Jetstar procedures under investigation after planes took off too heavy

Jetstar's procedures for calculating the weight of its aircraft are under review by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau after two of its planes took off with more passengers than had been expected by the pilots in October. On October 29, the pilot flying a Jetstar plane from Melbourne to Perth noticed the aircraft was nose-heavy as it was taking off and was forced to pull back on the controls nearly to the limits in order to raise the aircraft's nose.

Once the A321 was airborne, the pilots asked the cabin crew to confirm the passenger numbers and seating locations. The updated information was entered into the computer and the pilots found the aircraft was outside the loading limits for take-off and landing. Passengers were then moved to other seats throughout the cabin to return the aircraft to within the allowable limits for the remainder of the flight and the landing.

READ MORE Schoolkids tip balance of Qantas plane

Just 10 days earlier, an A320 flight from Brisbane to Melbourne took off with 16 more passengers than had been advised to the pilots, with the aircraft about 1328 kilograms heavier than the take-off weight used to calculate take-off and landing data for the flight. The landing data was recalculated prior to the descent in Melbourne.

The ATSB has deemed the incidents "serious", although there were no injuries in either case. It has begun an investigation that will include interviews with the flight and ground operations crews, a review of Jetstar's internal procedures regarding aircraft loading and a review of preventative and recovery-type risk controls for aircraft loading.

The full investigation is not expected to be completed until October 2016. Comment is being sought from Jetstar and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Calculating the correct weight of an aircraft is a very important safety issue as incorrect inputs can lead to problems in the pilot's ability to control the aircraft.

In 2003, an Air Midwest Beechcraft 1900D crashed in the US in part due to higher than expected weight on take-off, although an issue with the plane's control cables was also contributing factor. All 21 passengers and crew on board died in the crash.

Last month, the ATSB issued a final report into an incident at Jetstar's parent, Qantas, that also involved an incorrect take-off weight being entered, in that case on a Boeing 737 flying from Sydney to Darwin.

Data entry errors by the pilots led to the take-off weight imputed into the computer being 10 tonnes lower than the actual weight. That resulted in the take-off speed and engine thrust settings being too low and the aircraft contacting the runway briefly in a "tail strike" incident.

 - Sydney Morning Herald

JAMIE FREED

Last updated 11:52, December 4 2015

Kiwi announces new direct air services from Nelson to Tauranga and Dunedin

Kiwi Regional Airlines has announced a new twice-weekly return connection for Tasman region residents to Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty region, with an additional Tuesday service to Dunedin to boost the current four return flights per week.  From 15th February, Kiwi will fly on a Tuesday and Saturday mid morning to Tauranga, returning early afternoon. 

At the same time an extra Tuesday connection with Dunedin will start, bringing to five the number of return flights per week with that city.

Tickets from Nelson-Tauranga will be priced competitively, starting from $99 one-way, as will tickets for the Nelson-Dunedin and existing Nelson-Hamilton services.

Bookings for the flights are open now.

Kiwi CEO Ewan Wilson said "the airline's first month of operation has taught us a lot about regional New Zealand's travel preferences."

"There is a high proportion of our passengers 'visiting family and friends' , and with the Bay of Plenty's population around the quarter million mark, there are a lot of family connections between Nelson and that region."

"Residents from Nelson and the surrounding region have proved to have a good appetite for affordable travel direct to other regions."

"Avoiding the expensive and tiring bottlenecks at Wellington airport have been a big factor in Nelsonian's decisions to travel with us," he said.

Mr Wilson said his airline's executive "had considered other North Island connections such as Hawkes Bay and Taranaki, but a combination of lack of facilities and the high Bay of Plenty potential had tipped the balance Tauranga's way."

"We will be looking elsewhere in future, but right now our hands are full with our successful Dunedin-Nelson-Hamilton flights, with the Tauranga connection only two months away."

Ewan Wilson CEO Kiwi Regional Airlines

Air New Zealand named airline of the year for the third year running

New Zealand has taken out the title of airline of the year for the third year running, as voted by airline safety and product rating review website AirlineRatings.com. The website praised Air New Zealand for its "products, environmental commitment, innovation and internal culture".

READ MORE: * Air New Zealand takes off for Buenos Aires * Air NZ named Australasia's top airline  * Air New Zealand rated world's top airline * Air NZ in world's safest airlines * Air New Zealand's premium economy wins big at 2015 World Airline Awards

AirlineRatings.com editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas said the airline was a global trendsetter.

"Given Air New Zealand's location and the country's size, its performance is stunning."

Air New Zealand was also awarded the best premium economy and best economy titles.

New Zealand has taken out the title of airline of the year for the third year running, as voted by airline safety and product rating review website AirlineRatings.com.

The website praised Air New Zealand for its "products, environmental commitment, innovation and internal culture".

Air New Zealand chief executive officer Christopher Luxon said the awards were a reflection of the hard work put in by the airline's more than 11,000 staff around the world.

"It's an honour to be named airline of the year again and the timing couldn't be better with the awards coming at the same time Air New Zealand celebrates its inaugural flight to Buenos Aires Argentina, one of four new international destinations the airline is launching this year."

Air New Zealand began operating a Singapore route in January and its new direct service to Houston begins on December 15.

Both Air New Zealand and Air China will celebrate their new alliance service to Beijing on December 10.

AirlineRatings.com rates more than 435 airlines around the globe to determine its award winners.

To gain a top ten position, airlines must have achieved a seven star safety rating and demonstrate clear leadership in innovation for passenger comfort.

Top 10 airlines for 2016:

1. Air New Zealand

2. Qantas

3. Etihad

4. Cathay Pacific

5. Singapore Airlines

6. Emirates

7. EVA Air

8. Virgin Atlantic /Virgin Australia

9. All Nippon Airways

10. Lufthansa

Do you agree with the rankings? Let us know in the comments.

 - Stuff

Last updated 10:06, December 2 2015

Flights delayed at Nelson Airport due to bad weather conditions

Flights are grounded in Nelson due to bad weather. Nelson Airport operations manager James Middlewick said low cloud was preventing aircrafts from making a full landing in Nelson.

"Although the airport is always open, it's the airlines that make the decision whether to fly or not."

He said it was likely the weather, and the groundings, would continue for a while longer.

Stuff

Last updated 13:32, December 2 2015

Air New Zealand cops flak for poking fun at Jetstar

Air New Zealand has sent itself to the naughty corner after poking fun at rival Australian airline Jetstar. On the same day Jetstar's first new regional routes took off Air New Zealand launched an attack on the low cost carrier with a snarky newspaper advertisement.

The advert, which appears in The Dominion Post and the New Zealand Herald, quotes Jetstar's claim to being "New Zealand's most punctual domestic airline", alongside a photo of a Jetstar plane with a Pinocchio-like nose.

READ MORE:

* Jetstar's Napier to Auckland regional flight a first for low cost carrier

* New era of cheaper airfares may be here for good

* Air NZ joins $9 price war, Jetstar announces new NZ routes

Air New Zealand also posted the image to its Facebook page, along with the caption: "When is it OK to be fashionably late?"

 Facebook users took exception to the advertisement with some calling it "black marketing", "not classy" and "hypocritical".

Air New Zealand responded to the negative feedback by posting a picture of a sad kiwi bird standing in a corner with the words "Whoops! We were just poking a bit of fun at our big Aussie cousins. #naughtycorner".

Marketing expert Brandon Wilcox of Evolve Marketing said Air New Zealand was engaging in negative advertising instead of getting on with the business of competing with Jetstar, which could backfire on it.

"Kiwis will be loyal to their own, which is Air New Zealand, but also support the underdog which in this case is Jetstar," Wilcox said.

Air New Zealand was at risk of be perceived as having "sour grapes" for Jetstar entering its turf, he said.

"It's a very dangerous game."

Asked whether Jetstar would engage in Air New Zealand's name calling tactics Jetstar head of New Zealand Grant Kerr said it was business as usual for the low cost carrier.

"It looks like we've got up their nose," Kerr said.

While another spokesman added: "Air NZ has finally dropped their fares on regional routes and now they are promoting our regional airline, although they haven't got their facts right. It's amazing what a little competition will do.

"We're very proud of our focus on punctuality and report our results transparently each month on our website, which Air NZ has stopped doing."

Jetstar says performance figures showed its flights were the most on-time of the two major carriers in nine out of 12 months last year.

The figures compared jet services and measured flights departing within 10 minutes of schedule between January and June 2014 and within 15 minutes of schedule between July and December 2014.

But the validity of the comparison has been questioned, as Air New Zealand operates a larger fleet and more domestic flights than Jetstar.

A spokeswoman for Air New Zealand said more recent statistics showed the airline operated the most reliable domestic jet service in New Zealand, outperforming Jetstar's on-time performance seven out of 10 months in the calendar year to October.

Air New Zealand published its statistics on its website quarterly to reflect the overall trend that was most relevant and helpful to customers, she said.

Competition between the airlines has been hotting up since Jetstar announced in June it would expand its network to Nelson, Napier, Palmerston North and New Plymouth using a fleet of five 50-seat Bombardier Q300 turbo-prop aircraft.

When tickets first went on sale a price war broke out between the two, with regional airfares selling for as low as $9.

Jetstar launched its first flight from Napier to Auckland on Tuesday morning, departing three minutes ahead of schedule, according to a Jetstar spokesman.

Jetstar CEO David Hall said demand for the new regional services had exceeded expectations, with nearly 3500 customers booked on the first week and average loads of more than 85 per cent.

Last month Air New Zealand announced it would purchase 15 new ATR72-600 aircraft to operate its regional services, four of which would allow for further growth on regional routes and 11 to replace its ATR72-500 fleet.

 - Stuff

SIOBHAN DOWNES AND JOHN ANTHONY

Last updated 14:33, December 1 2015

The big airline shake-up: Five reasons why Jetstar's new services are a revolution

Jetstar's regional flights starting this week are a big shake-up. Photo / Dean Purcell Jetstar is tomorrow morning launching Napier-Auckland-Nelson flights and services to New Plymouth and Palmerston North will follow next year. Aviation reporter Grant Bradley explains why it's one of the biggest shake-ups to domestic aviation in a decade.

1. There's a price war Regional fliers have never had it so good. Jetstar launched with thousands of fares launched at $9 and says that thousands more have been sold for under $50. Incumbent Air New Zealand responded immediately with cut price fares and the timing of the announcement earlier this month on bringing in new aircraft to serve provincial towns - with the promise of even more pressure to keep fares down - was not coincidental.

2. There's an airline war Air New Zealand doesn't break out the contribution that regional routes make to its bottom line but its competitive response is a sign it's up for a fight. As chief executive Christopher Luxon says, New Zealand doesn't lose to Australia at home. But Jetstar is not going away. Tomorrow marks a decade of flying in this country, it started with Christchurch to Sydney flights, and its domestic jet operation is now making money and parent company Qantas is now firmly back in the black.

3. There's a whiff of revenge Qantas has been hurt by the attack of Virgin Australia, 26 per cent owned by Air New Zealand, on its lucrative domestic home turf. While there's a capacity truce the damage has been done.

Launching into Air New Zealand's regional patch gives Qantas the chance to turn up the heat here. Jetstar says it will.

4. It should be different this time Jetstar's launch into the domestic market flying main trunk routes seven years ago was marred by delays. It had a schedule that was too ambitious and included weather-sensitive Queenstown and it took a long time to shake off the image of being late. Jetstar has a fleet of five 50-seat Bombardier Q300 aircraft to fly here, with one being largely spare. It is also stationing staff overnight in centres it is flying from to ensure it can fly the first service of the day.

5. There's a political dividend Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key had a dig at Air New Zealand over regional air fares before the 2014 election and an airline review led to lower overall fares, and to some services being cut, and a new focus by the national carrier on its regional operation. Mission accomplished for Key who was also happy to lend his blessing to Jetstar's regional launch where he said those outside the main centres would be openly cheering. Mayors who have long felt aggrieved by Air New Zealand's service are very happy.

- NZ Herald

Grant Bradley

Aviation, tourism and energy writer for the Business Herald

1:34 PM Monday Nov 30, 2015

Jetstar touches down in Nelson a little late

Jetstar's first flight into Nelson was a little late but was met with a rousing welcome. The flight from Auckland touched down on Tuesday afternoon about 20 minutes late because of weather conditions.

Jetstar's New Zealand corporate communications manager Phil Boeyen said the flight was "fantastic".

"[There were] wonderful people on board, everyone had some great bargains, [there were] people who had scored $9 flights."

The flight was welcomed by Mayor Rachel Reese, Archdeacon Andy Joseph and Broadgreen Intermediate School's kapa haka group.

Boeyen said the school's welcome was brilliant.

"The roof soared off... It was a really fantastic welcome to Nelson."

The airline will fly return flights three times a day between Nelson and Auckland, expanding to four times a day from February 1. Return flights from Nelson to Wellington will also commence in February.

Nelson was chosen as a destination after Jetstar ran a social media campaign to determine support. The other locations are New Plymouth, Napier and Palmerston North.

Passenger Annemie Dupont from Belgium, who was in Nelson for paragliding and walking the Abel Tasman Track, said the flight was good.

Stuff

Last updated 08:30, December 2 2015

Air New Zealand ad accuses Jetstar of Pinocchio-like behaviour

A model Jetstar plane during Jetstar big expansion announcement earlier this year. Photo / Getty Images

Jetstar's new regional services touched down six minutes early, a counter-punch to rival Air New Zealand's advert accusing it of delays.

Jetstar said it was "amazed" at Air New Zealand's tactics, saying it showed just how much "a little competition will do".

The airline's operations centre said its new regional service took off three minutes early.

The ad run in the Herald newspaper.

The 50-seat Bombardier Q300 landed in Auckland to a full water arch welcome from fire trucks on the tarmac after its flight from Napier.

The Napier-Auckland-Nelson service will be followed next February with flights to Palmerston North and New Plymouth as the Australian-owned airline challenges Air New Zealand on regional routes that have been very lucrative, depending on the number of full fare paying passengers aboard.

Air New Zealand responded by dropping fares to match Jetstar's $9 introductory offers, announcing additional new planes.

But it is the advert running in today's Herald that signals just how rough the fight between the two airlines will be.

The advert, a nod to Pinocchio's nose when telling lies, showed a Jetstar jet with an elongated nose accompanied by Jetstar's statement "We're New Zealand's most punctual domestic airline".

The departure data by both airlines is a source of friction between them with disagreement over how they're reported and debate over the validity of comparing the much bigger Air New Zealand with Jetstar.

The Australian airline started flying main trunk jet routes in 2008 and although its entry was marred by poor initial on time performance, it has improved since. It says it has trialled routes and built slack into its regional services to try and avoid teething problems.

Politicians at national and local level have welcomed competition on regional routes which they say will help businesses cut costs and make travel for families easier.

A Jetstar spokesman disagreed with Air New Zealand's take on on time departures.

"Air NZ has finally dropped their fares on regional routes and now they are promoting our regional airline, although they haven't got their facts right. It's amazing what a little competition will do,'' he said.

Jetstar was proud of its focus on punctuality and reported results each month on its website, which Air NZ had stopped doing, the spokesman said.

"We'll respond as we always do - by bringing our low fares to more Kiwis than ever before."

- NZ Herald

Grant Bradley

Aviation, tourism and energy writer for the Business Herald

10:43 AM Tuesday Dec 1, 2015

Jetstar taking off from Nelson

Jetstar's first flight out of Nelson will take off into rainy skies today headed for Auckland. The flight is the company's first out of the city since it announced in September it would connect Nelson with Auckland and Wellington. The Wellington flights will begin on February 1.

The routes are part of Jetstar's new regional network which will see low fares for five routes between New Plymouth, Nelson, Napier, Palmerston North, Auckland and Wellington.

To celebrate the new routes Jetstar offered $9 one-way fares for a limited time. Regular one-way lead-in fares between Nelson and Wellington are $45 and between Nelson and Auckland are $49.

Jetstar now take the total number of airlines flying out of Nelson to six, and Nelson Airport chief executive Rob Evans has said that would be good for the customer.

He has said Jetstar's announcement to fly 27 Nelson-Auckland flights and 21 Nelson-Wellington a week was a "game-changer".

Last updated 11:01, December 1 2015

Kiwi Regional Airlines stops Queenstown flights, looks to other regions in future

One month after commencing flights between Dunedin and Queenstown, Kiwi Regional Airlines has announced it will be ceasing these services, with the last flight on 30th November 2015. Kiwi’s CEO, Ewan Wilson, said, “The services to Queenstown have been extremely challenging for our company, with a combination of several weather-related cancellations and low passenger bookings making it unsustainable for this service to continue.”

“This is in marked contrast to our services between Dunedin, Nelson and Hamilton, which have all exceeded expectations for the first month of operation, leading us to look at new regions for expansion into in the future, such as Hawkes Bay, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki.”

“Like most private companies in New Zealand, Kiwi operates without any Government or overseas backing, and cannot afford to subsidise operations that are not financially viable.”

“We made a commercial decision to end the scheduled Queenstown flights before they affected the performance of our whole company, but we have left it open to return to the city at a future date, for charters or potential alternative scheduled services.”

“All passengers who have booked on Queenstown flights after 30th November will be offered full refunds or other alternative arrangements by Kiwi, and are being contacted this week.”

“Staff and contractors affected by this decision have already been contacted by company management.”

Kiwi Regional Air media release

Flights cancelled as 144kmh winds slam Wellington

Planes and ferries have been cancelled in Wellington as gusts of more than 144kmh slam the lower North Island. Five arrivals to Wellington Airport have been cancelled so far, including one from Queenstown and one from Rotorua.

Five departures from the airport had also been cancelled, and other flights were delayed or diverted to Palmerston North and Paraparaumu.

A plane has a rough landing in Wellington.

READ MORE: * High winds ground helicopters fighting forest fires * Gales or rain for most, rain for many on Saturday * Six houses evacuated as wind fans Marlborough blaze * Storm forces road closures and power outages in Queenstown and Central Otago * Big blaze at Little River

An Air New Zealand spokeswoman confirmed the numerous delays in and out of Wellington Airport were caused by the wind. She could not say how many passengers were affected.

A Wellington Airport spokeswoman said international flights were operating as normal.

The airport would be updating travellers throughout the day.

Wellington's East by West ferry has cancelled its Seatoun service and restricted sailings to Eastbourne. Ferries now leave Wellington for Eastbourne at 4.30pm, 5.30pm, and 6.30pm.

An Interislander spokesperson said ferries were running to schedule but, with winds of more than 135kmh in Cook Strait, passengers were having to stay inside.

"With these extremely high winds, as a safety precaution, we have closed off the outside deck [and] viewing  areas to ensure passenger safety," Interislander general manager Mark Thompson said.

Bluebridge ferries were also sailing on time.

NZTA has a wind warning out for the State Highway 2 Rimutaka Hill Rd and says motorcycles and high-sided vehicles should take extra care on the winding route between Wairarapa and Hutt Valley.

MetService data shows that Mt Kaukau above Wellington gusted to 135kmh on Friday morning, while Kelburn reached 130kmh, the Rimutaka summit reached 144kmh, and Wellington Airport reached 102kmh.

MetService has a warning for severe northwest gales for Wellington through Friday.

The Fire Service had been called to getaway roofing iron and a blown away trampoline in the Hutt Valley suburb of Wainuiomata.

 - Stuff

FAIRFAX NZ TOM HUNT

Last updated 15:26, November 27 2015

Deloitte Top 200: CEO of the Year - Christopher Luxon, Air NZ

Facing hard issues and finding win-win solutions

Air New Zealand's CEO Christopher Luxon, winner of the Executive of the Year title.

"There is a mission and purpose that I've signed up for that is bigger than myself," says Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon, when asked to describe his core leadership values.

Luxon, the 2015 Deloitte Top 200 Executive of the Year, is very clear about his success being underpinned by a strong team.

"The most important part of it actually is the casting of the leadership team and I'm really proud of the leadership team we have in place," he says. "My job is just to be the best leader I can be in a team of great leaders."

But there is no doubt Luxon, who is now four years into his time at Air New Zealand, has made an enormous personal contribution to the company and big impact on the local business scene.

After serving as Group General Manager International he took over as chief executive from Rob Fyfe in January 2013.

"You can't deny that Air NZ's financial performance and increase in profitability has coincided with Christopher taking on the role as CEO," says Award Judge Cathy Quinn, chair at Minter Ellison Rudd Watts. "Airlines are seen as difficult business to run profitably. Air New Zealand faces big and large competitors with deep pockets."

See video: CEO of the year

It has been a good run financially, Luxon says. "We've had three or four years of record results and expanding profits. The market cap of the company has almost tripled over the past three years."

In August the airline announced a net profit of $327 million in the 12 months to June, up 24 per cent on the same period last year. Its pre-tax normalised earnings were $496 million, up 49 per cent on the previous year.

But financial results are only one part of it, Luxon says.

"A lot of it is about: how do we take those profits and pour them back into the company to enhance the customer proposition and the culture of the company? When we look at the cultural metrics of how we perform and the customer service metrics as well as the commercial performance those are the three lenses by which we measure success."

Luxon's has been deft at balancing the softer aspects of the good practice with hard-nosed decision making.

We have raised ambition for this company. But we can't do it on our own, so we're working with our union partners in a very different way, we're working with the tourism industry in quite a different way and we're working with our trade partners in a different way.

"Christopher is a CEO who is seen as being willing to face the hard issues, talk about them and be willing to look for win win solutions where possible," Quinn said. "For example, his being willing to front that some routes just do not make business sense to operate unless more demand can be created. Christopher has talked to some regions about their attracting more tourism by holding events in the shoulder season -- that is good for the regions, Air NZ and its customers."

Luxon, 45, grew up in Christchurch and made his name on the international business stage. He rose through the ranks at global food and consumer goods group Unilever -- a company he joined after completing his MBA at Canterbury University.

Prior to joining Air New Zealand he was president and CEO of Unilever Canada.

See video: Red carpet with Holly Ryan

In the face of widespread technological disruption of the business world, Luxon says he feels happy to be in a business that knows exactly what it will be doing in five or 15 years.

"We know we will still be an airline and fundamentally the aircraft technology won't change a lot over that time."

But the company this year appointed a chief digital officer and Luxon says the big tech challenge is around how the company interacts with its customers.

Collaboration with the wider business community is also something Luxon has pushed during his time leading Air New Zealand.

He is widely seen as a leader who has engaged with other participants in the sector with a view to improving the experience of tourists to New Zealand, Quinn says.

The company takes a lead role in promoting New Zealand as a tourist destination and has made a big impact marketing itself around high profile Kiwi icons like the All Blacks and the Hobbit movies.

"We have raised ambition for this company. But we can't do it on our own," Luxon says. "So we're working with our union partners in a very different way, we're working with the tourism industry in quite a different way and we're working with our trade partners in a different way."

"I go around the world and people tell us we shouldn't exist anymore. But we do exist because we have tremendous support from the New Zealand people.

"All of Air New Zealand's success is owned by many many people." - Liam Dann

- NZME.

5:00 AM Friday Nov 27, 2015

Air New Zealand’s Airband™ a world first

Air New Zealand has introduced a world first for children flying unaccompanied, giving parents and guardians the opportunity to follow the steps in their journey.

Children travelling alone on Air New Zealand services will now receive an Airband™ at check-in as part of the service.  The wristband is embedded with a chip which is scanned at key stages of the journey to trigger text notifications to up to five nominated contacts.

Air New Zealand General Manager Customer Experience Carrie Hurihanganui says Airband is a great example of the airline investing in technology to enhance the customer experience.

“We know that having your child travel on their own can be a nervous time for both children and their guardians.  While our staff have always taken great care of children travelling solo, we identified that there was an opportunity to enhance the experience for kids while at the same time giving caregivers further peace of mind and visibility of their journey,” says Ms Hurihanganui.

“We believe this is the first time this type of technology has been used by an airline anywhere in the world for the purpose of providing caregivers greater peace of mind when their child is travelling alone.  We have been trialling it across our network over recent months and the feedback from parents and guardians has been very positive with many welcoming the additional reassurance of knowing where in the journey their child is.”

Air New Zealand is the only carrier in New Zealand offering a service for children travelling alone.

The airline’s new service applies to all children aged between five and 11 who’re travelling alone – but those aged up to 16 years can choose to opt in.

The new service is being offered on a complimentary basis through until 3 February 2016.  Bookings made from this date will incur a fee of $15 per child for each one way domestic journey, or $40 per child for each one way international journey applies.

Find out more information on this service and how to book.

Air New Zealand’s new Airband™

25 November 2015 12:00

Air New Zealand media release

Air New Zealand drops Christchurch to Kapiti flights

Air New Zealand will cut flights between Christchurch and the Kapiti Coast, due to a lack of demand.

The Kapiti Coast Airport to Christchurch route had been operating at a loss since it was launched two years ago, a statement from the airline said.

"Unfortunately the Paraparaumu to Christchurch route has been operating regularly at little over half full and that's simply not sustainable long term,"  group general manager for New Zealand and Pacific Islands Louise Struthers said.

The airline was increasing return services on the more popular route between Kapiti and Auckland by two per week, to a total of 16 weekly flights.

Struthers said this would create more opportunity for customers to connect via Auckland to the rest of the airline's domestic and international network.

READ MORE:

* Air NZ trials Kapiti airport * Kapiti to Christchurch flights from November

Air New Zealand launched the daily service between Kapiti and Christchurch in November 2013 using 50-seater Bombardier Q300 aircraft.

At the time, Kapiti Coast Airport chairman Sir Noel Robinson said it was a big step forward and would boost tourism in the district.

"For the international traveller, it means they can come to Kapiti before going to the South Island, instead of going to Wellington and missing Kapiti out."

Kapiti Mayor Ross Church said he was disappointed to see the Christchurch service go, "however there simply hasn't been the demand we had hoped for".

"Kapiti residents accounted for 93 per cent of the total seats booked so our people were using the service – but flights that are regularly only half full aren't sustainable."

He said the council had worked with Air New Zealand to promote the service.

"We did raise concerns that the late morning flight from Kapiti and early afternoon return made the route unattractive to business commuters.  Unfortunately Air New Zealand was unable to accommodate different times within their schedule."

The last Paraparaumu to Christchurch service will be on February 28. Passengers already booked on services beyond that date will be given the option of flying via Wellington or Auckland, or receiving a full refund.

Flights from Paraparaumu to Auckland started in October 2011.

 - Stuff

Last updated 13:10, November 20 2015

Domestic flight security changes likely to address terrorism risk - Government

Changes to security rules for domestic flights in New Zealand are likely due to the rising risk of a terrorist attack, Transport Minister Simon Bridges says.

Global aviation security rules have been under scrutiny since a bomb brought down a Russian passenger plane over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula last month, killing all 224 people on board.

Russia's FSB security service said on Wednesday (NZT) that a bomb had brought down the plane, and the Islamic State terrorist group later released a photo of the bomb that it said had been used in the attack.

The device Islamic State claims brought down a Russian airliner.

Terror attacks in Paris last week which killed 129 people have also created unease around the world about the rising threat of terrorism.

Bridges said the Government had started a review of domestic aviation security arrangements last year, after New Zealand's terror risk level was upgraded.

He did not want to pre-empt the review's findings or discuss any "particular vulnerabilities" that there could be, but said the Government was not aware of any specific flaws with the security of domestic flights.

READ MORE: * Islamic State releases picture of bomb it says downed Russian passenger plane * Distance, spy network means NZ less vulnerable to attack - John Key * Russian plane crashes, all 224 on board dead * Investigators '90 per cent sure' a bomb exploded on jet * Islamic State release picture bomb saying it downed Russian plane * Paris attack: Video of tense gunfight surfaces * Timeline - Five hours of terror that shook Paris * Paris raids: 'Dead' terror leader Abdelhamid Abaaoud planned more attacks

The review would cover a wide range of potential aviation security risks and was likely to lead to changes by next year, Bridges said.

"It'll look at everything from cabin crew through to the baggage, the cargo, the catering, obviously the ground crew and the like on the ground, and I think change is likely."

He denied the current security arrangements were "lax", but said the Egypt bombing and terrorist attacks in Paris meant it was prudent to look at changes.

"I don't think it's been lax -  I think it's been appropriate, if you like, proportionate for where we've been, but what is true is the risk level has elevated somewhat at the end of last year.

"We're not aware of specific threats or risks in relation to New Zealand so the risk level hasn't changed [since the bombing] but we're only human...so we do need to make our way through [the review]."

An Air New Zealand spokesperson said they worked closely with the government and would adapt their security practices if advised to.

"Naturally we always comply with security standards set by New Zealand and international regulators and we welcome working with the government on any potential enhancements to safety and security for the benefit of our customers."

 - Stuff

SAM SACHDEVA

Last updated 20:00, November 19 2015

AKL-LAX fare war begins

Cheaper flights will tempt more Kiwis to visit Disneyland.

The long-awaited airfare war between New Zealand and the United States has taken off and is being welcomed by the Kiwi travel and tourism industry.

More Kiwis will be heading to Disneyland after American Airlines confirmed yesterday that it will start flying between Los Angeles and Auckland from June next year. Air New Zealand reacted by cutting its airfares to Los Angeles from about $785 to $499.

Doug Parker, chief executive of American Airlines, the world's biggest airline, said fares had not yet been set but they would be competitive.

The new service, which involves daily flights on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner for much of the year, will need regulatory approvals.

Air NZ operates 18 return services a week from Auckland to Los Angeles, a daily service from Auckland to San Francisco, four services a week to Vancouver, Canada and four services a week to Honolulu, Hawaii.

From December 15, Air New Zealand will also start direct services from Auckland to Houston, Texas five times a week.

American Airlines had been scouting the New Zealand market this year after deepening an alliance with Qantas.

Pukekohe man Ben Smith, who is doing his PhD in social psychology at the University of Southern California, said it was "great news". "If the prices really drop ... that would make it much easier for me."

Transport Minister Simon Bridges announced yesterday that he had authorised the alliance in New Zealand. "This new service will give more choice and lower fares for travellers on the Auckland to Los Angeles route," he said.

Flight Centre said the new route meant a greater choice for customers.

House of Travel called it a "game-changer". Its commercial director Brent Thomas said the new flight route meant Air NZ no longer had the monopoly on the American market, and that this was bound to lead to more competitive airfares across the Pacific.

About 140,000 Kiwis travelled to the US for holidays each year but he expected that to rise by about 15 per cent as capacity increases and airfare prices go down.

Air NZ has been the only airline offering direct flights to Los Angeles after Qantas pulled out of its loss-making service three years ago.

Chief executive Christopher Luxon said increased competition on the route was not unexpected.

"We're ready for it and we look forward to it."

Auckland Airport also welcomed the announcement and estimated that it would boost seat capacity between the two countries by 16 per cent and contribute $199 million a year to the New Zealand economy.

Chief executive of the Tourism Industry Association, Chris Roberts, said the American Airlines route will grow the valuable US visitor market to New Zealand and encourage American travellers to see more of New Zealand by offering connections with JetStar's growing regional network.

American Airlines

• To start flying daily for much of the year from LA to Auckland from June.

• Has not yet set fares.

Air NZ

• 18 return services a week from Auckland to LA, daily flights to San Francisco, four services a week to Vancouver and four to Honolulu, and from next month will start direct services to Houston five times a week.

• Has slashed airfares to Los Angeles from about $785 to $499.

By Grant Bradley

Herald

Thursday, 12 November 2015

Air NZ glitch caused delays worldwide

Air New Zealand says a technical issue affecting check in for flights worldwide has now been resolved.

The airline said earlier this morning said it was "actively investigating the cause and a further update will be provided when more information is available".

A new release just through says "Air New Zealand has resolved the technical issue which affected check in for flights earlier today. Air New Zealand thanks customers for their patience while it has worked to resolve the issue."

An Auckland Airport spokesman said there had been "very little impact on Auckland Airport's operations as a result of the technical problem."

Manual check-in was still available at airport counters however customers were told they "may experience delays checking in for their flight and are advised to allow more time to complete check-in until the issue is resolved."

People travelling at Auckland Airport said on Twitter there had been long queues for the manual check in counter.

The queues were completely clear by 10am, with some jet setters expressing relief they weren't caught up in the wait.

One couple traveling to Perth said they did not have to wait at all.

They did not see the queues.

"We just missed it apparently, the Air New Zealand woman just told us.

"We're lucky. You don't want that when you're flying."

Two Air New Zealand staff members were helping the handful for remaining passengers check in at machines.

The rest of the check in area - including about 50 self check in stations - was clear of waiting passengers.

Carole Wilson and her family had left plenty of time to get to the airport from Orewa for their afternoon flight today.

She said she had not heard about the queues but was happy they missed them.

"Very lucky we came early," she said.

"The traffic was way back at Oteha as well but we just flew by in the bus lane."

An Air New Zealand employee, who was working during the rush, said there was not too much delay for passengers.

The manual check-in system was able to get passengers through just as fast as the self check-in systems, he said.

There was a small queue as people realised the self check-in machines weren't working but it cleared fast, he said.

NZ's biggest science conference heading to Nelson

The biggest biological science conference in the country is heading to Nelson next year after being hosted for more than two decades in Queenstown.

Queenstown Research Week, which has been held in the southern lakes region for the last 25 years, will be held in Nelson for the first time in August.

Conference co-ordinator Peter Shepherd said the only venue in Queenstown big enough to hold the conference was undergoing renovations next year so they had to find an alternative venue.

It's grown to a point where last year, over the whole week we had 10 different meetings running consecutively, said Shepherd.

More than 1200 people attended this year's conference and Shepherd expected that number to grow.

Queenstown Research Week co-ordinator, professor Peter Shepherd.

READ MORE: High-tech DNA sequencer launched at Queenstown Research Week

The week consists of co-ordinated but independently run meetings that cover a range of areas of science including the New Zealand Medical Sciences Congress and the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists.

Next year's conference will be made up of 13 different meetings that cover a wide range of topics, including plant research through to cancer, stem cells and heart disease amongst others.

The concept to host them at the same time developed from three different iconic New Zealand scientific meetings each of which were held annually in Queenstown.

"Nelson appealed because of the connectivity via Nelson airport and the competition with new airlines, makes it a bit more of a feasible place to have large meetings."

The conference centre at the Rutherford Hotel also provided suitable facilities to accommodate the growing event.

The recently introduced direct route between Dunedin and Nelson meant scientists from the University of Otago could easily make it to Nelson.

Shepherd said he had received a very enthusiastic reception from local tourism agencies and high schools to bring some high level science to the region.

"I think the people of Nelson are a very intelligent and literate bunch and are interested in attending the public events."

He said all of those things added up to Nelson being a fantastic alternative for the conference next year.

A number of events will be open to the public and students during the week including one with Nobel prize winner and developmental biologist professor Sir John Gurdon.

 - Stuff

SAMANTHA GEE

Last updated 10:40, November 13 2015

Air New Zealand confirms a Vietnam route and hints at the Philippines next

Air New Zealand has hinted the Philippines is also on its radar, on the same day it announced it would fly to Vietnam. From June to October, 2016 Air New Zealand will fly three times a week from Auckland to Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport with the potential to expand the season in subsequent years.

Air New Zealand chief strategy, networks and alliance officer Stephen Jones said the Philippines was also "a market of interest" for the airline.

"It's a big market, it's growing, there's a lot of Filipinos in New Zealand," Jones said.

There was also strong two way traffic between New Zealand and the Philippines, he said.

Air New Zealand has previously said it was evaluating at least one other long haul route for launch in 2016.

Kiwi travellers will soon have direct access to Vietnam.

In December Philippine Airlines will start flying to Auckland from Manila, operating four days a week using an Airbus A320 with a stopover in Cairns, Australia.

Air New Zealand would service the non-stop 11 hour Vietnam flight with  a 224-seat Boeing 767-300 aircraft but may eventually upgauge to a 302 seat 787-9 Dreamliner, Jones said.

READ MORE: Ten reasons to visit Ho Chi Minh city

Airfares had not been set but prices would be competitive when they go on sale early in 2015, he said.

He expected outbound New Zealand travel to Vietnam would make up about 85 per cent of passengers on the route.

A small team of less than 10 Air New Zealand staff would be on the ground in Vietnam.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges congratulated Air New Zealand on New Zealand's first ever route to Vietnam.

"I think it's an inspired choice" Bridges said.

Vietnam was an important market for New Zealand exports including agriculture, horticulture, energy, tourism and aviation trade, he said.

Bridges said earlier this year he signed an air services agreement with Vietnam's Ministry of Transport which "liberalised things" enabling direct flights and codesharing between the two countries.

The Government was interested in signing more air services agreements with Pacific rim countries.

"One of the areas that's got a huge amount of potential legs is Latin America."

With Air New Zealand launching flights to Buenos Ares in December the Government would like to make flights to other Latin American countries possible, he said.

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key said more than 15,000 New Zealanders travel to Vietnam each year a Vietnam route was likely to increase that number.

AN EXOTIC DESTINATION

Air New Zealand's chief executive Christopher Luxon said the service was significantly more convenient, and quicker than current indirect options to Vietnam.

House of Travel commercial director Brent Thomas said he expected the route to be skewed towards New Zealand outbound traffic as opposed to inbound Vietnamese.

"From our perspective, the new flight route from Air New Zealand isn't targeting those wanting to visit friends and family or travel for business purposes – it's a response to Vietnam's surge in popularity for Kiwi holidays," Thomas said.

This was supported by the fact that the route was seasonal, he said.

"If we estimate 700 seats per week are available over five months, we reckon we'll see around 10,000 Kiwis taking advantage of this new flight route and heading over to Vietnam."

Flight Centre NZ general manager product Sean Berenson said in 2015 it reported a 10 per cent increase in bookings to Vietnam, compared to the previous year.

"Traditionally Thailand and Bali have been key holiday spots for New Zealanders, particularly within the youth market, but Vietnam has been growing in recent years," Berenson said.

READ MORE: * Air New Zealand expected to announce new route * American Airlines to fly Auckland-LA route

Statistics New Zealand figures show nearly 16,000 travellers left New Zealand for Vietnam in the 12 months to September, which was flat on the same period the previous year.

The announcement was made less than two days 48 hours after American Airlines announced it would take on Air New Zealand on the Auckland to Los Angeles route from June 25, 2016, through an alliance with Qantas, with tickets going on sale on November 23.

Air New Zealand starts flying Auckland to Buenos Aires three times a week from December 1 and Auckland to Houston five times a week from December 15.

On December 10 a new alliance between Air New Zealand and Air China begins with flights from Auckland to Beijing serviced by Air China's A330-200 aircraft.

 - Stuff

JOHN ANTHONY

Last updated 11:51, November 13 2015

Airport CEO discusses equipment move

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7DaPMyQbNs&feature=youtu.be