27, 2015 10:22 pm

Just been reading the Oz Av thread and there sure seem to be a lot of A.net Aussie's with their knickers in a twist over Luxon's comments aimed at QF! It's mostly the usual suspects but there are a few others too. Guess it hit a little bit too close to home for some of them haha.

DeltaB717 · Thu Aug 27, 2015 11:48 pm

Quoting ZKOJQ (Reply 33):
Are VA E190s ETOPS configured?

I've no idea. I remember they've been in NZ before (I think only on one or two of the delivery flights) but not sure what would need to be done to allow them to be scheduled on the route. As a semi-Canberran I just don't see anything bigger in the airlines' current fleets (ie A320, B738) working, the same as I don't see SQ to SIN working.

tullamarine · Thu Aug 27, 2015 11:55 pm

Quoting DeltaB717 (Reply 39):
Are VA E190s ETOPS configured?

I've no idea. I remember they've been in NZ before (I think only on one or two of the delivery flights) but not sure what would need to be done to allow them to be scheduled on the route.

Not sure if they are ETOPs but VA already fly them over the Bight on PER-ADL but CBR-AKL or WLG is very do-able given it is only an extra 100nm. Not too sure if this would involve any limits on the westbound journey however.

DeltaB717 · Thu Aug 27, 2015 11:57 pm

Quoting tullamarine (Reply 40):

The Bight isn't an ETOPS route. More importantly to the ETOPS question is that VA previously used the E90s out of PER to Christmas Island and Cocos Keeling Island.

PA515 · Fri Aug 28, 2015 1:17 am

VH-TQM due in AKL at 1400 http://flightradar24.com/VHTQM/7401465

PA515

aerorobnz · Fri Aug 28, 2015 1:37 am

Quoting Zkpilot (Reply 38):
here sure seem to be a lot of A.net Aussie's with their knickers in a twist over Luxon's comments aimed at QF

They make the mistake of presuming it is all about them and that it was aimed at QF (It's not). In fact what Luxon is saying is that AKL-EZE, AKL-IAH were planned to be sustainable with AKL/NZL originating passengers with a boost from Australia, but that the demand from both New Zealand and Australia has been higher than they had planned for so they need to look at adding seats on these routes either by using a larger aircraft or by increasing frequency.

ie: if it was originally planned for 80% seats sold NZL and 20% from Australia with an industry average load factor of 75% and they end up with demand at 90% seats sold ex NZL and still have 30% demand from Australia with an average load factor of 85% then evidently they have to increase flights to match.

312 seat config 772
NZ 187 seats AU 46 seats 75% loadfactor 80/20% demand 233 seats
NZ 238 seats AU 79 seats 85% load factor 90/30% demand 317 seats a flight.

233x5 = 1165 weekly seats (77E)
317x5 = 1585 weekly seats (77W)
1585 seats/7 flights = 225 seats (only 8 short of projected load factor of 75%)

Many of you will say that yes these simplistic sums are just made up by me and yes indeed they are, but what I'm trying to illustrate is that I don't think Luxon was being inflammatory at all - he's a practical facts and figures oriented person not a just showpony figurehead like many Airline CEOs.

It's worth remembering, at 300 seats sold per flight, a 77W is more efficient than a 772 with 300 passengers AND takes more cargo (ie: more potential revenue). the entire 77W fleet is also EDTO 330 capable.

As a result my gut feeling is that one route will become a 77W 5x a week and the other will commandere the 772 from the other route and become a daily service with the 772.. You can choose for youself which option you prefer for each destination.

zkncj · Fri Aug 28, 2015 2:06 am

VH-TQM just arrived in Auckland, saw it over fly the city on its way in. Doesn't seem to stickout as much as the black and white NZ Q300s

Mr AirNZ · Fri Aug 28, 2015 2:53 am

Quoting aerorobnz (Reply 43):
the entire 77W fleet is also EDTO 330 capable.

To clarify this. Capable in terms of having meet the CAA requirements for time conducting EDTO >180min to go down the process of acquiring further approvals. Not capable in that the airframes do not presently have the fire suppressant installed for the greater limits and would need that done.

zkncj · Fri Aug 28, 2015 4:35 am

Does Qantas Links Q300s have ovens? by the look of http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airl...aircraft-seat-map-dash-8/global/en they have an reasonable sized galley.

Could be the one advantage of Jetstar Regional is if they we're able to offer an decent Buy on Board on longer sectors e.g. NSN-AKL.

sunrisevalley · Fri Aug 28, 2015 12:26 pm

Quoting Mr AirNZ (Reply 45):
Not capable in that the airframes do not presently have the fire suppressant installed for the greater limits and would need that done

If that was done would the 77W have the same rating as the 77E and 787, viz 300-mins. Not that it matters since 300-mins is all that is needed between AKL-EZE. In response to Rob's question in reply 43 I would say the 77W on the IAH (240-min,) route and the 77E on the EZE (300-min) route,

zkojq · Fri Aug 28, 2015 1:00 pm

Ex ZK-PBB will be TigerAir's first 737-8. Currently in Singapore.

Quoting Zkpilot (Reply 38):
Just been reading the Oz Av thread and there sure seem to be a lot of A.net Aussie's with their knickers in a twist over Luxon's comments aimed at QF!

I don't get what's wrong with what he said. The difference in population between AKL and WLG/CHC is much greater than the difference between SYD and MEL/BNE.

Quoting Zkpilot (Reply 38):
It's mostly the usual suspects but there are a few others too.

Am I the only one who think that the pro-Qantas/anti-VA and NZ bias in those threads is getting worse and worse lately? As far as most of the Aussie Aviation Threads go, it seems that Qantas can do no wrong.

Meanwhile in this thread, it seems that plenty of us (with myself often near the front of the queue) spend a hell of a lot of time moaning about Air New Zealand (even though I still really like the airline).

Quoting DeltaB717 (Reply 39):
I remember they've been in NZ before

Quoting DeltaB717 (Reply 39):
As a semi-Canberran I just don't see anything bigger in the airlines' current fleets (ie A320, B738) working, the same as I don't see SQ to SIN working.

Nor can I. The E190 seems to be the right sized aircraft for the route.

Quoting aerorobnz (Reply 43):
The's a practical facts and figures oriented person not a just showpony figurehead like many Airline CEOs.

With the profits to back him up!

Quoting Mr AirNZ (Reply 45):
Not capable in that the airframes do not presently have the fire suppressant installed for the greater limits and would need that done.

Are there plans to have this done? I understood (incorrectly it seems) that equipment wise, they were all ETOPS330 capable when needed. Or is this just a matter of filing existing fire bottles with Halon (I understand why they wouldn't want to do that if it wasn't absolutely necessary).

As an aside, having a fire break out whilst 330 mins from an alternate seems a bit scary to me.

Quoting NZ107 (Reply 35):
Sounds to me like a promo run and maybe a photo shoot opportunity while there's still snow on the mountains..

That would make perfect sense. I'm told that a photo shoot over the CBD was arranged also.

[Edited 2015-08-28 06:17:33]

Zkpilot · Fri Aug 28, 2015 1:46 pm

Quoting aerorobnz (Reply 43):

It's worth remembering, at 300 seats sold per flight, a 77W is more efficient than a 772 with 300 passengers AND takes more cargo (ie: more potential revenue). the entire 77W fleet is also EDTO 330 capable.

As a result my gut feeling is that one route will become a 77W 5x a week and the other will commandere the 772 from the other route and become a daily service with the 772.. You can choose for youself which option you prefer for each destination.

Yes good points. In some regards it would make sense to put the 77W on the IAH route as it is more cost effective and can haul cargo as you point out. However IAH will probably benefit more from being daily for business people so that would mean it would make sense (at least initially) to use the smaller 77E with EZE getting less than daily 77W. Of course EZE would be a prime candidate for the 789. So what I see is LHR daily 77W, LAX daily 77W, SFO daily 77W additional services , IAH daily 77E, YVR daily 77E/789, EZE 77E. After a few other flights that still leaves a fair bit of slack in the 77W fleet and with the 789 fleet coming along nicely now that also leaves slack in the 77E fleet.

Quoting zkojq (Reply 48):

No I have noticed a lot more ocker confidence now that the creative accounting has turned a record loss into almost a record profit in the space of a year. QF still subsidises JQ but JQ have been improving and the drop in fuel prices has helped everyone. If you average last year and this year Qantas a Group still made a loss. With further fuel bill savings to come expect next year to be $1B profit and NZ should rack up $500m. Based on size this is fairly even.

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