Nelson collector finds historic letter opener at Salvation Army store

It has been discovered the silver aircraft opener was made by the late silversmith Jens Hansen as a gift for the then Prime Minister Bill Rowling to mark the opening of the Nelson Airport Terminal in 1975.

A savvy collector's thrift store purchase has recovered a piece of Nelson's history just two weeks after it parted ways with its original owner.

Owner of Hardy St shop Cubicle Kim Brice found the sterling silver letter opener made by Nelson jeweller Jens Hansen and gifted to then-prime minister Bill Rowling at the 1975 opening of a Nelson Airport terminal building in the Vanguard St Salvation Army store.

Brice, who briefly worked for Jens Hansen 1985, said he said he immediately recognised the jeweller's stamp on the aeroplane-shaped opener, which he purchased for $125.

Kim Brice, left, and Hafdan Hansen with the letter opener found in a Salvation Army store.

He was not aware of its history and former ownership.

"Anyone else could have got it and put it on TradeMe so I feel pretty privileged," Brice said.

He called Jens' son Hafdan Hansen who said he never saw the item at the time of its commission but recognised it from old photographs.

Jens Hansen with silver letter opener he crafted for former prime minister Bill Rowling in 1975

"I knew instantly then they said 'letter opener' and I went straight to the scrapbook."

The opener was donated to the Salvation Army two weeks ago when Lady Glen Rowling downsized to move into a Milton St retirement home.

Her son Carl Rowling said he was delighted the opener had come into Brice's hands rather than falling into "the clutches of obscurity".

Nelson Provincial Museum Collection

Former prime minister Bill Rowling, second from right, at the 1975 opening of Nelson Airport Terminal.

"There's a long connection between our two families. We went to Waimea College together and both our families used to holiday in Kaiteriteri together.

"We were always very conscious of Jens' work so I suspect that if anyone had known what it was that it wouldn't have been thrown out. Unfortunately it got caught up in that and ended up as a wonderful donation to the Salvation Army."

Hansen said the piece was commissioned at a time when his father, 15 years deceased, was "at the height of his national fame", having been awarded a Queen Elizabeth II arts grant.

"I'm always proud of my dad and it just makes me remember that back then he was at the top of his game and had a place in the Nelson community.

"He moved to New Zealand in 1952 as a 12-year-old boy from Denmark. Coming [to Nelson] he wanted to be accepted so was a vote from the community when they turned to him to make that."

The opener was difficult to value given the intrinsic value of the silver used and the intangible value of its prime-ministerial ownership, he said.

Brice will display the opener in his shop, though it won't be for sale. He is considering donating it or a replica to Te Papa at a later date.

 - Stuff

ADELE REDMOND

Last updated 12:37, January 19 2016

Tourists to Nelson on the rise in bumper season

Nelson's warm sunny weather and an increase in tourists are boosting sales and bringing a buzz to the city.

While a couple of rainy days over New Years threatened sales at the Saturday market, stall holders say tourists have continued to pack out the market every week.

"There's definitely a lot more tourists around, they come in waves," said Abstrax.on Textiles stallholder Louise Neilson.

She said things were only going to get better from here given that there were still a few warm months to come.

Echo Echo stall holder Lyn Watkins said tourist numbers had picked up at the market and cheaper flights in and out of the region could be a contributing factor.

"I've seen a few more Aucklanders... for a lot of people at the market we need to be busy December through to March before winter. It's good to have them about," he said.

While Nelson Tasman Tourism was yet to receive specific statistics on the tourist count to Nelson this summer, chief executive Lynda Keene said feedback from across all industries had been positive.

She said foot traffic at Nelson i-SITE was up 15 per cent this summer which was a good indicator that more tourists were coming to the region.

"The people that come through the door reflect the people going out and spending funds."

She said the new airlines that launched in Nelson over 2015 were factors in contributing to the increase.

"Jetstar, Originair and Kiwi Regional have really helped us make a profile of the region, we're now getting a broader reach into different parts of the world," she said.

With the impending launch of the Jetstar Nelson to Wellington service and the return of popular winter events including Light Nelson, the bumper season looked set to continue long into 2016, said Keene.

"We're anticipating a better winter in 2016. It was a bit flat last winter... we are in good shape," she said.

Tasman's Great Taste Trail has also proved to be a drawcard for visitors, with trail counters showing a 19 per cent increase in users over 2015.

A total of 224,000 people used the trail over the year, said Nelson Tasman Cycle Trust chair Gillian Wratt.

Over the 11 day Christmas and New Year period trail counters showed 13,000 people used the trail, well up from the 9000 counted in the previous year.

Hot spot Kaiteriteri also tripled its user numbers over the same period this year.

"The whole thing is ticking over nicely and businesses along the cycle trail are reaping the benefits," said Wratt.

Nicky McBride of Wheelie Fantastic in Mapua said there had been a noticeable increase in international cyclists.

"We expect numbers to continue to grow. It is our fifth season and it is shaping up to be our busiest," McBride said.

Nelson Economic Development Agency chief executive Bill Findlater said the Nelson region was stacking up well against other regions in New Zealand as the summer months brought in an influx of visitors.

"It's been a really good summer for us I think for the whole region... it just has a really good feel about it," he said.

Uniquely Nelson manager Simon Duffy said feedback from retailers in the city had been positive and things were set to get busier with the Trafalgar Street Market Day event at the end of January where he was expecting more than 8,000 people to attend.

"All the stalls are sold out and in conjunction with the buskers it's looking great," he said.

 - Stuff

JESS PULLAR

Last updated 08:08, January 18 2016

Airport security staff may strike

Airport security staff are considering a nationwide strike after being told they are losing an allowance worth $2100 a year.

Aviation security officers say they are being worked to the bone, and to make matters worse, their latest contract offer takes away the valuable transport allowance.

It is a highly unionised work force - 85 percent of 800 staff - and collectively represented by the Public Service Association, E Tū, and the National Union of Public Employees.

Listen to more on Summer Report ( 2 min 55 sec )

The PSA's Wellington organiser, George Laird, said losing the allowance would feel like a "kick in the teeth".

The allowance was the same for all employees, no matter their role.

"It's a small amount of money to recompense them for their daily travel to the airport at all hours of the day, and some people will say other companies don't provide it, but we really see the loss of the allowance as a pay drop... it makes up part of a person's overall salary," he said.

But group manager of Aviation Security Services Karen Urwin said a fair buyout offer had been made.

"Many other organisations have been through this and very few still have a transport allowance. I should also add we pay for our own staff parking at the airport," she said.

The unions voted to strike at the end of last year but decided against it due to the Christmas rush.

Mr Laird said if members were to walk off the job, flights would be cancelled and there would be a nationwide standstill.

Ms Urwin hoped it would not come to that.

"We have an amazing workforce that works damn hard and I'd be really disappointed if things ended up with a strike, but we have contingency plans in place and we'd manage to the point where the public wouldn't see any difference."

Mr Laird said the unions would also rather settle a deal than strike, which would be the first in more than two decades.

But another issue employees want resolved was an increase in workload, especially in Auckland where 730,000 passengers - the highest ever - were screened last month.

"There's stress and if you go out to Wellington airport where there's limited screening, you'll often see queues going right back," he said.

Ms Urwin said the service was currently reviewing its staffing levels and increases could be made.

No aviation security officers were able to talk to RNZ because it would breach a confidentiality clause in their contract.

Radio New Zealand News

Updated at 8:39 am 15 January 2016

Max Towle, Employment Reporter - @maxbentleytowle

Singapore Airlines could soon land in Wellington, via Australia's capital

One of the world's most prestigious airlines could soon be landing in Wellington, with Singapore Airlines expected to launch a new jumbo service between the trans-Tasman capital cities.

After months of negotiations, the airline is expected to announce a new Airbus A330 service between Canberra and Wellington on January 20, tied to a new Canberra-Singapore service.

Wellington Airport, the Wellington City Council and Singapore Airlines all declined to confirm the new route on Tuesday, after news broke across the Tasman.

"I'm aware of the media reports but at this stage its speculation and there's nothing new to say," Wellington deputy mayor Justin Lester said.

READ MORE: Wellington Airport's runway extension could pump $2b into the economy

"We are regularly talking to airlines. We are interested in improving connectivity to Wellington and would welcome any future initiative, should it eventuate."

The wide-body aircraft is expected to fly to Wellington four times a week, adding more than 1000 seats a week across the Tasman and on to Asia.

It will be the first direct scheduled service between Canberra and any New Zealand city, with the Australian capital's residents currently required to travel to Sydney or Melbourne to cross the Tasman.

This raises the prospect that Aucklanders wanting to travel to Canberra may start choosing to fly via Wellington, rather than transferring from the international to domestic terminals in Sydney.

Direct flights would also open up an attractive new tourism market. With a population of less than 400,000, Canberra is much smaller than Sydney and Melbourne, but its residents are the best paid in Australia

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average earnings in ACT in May 2015 were A$88,764 (NZ$94,462) a year, A$11,000 more than the national average.

The new route is likely to bolster supporters of a plan to extend Wellington Airport's runway, as a sign of international demand to land in the capital.

Shareholders in the airport, Infratil and the Wellington City Council, have indicated that the $300 million project to extend the runway by 354 metres would need cash from central government for it to go ahead.

Air New Zealand, which has a code-sharing agreement with Singapore Airlines, is expected to support the new route, but opposes the extension of the airport.

The Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand, which represents 21 airlines that operate in this country, including Singapore Airlines, has also expressed concerns about the viability of extending Wellington Airport's runway.

Executive director John Beckett said the fact that flying an Airbus A330 into and out of Wellington was being talked about showed other international routes were possible, without the expense of extending the runway.

Aviation commentator Peter Clark said some would see the move as proof that airlines were interested in flying long-haul to Wellington should the runway be extended, but it was worth keeping things in perspective.

"This is still only a trans-tasman flight," he said. "I  don't think we'll be seeing a rush of airlines into Wellington."

It would be interesting to see what incentives Wellington Airport had offered Singapore Airlines, and how high ticket prices would have to be to justify the route.

FIVE REASONS TO VISIT CANBERRA

1. The Australian War Memorial: It chronicles the involvement of Australia's troops in war, from the colonial period to the present. Ranked second on Trip Advisor's 2015 Top 10 Australian landmarks.

2. Parliament House: See Australian democracy in action, or simply check on who the latest prime minister is.

3. Art galleries: Dotted across the city, including the National Gallery of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery.

4. The Deep Space Communication Complex:  The nearby Tidbinbilla valley is dominated by giant antenna dishes that communicate with spacecraft exploring planets hundreds of millions of kilometres away.

5. Foliage: Canberra is home to the National Arboretum, devoted to growing trees for conservation, scientific research and educational purposes. It features 48,000 trees.

 - Stuff

HAMISH RUTHERFORD AND MICHAEL FORBES

Last updated 20:50, January 12 2016

AirAsia confirms Auckland to Gold Coast route

AirAsia has confirmed it is returning to New Zealand with daily flights from Auckland to the Gold Coast with introductory $99 one way flights. AirAsia X, the medium and long-haul operation of the AirAsia brand, will fly Kuala Lumpur to Auckland via the Gold Coast using an A330-300 with the first flight taking off from Auckland on March 22.

It is also offering limited one way flights from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur via the Gold Coast in Queensland for $249 for travel between March 22 and February 5, 2017.

Tickets go on sale at 5am Wednesday until January 24 or until sold out.

The low cost carrier last launched scheduled services to New Zealand in April 2011 with four-times weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur to Christchurch, but withdrew in May 2012 to focus on Asia and Australia.

READ MORE: AirAsia resuming flights to New Zealand

AirAsia X chief executive Benyamin Ismail used his Twitter account to hint at the airline's New Zealand route last week.

There are already up to 21 flights per week between Auckland and the Gold Coast with Air New Zealand, Jetstar and Virgin Australia all servicing the route.

Air New Zealand flies an A320 up to six times a week with flights in late March starting at $656 return for seat plus bag but no meal.

Jetstar also flies an A320 up to eight times weekly with late March return flights starting at $565 for seat plus bag and meal.

Virgin Australia flies a Boeing 737 daily with return flights in late March starting at $626 for seat plus bag and meal.

Malaysia Airlines is the only other carrier with flights from Malaysia to New Zealand operating a daily nonstop service from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur using an A333.

A return flight from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur starts from $1365 including taxes.

AirAsia's A330-300 have capacity of 377 passengers and a configuration of 365 economy seats and 12 premium flatbed seats.

The aircraft also features a "quiet zone" product reserved for passengers aged 12 and older.

The flatbed seats would also be on sale from $299 one-way to Gold Coast or $599 to Kuala Lumpur.

Flight Centre product general manager Sean Berenson said the Gold Coast was one of the most popular destinations for New Zealand holiday makers.

"It is by far the most popular holiday spot for a Kiwi traveller so they've chosen a good route," Berenson said.

AirAsia would attract a wide variety of travellers, he said.

The number of passengers which continued beyond the Gold Coast onto Kuala Lumpur would depend on how good AirAsia's connections were, he said.

The AirAsia brand started in 2001 and now flies to more than 100 destinations.

Berenson said AirAsia X offered a Kuala Lumpur to London service which could prove popular for Kiwi travellers.

If the new Auckland service worked well for AirAsia it may look to launch routes from other cities in New Zealand, he said.

House of Travel commercial director Brent Thomas said the number of New Zealanders travelling to Queensland was expected to grow.

AirAsia would also be a big player for inbound tourism to New Zealand, he said.

 - Stuff

JOHN ANTHONY

Last updated 17:58, January 12 2016

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise on bargain-hunting; Sky TV, Westpac, Air NZ gain

New Zealand shares rose as investors were drawn to companies sold off since the New Year, such as Sky Network Television and Westpac Banking Corp, while Air New Zealand benefited from lower fuel costs. Warehouse Group and New Zealand Refining Co fell. The S&P/NZX 50 Index gained 39.52 points, or 0.7 percent, to 6151.87. Within the index, 30 stocks rose, 12 fell and eight were unchanged. Turnover was $119 million.

"Confidence was definitely knocked a bit at the start of the year by China and oil, and we're seeing a bit of the volatility we saw last year," said Robert Garden, investment adviser at Craigs Investment Partners. "Our markets held up reasonably well in light of what's been going on, but with the focus on China there are a lot of unknowns and a lot of variables at play."

Sky TV led gainers, rising 3.6 percent to $4.27. The stock had fallen 11 percent from the $4.64 reached on Dec. 29 with nine consecutive sessions of losses. It has declined from as high as $6.41 in May as increased competition from the likes of Netflix threatened subscriber numbers.

"Sky TV has bounced off a low level," Garden said. "The dividend at this point in time is quite attractive, still over 9 percent. The question is whether that's going to stay in place with big structural changes in the sector. The business model isn't broke at this point in time, but the last results announcement was the drop in subscriber numbers, and that's what the market will be looking at next time around."

The low price of oil - with Brent Crude currently sitting at $31.10 a barrel - had an impact on stocks today. Air New Zealand gained 2.2 percent to $3.015, while New Zealand Refining Co dropped 1.4 percent to $3.63.

"There's always winners and losers from a drop in the oil price," Garden said. "Air New Zealand is performing well, and oil prices looking like they're going to stay low for longer gives investors more confidence to go into that stock, as long as global demand for air travel doesn't get hit as well."

Across the Tasman, the S&P/ASX 200 Index was up 1.2 percent in afternoon trading, after a nine-day slide. Dual-listed banks gained, with Westpac Banking Corp up 2.6 percent to $33.44 and Australia & New Zealand Banking Group climbing 2.3 percent to $27.28.

Metro Performance Glass rose 1.9 percent to $1.64, Argosy Property advanced 1.7 percent to $1.17, and Freightways gained 1.6 percent to $6.27.

Warehouse Group was the worst performer on the index today, falling 1.5 percent to $2.67. The retailer has given back some of its gains, having risen 5 percent on Monday after announcing its first-half profit would be a 20 percent improvement on a year earlier.

Steel & Tube Holdings dropped 1.3 percent to $2.22, Mainfreight fell 1.3 percent to $15.06, and NZX declined 1 percent to $1.04.

Outside the benchmark index, Pushpay Holdings gained 14.5 percent to $7.25, a one-month high. The mobile payments app developer, which targets churches in the US, saw more revenue flow through its system in the final quarter of last year, and is confident of achieving its medium-term target.

Annualised committed monthly revenue (ACMR), which measures the total billings through merchants that Pushpay collects fees from, increased to $20.4 million in the three months ended Dec. 31, from $14 million in the three months ended Sept. 30.

NBR

(BusinessDesk)

13 January 2016

Air NZ faces more trans-Tasman rivalry

Air New Zealand faces increased competition on hotly contested trans-Tasman routes as cheap fuel costs encourage airlines to add capacity and new routes, and dust off older, less efficient planes, helping to drive down fares.

AirAsia is to start flying from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur via Australia's Gold Coast from March 22. Its introductory $99 fare between Auckland and the Gold Coast has sold out for March 22 and is selling fast on other days they're available, the AirAsia website shows.

The cheapest Air New Zealand flight on that route for March 22 is currently $242, according to the Webjet website.

The trans-Tasman market is the most competitive for Air New Zealand, and rivalry is increasing, with reports its Star Alliance partner Singapore Airlines is to begin direct flights between Canberra and Wellington.

Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/air-nz-faces-more-trans-tasman-rivalry-2016011412#ixzz3xGoPkZZK

Air New Zealand lost market share on trans-Tasman routes in the June 2015 year, according to a First NZ Capital report.

The market grew 6.9 percent in the 12 months to June, more than three times Air New Zealand's passenger number growth.

"This isn't going to be a game-changer for Air New Zealand - this type of competition is ongoing," said Rob Mercer, head of private wealth research at Forsyth Barr. "We are going to see airfares come down over the next 12 months and we are going to see airlines look to put into service a fleet which can now be competitive on long-haul routes."

Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/air-nz-faces-more-trans-tasman-rivalry-2016011412#ixzz3xGodGPtA

Government data showed international air travel prices fell 4.2 percent in the year ended June 30, 2015, and were 21 percent lower than their peak in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Air New Zealand's shares climbed 20 percent in 2015, a year when an oversupply of oil pushed global fuel prices lower.

The stock has gained about 2 percent this year, while declining 0.5 percent to $3 today.

NZN

Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/air-nz-faces-more-trans-tasman-rivalry-2016011412#ixzz3xGokAl1k

Thursday 14 Jan 2016 12:25 p.m.

By Sophie Boot

3 News

AirAsia X to Add Flights To U.S., New Zealand and India

As originally reported by The Wall Street Journal, AirAsia X Bhd., the low-fare affiliate of the AirAsia Group, will resume flights to India and start service to the U.S. this year as the company looks to expand. Benyamin Ismail, chief executive of AirAsia X, stated that low fuel prices and increasing market potential have refueled the option to fly to India. The budget carrier will operate four flights a week between New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur. AirAsia X abandoned flights to New Delhi in 2012.

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is speculated to approve the airline’s request to operate four flights a week from the Malaysian capital to Honolulu. Last year AirAsia X had planned to start flights to Honolulu in November. Flights to Honolulu will stop over in Osaka to tap into the large number of Japanese tourists who travel to Hawaii.

AirAsia X also announced on its website that it is launching flights to Auckland, New Zealand from Kuala Lumpur via Gold Coast, Australia. The daily flights are scheduled to begin operating on March 22 and are slated to strengthen the airline’s connectivity between Asia, Australia and the North Island of New Zealand.

This brand new destination was officially launched in Kuala Lumpur Monday.

“At AirAsia X, our aim is to continue building an extensive list of exciting destinations to our guests and the introduction of this new route is in line with our turnaround initiatives that we believe will bring positive contribution to the bottom line,” concluded Ismail.

by Maile Bucher On Jan 13, 2016

Aviation Pros.com

Aircraft crash at Nelson Airport

The ZK-MAC Sportstar Plus light aircraft that crash landed at Nelson Airport.

A student pilot was uninjured during a crash-landing of a light aircraft at Nelson Airport.

Emergency were called to the scene about 1:20pm on Wednesday.

Pacific Pilot Training chief flying instructor David Marriott said the nose wheel on the aircraft had collapsed on landing.

"It doesn't normally happen. It was a landing accident, basically."

He said the student pilot on a routine training flight was OK, but "a bit upset".

Marriott said there was "a little bit of damage" to the aircraft.

The crash caused some disruption to other flights at Nelson Airport on Wednesday afternoon.

Nelson Mail/Stuff

Photo MARION VAN DIJK

13 January 2016

Crash closes Nelson Airport

A small aircraft crashed onto the Nelson Airport runway at around 1.20 pm today.

The incident has closed the Nelson Airport, no flights will be taking off until the runway is cleared.

Chief Executive Officer, Robert Evans says the male pilot was performing a training flight before the aircraft crashed.

“It’s just a small single engine aircraft belonging to Pacific Pilot Training, there are no injuries at this stage, the guy walked away and we’re just waiting for CAA approval to remove the craft. It shouldn’t be too long before flights continue.”

Tasman District Police Sergeant Steve Savage says police are currently at the incident.

“It sounds like more of a rough landing classified as a crash, they have had some difficulties and just landed rough.”

Nelson Weekly/Nelson Live

13 January 2016

Airline Ratings rank best airlines in all classes

Air New Zealand ranked one of the best long-haul economy carriers in the world by AirlineRankings.com

A website that ranks airlines on their safety, comfort and luxury has named the best in long-haul economy, first class, business class and premium economy - with carriers from Oceania, the Middle East and Asia dominating.

Ranked alphabetically by website AirlineRatings.com, Air New Zealand was listed - as was Air France - in the Business Class and Premium Economy list.

Air New Zealand also took out a top ten spot for the best long-haul economy experience.

Top first class carriers included All Nippon Airways.

AirlineRankings.com deems first class to be the "ultimate in luxury and space."

"First class is essentially the same philosophy as business class but with more space, privacy, meal courses, the finest of champagnes, wine and liquors and you rarely have to see another passenger." the website wrote.

A picture shows the bar in the first class section on board an Airbus A380 passenger plane of Emirates Airline. Image: Reuters

Also making the list of luxury first class experience was Emirates, followed by Etihad Airways.

Air New Zealand did not make the first class rankings.

On another article, entitled: Editors favourites: Who we love to fly with and why there were glowing reports for Air New Zealand.

"This is one airline that hasn't forgotten where most of its passengers fly" one editor wrote.

"Who else serves their passengers fruit salad and scones with jam and cream for an afternoon tea snack? They are also the innovators of the popular and unique Skycouch – a section of the cabin in economy where seat groupings of three transform in to a couch giving passengers travelling together more options to lie flat or recline."

To read the full list visit AirlineRankings.com

Earlier version of this story did not clarify that the listings are in alphabetical order. 

 - Stuff

Air New Zealand makes list of 20 safest airlines for 2016

Air New Zealand has been named one of the world's safest airlines, according to AirlineRatings.com.

Air New Zealand has once again made the list of the top 20 safest airlines in the world.

The airline also featured on last year's list, which is compiled annually by AirlineRatings.com, an independent plane safety and product rating website.

Topping the list was Qantas, for the third year running, with the Australian carrier praised for its "extraordinary fatality-free record in the jet era".

The website provided safety ratings for 407 airlines, awarding them up to seven stars for safety. Of those surveyed, 148 were given the top seven-star safety ranking but almost 50 had just three stars or less, according to the Daily Telegraph.

READ MORE: * Air NZ in world's safest airlines * Airline Ratings rank best airlines in all classes

Here are the 20 airlines that made in the list in alphabetical order (bar Qantas, in the top spot):

1. Qantas 2. Air New Zealand 3. Alaska Airlines 4. All Nippon Airlines (ANA) 5. American Airlines 6. Cathay Pacific Airways 7. Emirates 8. Etihad Airways 9. EVA Air 10. Finnair 11. Hawaiian Airlines 12. Japan Airlines 13. KLM 14. Lufthansa 15. Scandinavian Airline System (SAS) 16. Singapore Airlines 17. Swiss 18. United Airlines 19. Virgin Atlantic 20. Virgin Australia

The safety ratings are based on a range of factors such as each airline's operational history, incident records and operational excellence.

AirlineRatings.com also identified the top 10 safest budget airlines, which have all passed the stringent International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA).

They are, in alphabetical order:

1. Aer Lingus 2. Flybe 3. HK Express 4. Jetblue 5. Jetstar Australia 6. Thomas Cook 7. TUI Fly 8. Virgin America 9. Volaris 10. Westjet

 - Stuff

Last updated 12:42, January 6 2016

Qantas flying high with forecast for record profit

 Qantas shareholders could be set for another windfall after the airline revealed it is on track for a record full-year profit, just two years after its biggest loss. The airline said yesterday it expects to more than double first-half pre-tax profit to between A$875 million ($931 million) and A$925 million when it announces its six-month results in February, not far off the A$975 million it made in the whole of the 2015 financial year.

Qantas, which lost a record A$2.8 billion in the previous financial year, said improved revenue, cost-cutting and continuing lower fuel prices were all playing a part in its turnaround.

The first half of the financial year is typically stronger for Qantas because it includes Christmas travel, and the second half features a drop in business travel during the holiday months of January and February.

But even allowing for the seasonal variation, analysts expect Qantas to report pre-tax profit of about A$1.6 billion for the 2016 financial year, comfortably beating its 2008 record of A$1.41 billion.

That puts it firmly in line to obliterate last year's A$557 million net profit and trump the all-time record A$970 million net profit it reported in 2008.

"We've seen improved revenue in our domestic and international operations, reduced costs across the group through the Qantas Transformation programme, and expect another record half-year result from Qantas Loyalty," chief executive Alan Joyce said.

"This strong performance is underpinned by our continued focus on delivering the best service for our customers in all of the markets we serve."

Most of the A$557 million full-year net profit announced in August was handed back to shareholders in the form of a A23c per share cash distribution, and Merrill Lynch analyst Matt Spence said he expects Qantas to announce a buyback of between A$500 million and A$800 million.

"Qantas has the cash to accommodate up to A$800 million," Mr Spence said.

"It will more be a question of how hard the company goes in actually executing the programme."

Qantas shares closed down A9c yesterday at A$3.69.

The positive forecast by Qantas includes the A$25 million hit its Jetstar service took because of cancellations after a cloud of volcanic ash twice forced the closure of Indonesia's Denpasar Airport in July.

Qantas bounced back into the black in FY15 thanks largely to a hedging programme that exploited falling fuel prices and a A$2 billion transformation programme that included 5000 job cuts.

The same factors are in play this year, and the airline is wringing extra capacity out of its fleet by reducing turnarounds for its workhorse Boeing 737s to as little as 35 minutes through new ground procedures.

The airline, which said it has also renewed its frequent-flyer participation in Woolworths' supermarket reward programme, reported yesterday that group domestic capacity for November was 0.9 per cent higher compared to the prior corresponding period.

Qantas quantified

• expected FY16 pre-tax profit: about A$1.6 billion • FY15 pre-tax profit: A$975 million • FY14 pre-tax loss: A$646 million • Record full year pre-tax profit: A$1.41 billion in 2008 • Record first half pre-tax profit: A$905 million in 2008.

- NZ Herald

5:00 AM Wednesday Dec 16, 2015

 Jetstar has cancelled Sydney to Queenstown and Queenstown to Auckland flights today. Photo / Getty Images

A Jetstar plane flying from Auckland en route to Sydney was struck by lightning today causing delays for passengers.

A Jetstar spokesperson said the flight landed as normal and there were no reports of injuries among passengers and crew.

The aircraft is out of service until full safety inspections have been completed, the spokesperson said.

The airline company has cancelled Sydney to Queenstown and Queenstown to Auckland flights today.

They will be placing passengers on services tomorrow.

The Jetstar spokesman said it wasn't uncommon for planes to be struck by lightning when flying through bad weather.

He said aircraft were designed to safely withstand lightning strikes.

It was earlier reported Sydney's desalination plant was damaged and three people were injured after a tornado tore through the city's south with winds of more than 200km/h.

Sydney Airport was closely monitoring the storm activity with passengers being advised to check flight details with their airlines, an airport spokeswoman said.

There would be some delays and diversions, Sydney Airport tweeted.

- NZ Herald

6:26 PM Wednesday Dec 16, 2015

Passengers terrified when Jetstar engine trouble caused 'shuddering', 'banging' in mid-air

Passengers on a Jetstar flight feared for their lives after the plane started shuddering, banging and sparking in mid-air.

Spark-like flashes of light, bangs and shudders forced a Jetstar plane to turn around shortly after take-off and land back at Auckland Airport.

An engine issue occurred just after take off on a flight from Auckland to Dunedin on Saturday afternoon, forcing the plane to turn around.

Passenger Tony Robinson said there were eight to nine orange flashes of light that looked like sparks, loud bangs, and the plane was shuddering.

"We were still ascending and it felt like the plane almost had a handbrake on. The whole plane was jerking and shuddering," he said.

It did this four or five times before it "had a little break" and did it again another five times.

"Some of the passengers were pushing the button calling crew to come and talk to them but they never turned up."

"It was a significant issue aboard the aircraft," he said.

Robinson said the plane plateaued, then turned around to land back at Auckland Airport. All up they were in the air for about 15 minutes.

"It crossed my mind, I thought what if the engine cuts out and we fall out of the sky. It wasn't a nice thought," he said.

Although the pilot talked to the passengers when the plane touched down, he said no announcements were made on board until the plane turned around forcing everyone to panic.

"There was fear, bewilderment. Everyone was wondering what was going on. They were all keen to get off the plane when it finally touched down."

A spokesman for Jetstar said the flight had to return to Auckland shortly after take off due to an issue with one of the engines.

"The captain elected to return to Auckland and had a normal landing. Engineers are currently examining the aircraft."

The passengers were accommodated on later services he said.

However, Robinson waited for more than 45 minutes after they touched down for some form of announcement, to no avail. He said he had to take matters into his own hands.

He had to get back to Dunedin that night and said he resorted to booking an Air New Zealand flight after he was told  at the customer service desk "It would be best if you made your own arrangements," he said.

A day later, he said he still hasn't heard from Jetstar about compensation for the flight or a refund.

"It'd be nice if they said Merry Christmas here you go, here's a free flight for the one that didn't get you there in the first place."

Returning Jetstar flights from Dunedin to Wellington were also cancelled.

 - Stuff

ERIN SPEEDY

Last updated 09:45, December 14 2015

New air services to boost tourism

New air services are expected to give New Zealand tourism a substantial lift this summer. Tourism Industry Association New Zealand chief executive Chris Roberts said this summer was likely to break tourism records.

"The industry has recorded 9 per cent growth in international visitor arrivals in the last 12 months, and the indications are that we will see that level of growth continue or even increase through the peak visitor season, especially with all the new air services coming into New Zealand."

He said Air New Zealand was starting regular services from Buenos Aires and Houston this month.

Philippines Air had started a service from Manila to Auckland. China Southern Airlines and China Airlines were starting new services into Christchurch, while China Eastern Airlines and Air China also had new services into Auckland.

"In addition, Jetstar's new regional services around New Zealand provide additional options for New Zealanders to travel around their own country.

"We are also looking forward to the first "Mondayisation" of Waitangi Day, giving New Zealanders an opportunity to enjoy another long weekend over summer, which is sure to see many people heading away from home for a few days.

"It's going to be a boomer."

Roberts said anyone planning a New Zealand holiday over the next few months should book early, as accommodation, flights and the most popular visitor activities would all be in great demand.

Northland is expecting a boost from Aucklanders and overseas tourists over the coming months.

Northland Inc general manager regional promotions, Paul Davis, said Northland guest nights were already up 6.1 per cent in the year to the the end of September compared to the same period last year.

"We've been in a growth pattern since late 2013 and we'd expect that growth to continue through the 2015-16 summer."

Auckland was Northland's largest market and the growth in Auckland's housing market was creating capital wealth.

"A lot of Aucklanders are feeling more wealthy and are more likely to spend some of that wealth on travel."

Additionally, more international visitors were coming to New Zealand for long holidays, allowing them more time to get to Northland.

Those visitors were coming from Australia, the UK, Germany, USA and Canada, said Davis.

Davis said Northland hosted many events over summer designed to give visitors things to do. Waitangi Day also always brought a lot of visitors to Northland.

The long, hot summer forecast would also help visitor numbers, he said.

Tourism Bay of Plenty assistant marketing and communications manager Abby Hadfield said events had ben planned to draw more tourists to the region.

This included Dave Dobbyn at On the Lawn in January and Trinity Roots, headlining this summer's New Year's Eve Celebrations at Mount Maunganui.

Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said new Jetstar flights between Auckland and Napier would undoubtedly add to the summer tourism scene.

Increased air capacity drove visitor numbers and she expected the new Jetstar flights would attract the same types of visitors who travelled on Air New Zealand.

The Jetstar schedule is expected to expand from three to four return services a day from February 1.

"That's an extra hundred passengers every day coming in, so it definitely will have an impact," said Dundas.

In Whanganui, the iSite information centre was getting busier every day, according to Whanganui & Partners promotion and marketing manager for Visit Whanganui, Lyn Cheyne.

More campervans were being seen in and around town, which was promising for the start of the tourist season.

Destination Wairarapa general manager David Hancock said it could also be another record-breaking year for summer tourism in the Wairarapa.

"Last summer set new records for credit card use by visitors to the region. Already we have reports from tourism operators talking about excellent forward bookings into February," he said.

- NZME.

11:28 AM Friday Dec 11, 2015

Kim Fulton

Kim Fulton is a NZME. News Service regional reporter

Harry Denton breaks world record for longest wheelie

https://assets.stuff.co.nz/video/production/1449636668077-harry%20record%20manual.mp4 A small crowd of keyed-up family members and friends were at Nelson Airport on Wednesday afternoon to see Harry Denton try to make history.  He didn't disappoint.

The Nelson 16-year-old didn't just beat the world record for the longest "manual", he obliterated it.

A "manual" is a bicycle stunt in which the rider balances on his back wheel without pedalling.  The record, set in 2011 by American Zachary Hutelin, was 209.2 metres. It's now 334m.

MARTIN DE RUYTER/Fairfax NZ

Harry Denton of Nelson set a new "manual" record of 334 metres using a taxiway at Nelson Airport.

Denton easily beat the record on his first attempt, achieving a measured 277m. His second go was even more impressive - so good, in fact, that he ran out of straight airport taxiway and finished on a curve.

READ MORE: Teenaged rider quietly confident of record

Aided by a stiff tail wind - permitted by Guinness World Records - the Nelson College student used his specially adapted jump bike to reach around 50kmh before lifting his front wheel and coasting the record distance.

The training paid off for 16-year-old Harry Denton who has broken the world record for the longest wheelie.

Surveyor Andrew Stanger had previously measured the course and was on hand to confirm the distances Denton covered, his announcements greeted with whoops, cheers and applause by the crowd.

Among those looking on were Denton's father Steve and mother Althea Denton, who both said beforehand they believed their son would make it.

His mother said Harry had "taken his training wheels off at about three".

"He's got to have wheels under him," she said, correctly predicting that her boy would "smash" the record.

His father was less direct but said some trial runs on Akersten St at Port Nelson combined with simple mathematics had shown that if Harry reached 45-46kmh in the run-up to the point where he lifted the front wheel, "he'll get to the 210 metres".

Harry said beforehand that he was quietly confident, but his support crew and family noticed how nervous he was as he headed for the start line.

No need. Filmed for YouTube by Nelson company Sherlock Vision's drone and with GoPro action cameras fixed to his bike, he made it look easy.

Afterwards, an elated Harry said he was "real happy" with his performance and thankful for all the volunteer support and sponsorship he'd received.

He said he'd spent the whole morning "pacing around home" with how it would work out going through his mind. He had been mainly concerned that the wind would be from the wrong direction.

"But it's worked out perfectly - a really consistent strong wind pushed me through."

He was hoping that the online coverage would bring him some attention and sponsorship for a career in biking, he said.

"That's always been my dream since I was a kid."

Several months had gone into the planning and organising of the record attempt, including getting the nod from Guinness World Records to go ahead.

Use of the airport's flat, smooth and straight northern taxiway was a key element and had to be coordinated with aircraft movements.  Harry said he was particularly grateful to the airport company for working with him.

Airport operations manager James Middlewick said the company had been impressed by Harry's energy and drive, and wanted to help him out.

"There was a lot of good work from the airport fire service and the air traffic controllers as well."

 - Stuff.co.nz

BILL MOORE

Last updated 08:30, December 10 2015

A quick stint in Auckland testing Jetstar's new Waiheke destination

It seems Jeremy Clarkson and I have a difference of opinion: he thinks Waiheke isn't worth the trip, I do.

I was lucky enough to head out to the island last week, a bit of a change of scenery from the usual rostered day off - but it's not every day we get a new airline flying to Auckland.

READ MORE: Clarkson tells tourists to skip Waiheke

 On Tuesday last week it wasn't hard to miss something going on at Nelson Airport. There were orange balloons, orange bags, mini orange jetplane lollies, orange t-shirts, orange signs, cake with orange icing...Jetstar had arrived.

Crowds of people were gathered in the lone terminal, the mayor was there, the archdeacon was, TV3 was there - I got my 10 seconds of television fame - it was the place to be.

On Tuesday last week it wasn't hard to miss something going on at Nelson Airport. There were orange balloons, orange bags, mini orange jetplane lollies, orange t-shirts, orange signs, cake with orange icing...Jetstar had arrived.

Crowds of people were gathered in the lone terminal, the mayor was there, the archdeacon was, TV3 was there - I got my 10 seconds of television fame - it was the place to be.

People were even singing Edelweiss as we lined up to board the plane - I'm still questioning the relevance of that one - and off we went, albeit slightly delayed by the weather.

The flight was full, a Q300 of around 50 people, and it was jovial. I guess people had lucked out on the $9 starter fares.

The slightly nervous flight attendant got us into New Zealand's very own sky-scrapered, bustling, over-price-propertied metropolis, with a muffin and a drink for those who had preordered.

An hour of traffic and $90 later I got to the hotel jumped on the bed and switched on the TV - but even Road Cops couldn't keep me from seeing a Christmas coloured Sky Tower.

Walking up Queen St and around the viaduct is always a highlight of Auckland. So many people and so much life in the evenings.

The next day I was out to Waiheke.

The sky was grey, the wind was up, and I braved sitting on the outside top of the ferry, alone, to watch the city get smaller and smaller. Slightly salty and very windswept I wandered around Waiheke, worked up a sticky sheen in the warmth and got lunch.

Even on an overcast Wednesday afternoon for just a couple of hours, Waiheke Island feels like a holiday. It's like a weekend in Golden Bay, but without half a dozen fresh fruit frozen yoghurts on the way. The sea, the tie-dye prints, the slow pace and chatty tourists.

And then with a look at my watch it was back to Auckland, the airport - this time in an Uber - and home to the prettiest landing the country has to offer (in my opinion).

With the number of flights Jetstar and other new airlines will be seeing into Nelson, I'm sure that opinion will start to become more widely shared.

The writer travelled courtesy of Jetstar.

 - Stuff

ANNA BRADLEY-SMITH

Last updated 13:45, December 9 2015

Jetstar pilot break appeal rejected by Supreme Court

Jetstar pilots will seek tens of thousands of dollars in compensation from the budget airline for years of missed breaks. Jetstar pilot Richard Greenslade won a Employment Court decision against Jetstar in 2014 over entitlement of meal and rest breaks, but the Qantas subsidiary appealed the ruling.

The Court of Appeal ruled in September that Jetstar had failed to provide its pilots with mandatory rest and meal breaks as required under the Employment Relations Act (ERA).

READ MORE: Pilots ask Jetstar for lunch break compensation

After reviewing the Court of Appeal's decision Jetstar sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court on Friday declined leave to appeal and ordered Jetstar to pay $2500 reparation to Greenslade.

The New Zealand Airline Pilots Association (NZALPA) acting president Tim Robinson said Jetstar pilots would ask the budget airline for compensation following years of missed breaks.

He would not disclose how much compensation was being sought but it would be "tens of thousands" of dollars, he said.

NZALPA represented 79 Jetstar pilots from the airline's jet aircraft division, he said.

If a compensation agreement was not reached Jetstar pilots could take the airline to the Employment Court, he said.

"Hopefully they'll see the light and talk seriously about compensation," Robinson said.

Jetstar spokesman Phil Boeyen said it was in the process of reviewing the judgement and considering the impact of the decision.

 - Stuff

JOHN ANTHONY

Last updated 13:32, December 7 2015

Airport managers warn against overreaction to airport security

Radio Live