Air New Zealand rolling out 14 new domestic Koru lounges

Air New Zealand will unveil 14 new domestic Koru lounges and six new international lounges as part of a $100 million spend-up over the next four years. Since December the airline has opened new regional and international lounges at Auckland International Airport as well as a new international lounge at Sydney Airport.

A new international lounge is also under construction at Brisbane Airport and designs for new regional lounges are being developed for Palmerston North, Hamilton, Invercargill and Wellington.

The Wellington regional lounge is aimed at passengers travelling to regional destinations, but any passenger entitled to lounge access will be able to use the lounge when travelling domestically.

Air New Zealand lounges at Queenstown and Fiji's Nadi International Airport are also scheduled to be upgraded in 2016.

Air New Zealand spokeswoman Kelly Kilgour said over the course of 2017 and 2018 a further nine domestic and four international airports would be upgraded.

At the opening of the airline's sleek new Auckland international lounge last month, Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon said the timing of lounge upgrades was largely dependent on where airports were at with their expansion plans.

"You have to get the airport company to have the right building and the right construction in place to support a new lounge," Luxon said.

"Some of the airports in the regions are in expansion at the moment and we're just trying to make sure we align with their expansion plans."

Air New Zealand lounges were open to Koru members and business class passengers as well as Gold and Elite Airpoints members.

Tourism Industry Association chief executive Chris Roberts said Air New Zealand was responding to visitor expectations.

"We know that in general travellers have rising expectations of the level of service that's going to be provided to them."

"Travellers are getting more sophisticated and their expectations are growing all the time."

Air New Zealand had a popular and growing Koru membership, Roberts said.

The airline would not disclose how many customers had access to lounges or how many Koru members it had.

In June Invercargill Airport opened the first stage of its new $13m terminal building, which featured a temporary Koru lounge while stage two of the development was being completed.

Invercargill Airport general manager Chloe Surridge said the new lounge would be 120 square metres - about 50 per cent bigger than the original lounge.

The lounge would be a vast improvement on the previous facility, she said.

"We've got a lot of business travellers coming in and out of the airport so it's important that we've got a place where people can spend a couple of hours if they need to work."

Most regional airports were built in the 1960s or earlier and were looking at upgrading their facilities, she said.

 - Stuff

JOHN ANTHONY

Last updated 14:11, October 13 2015

Aircraft spruce up taking place in Nelson

Fliers will no longer feel like they are stepping back in time when boarding an Air New Zealand Q300 aircraft after the fleet received a $1 million interior spruce up.

The fomer light blue interior seating has been replaced with sleeker inky-hued seats with leather paneling. New carpet strips have also modernised the interior of the aircraft.

"The [Q300] fleet are about 10 years old, that's about half way through their life so it was the perfect time for a cabin refresh," said Air Nelson head Kelvin Duff.

"It's mirroring the look of all Air New Zealand aircraft, when you [board], the overall look and feel will be the same."

The interior installations are taking place in Nelson, with the airline's 23 Q300 aircrafts being re-fit in the Air New Zealand aircraft maintenance facility at Nelson Airport over the next three months.

Duff said it was great for Nelson to have the installations take place in the region. Each aircraft installation will take about 100 hours of labour to be completed during the night between flights to airports across New Zealand.

The maintenance facility, introduced earlier this year, created around 50 engineering jobs for Nelson.

"Whenever we get extra work here it's great, [the installation process in Nelson] reflects the decision to create the [maintenance facility]," said Duff.

About two Q300 aircraft fit-outs will be completed each week, with the entire fleet set to be finished by January.

"Over the next month customers will start to experience the new [interiors]," said Duff.

He hoped customers would find their flight experience more comfortable with additional contoured paneling on seats.

- Stuff JESS PULLAR

Last updated 11:27, October 15 2015

United Airlines flying back to NZ

American airline United is returning to New Zealand with flights between Auckland and San Francisco as it deepens its partnership with Air New Zealand. From next July, United will use Dreamliners to fly as often as daily across the Pacific in a deal between the Star Alliance partners that will boost capacity on the route and open the way for cheaper fares.

The deal could also deter American Airlines - from the rival Oneworld alliance and a potential threat to Air New Zealand - from entering the transpacific market.

Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon said his airline would work with United to promote each other's services on the San Francisco route. The airlines have anti-trust immunity to work closely with each other.

"Some provisions will move it forward to a structure around revenue-sharing and expand it geographically if we want to," Luxon said.

Air New Zealand is building a range of partnerships including with Virgin Australia, which it part owns, Japan's ANA, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Air China and now deepening the 20-year alliance it has with United.

United Airlines is the world's biggest carrier by the number of cities served with 226 US cities and 136 international destinations on its network. It has around 84,000 staff.

"They are a massive organisation and have massive sales and distribution, which is what we are wanting to access," Luxon said.

United had hubs in San Francisco and Houston, where Air New Zealand would start flying to later this year.

"They've been very supportive of us coming in to Houston and getting them coming out of San Francisco is great because it gives us more connectivity through their network into domestic America."

Luxon said there was still strong and growing demand for flights to and from the United States.

"Our model of building market demand is working exceptionally well and we are finding new richer seams of gold and customers to tap into.

"This is a big way for us to be able to do this."

United will begin operating a three times weekly 787-8 service between San Francisco and Auckland from July, moving to daily services with a larger 787-9 aircraft from November 2016.

United pulled out of flying to New Zealand in 2003 after it was forced into what was then the airline industry's biggest bankruptcy.

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

From December 15 the airline will also commence direct services from Auckland to Houston five times per week.

- NZ Herald 5:00 AM Friday Oct 9, 2015

Grant Bradley

Aviation, tourism and energy writer for the Business Herald

Jetstar launches low fares to Rarotonga

"The Cook Islands is a favourite destination for many New Zealanders and we’re confident our low fares to Rarotonga will be warmly welcomed by holidaymakers throughout the country".

Jetstar will bring its low fares to the Cook Islands for the first time with the airline to commence year-round services between Auckland and Rarotonga from 22 March 2016*.

Jetstar Head of New Zealand Grant Kerr said the low fares airline’s first service connecting New Zealand and the Cook Islands from Australia would provide more choice and competition on the route.

“We’re very excited to announce our first direct service from New Zealand to the beautiful South Pacific,” Mr Kerr said.

“The Cook Islands is a favourite destination for many New Zealanders and we’re confident our low fares to Rarotonga will be warmly welcomed by holidaymakers throughout the country.”

All return flights originate from Sydney or Melbourne and Jetstar will offer Australian travellers connecting fares to Rarotonga via Auckland. This will enable the Cook Islands to tap into the two biggest Australian tourism markets to grow visitation.

Mr Kerr said Jetstar will be the first new airline in more than 10 years to connect Auckland and Rarotonga, offering three return services a week on a year-round basis.

“Whenever Jetstar enters a market our low fares help to grow that market,” Mr Kerr said.

“We expect our new flights to Rarotonga will significantly lift passenger numbers from both New Zealand and Australia, delivering substantial benefits to Cook Islands tourism.”

Cook Islands Tourism General Manager Graeme West said the announcement was a very positive development for the island nation.

“Tourism contributes 60 percent of GDP in the Cook Islands so the new services will provide a major boost to the country’s economy,” Mr West said.

“Rarotonga welcomes more than 82,000 visitors from New Zealand each year and the additional Jetstar capacity from March 2016 will allow the market to grow even more.

"We’re delighted that Jetstar has made this commitment to our nation and we look forward to working closely with them to ensure it’s a long standing relationship.”

Jetstar will add around 25,000 new return seats a year to the Auckland-Rarotonga route*, representing capacity growth of more than 15 percent to the Cook Islands from New Zealand.

Services begin 22 March 2016, ahead of next year’s Easter break and the first school holidays. Return services will operate three times a week departing Auckland on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.

In addition to the connecting flights from Sydney and Melbourne, Jetstar will offer connections from Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth and Palmerston North.

LAUNCH SALE INFORMATION

The following special launch fares will be on sale for 12 hours from 11.30am (NZDT) today for travel next year to Rarotonga from 2-12 April, 7 May-5-July, and 30 July-30 August: $129^ from Auckland, $169^ from Wellington, Christchurch, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth and Palmerston North, and $199^ from Queenstown. Regular one-way lead-in fares start from $219^ Auckland-Rarotonga.

* Flights subject to government and regulatory approval. Flights originate in Australia.

^ Checked baggage not included. Sale fares not available on all flights or days and conditions apply. Prices are based on payment by direct deposit/POLi, or voucher for bookings through jetstar.com. For all other bookings, a Booking and Service Fee of $8.50 per passenger per international flight applies.

 Jetstar

Auckland,

07 October 2015

http://newsroom.jetstar.com/jetstar-launches-low-fares-to-rarotonga/

Air NZ sets bar high with new sustainability projects

Air New Zealand has launched a swathe of sustainability projects and goals as part of a new framework it says is aimed at being both economic and environmental. Chief executive Christopher Luxon unveiled the company's plans at a breakfast event in Auckland yesterday attended by several hundred business leaders and managers.

"The reality is people want jet travel," Luxon said. "There's no doubt about global aviation being very good for the world, it has huge economic and social benefits - but there's no hiding from it, it has an environmental negative and that's because the industry globally contributes about 2 to 4 per cent to global or greenhouse gas emissions which is significant.

"The challenge is a very real one and what we've signed up for are some pretty stretching targets."

Luxon said the company's goal was to supercharge New Zealand's success socially, environmentally and economically.

The success of the company was linked to that of the country, he said.

"Air New Zealand needs a strong and prosperous New Zealand and in turn, New Zealand needs a successful and thriving national airline."

The sustainability report is a result of research from the company's staff and customers focused on what they wanted to see from the airline.

Under the new plan, Air New Zealand will implement a supplier code of conduct to ensure its suppliers are committed to similar social and environmental goals, as well as using ethically sourced materials.

The carrier is also aiming to improve fuel efficiencies by 1.5 per cent between 2009 and 2020 as well as transitioning its road vehicle fleet to be 100 per cent electric, starting in the next few months.

"We want carbon neutral growth which is a really big challenge for us to deal with as a business," Luxon said.

"And then from 2050 we're talking about a reduction of 50 per cent in net emissions which is a big target.

"It's big because in the next five years this company will grow in excess of 30 per cent and our emissions we expect will grow by about 19 per cent."

Air New Zealand announced the extension of its partnerships with both the Department of Conservation, resulting in a further investment of $1 million annually, and with Antarctica New Zealand and the New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute.

"Key themes to emerge from the research were around enabling knowledge and inspiration as well as helping young Kiwis and emerging businesses to succeed. In the coming year we'll be launching several significant initiatives that support these themes," said Luxon.

The company's focus on sustainability and the environment was discussed with a panel including Luxon, Sir Jonathon Porritt, co-founder and director of Forum for the Future in the UK, and Dame Anne Salmond, New Zealand anthropologist, writer and distinguished professor of Maori Studies at the University of Auckland.

The goals

• Supplier code of conduct to ensure a commitment to similar social and environmental goals, as well as using ethically sourced materials.

• Improve fuel efficiencies by 1.5 per cent between 2009 and 2020.

• Transitioning the road vehicle fleet to be 100% electric.

• Long term goal for the company to be carbon neutral.

- NZ Herald

5:00 AM Thursday Sep 17, 2015

Current as of 01/10/15 12:19PM NZST

• Email Holly
• @HollyRoseRyan

Holly Ryan

Retail, Innovation and Manufacturing reporter for the NZ Herald

Airfare wars: No sign of slowing down

A price war being waged between New Zealand's two main airlines has resulted in a "a low fares bonanza" that appears set to continue into next year. Jetstar and Air New Zealand have been locking heads over domestic fares since the low-cost airline added Nelson, Napier, New Plymouth and Palmerston North to its domestic network.

It sold 16,000 flights priced at $9 during the launch on August 31.

Air NZ responded immediately by matching the $9 fares on its Grabaseat website.

The new competition between the airlines - previously restricted to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown - resulted in air fares dropping across the country.

READ MORE: Price slashes between Air New Zealand, Jetstar enter second week

And a month on, the cheap deals show no sign of abating.

Price checks on both airlines' websites show domestic one-way flights starting from between $35 and $89.

Qantas-owned Jetstar is offering the cheapest deals from Auckland to New Plymouth and Auckland to Palmerston North for just $35.

Air NZ has matched its budget competitor on $49 Auckland to Wellington flights.

A Jetstar spokesman said Kiwi domestic travellers were enjoying "a low fares bonanza" thanks its regional expansion.

"Services are continuing to sell well, particularly prior to Christmas," he said.

In the last financial year, more than 70 per cent Jetstar's domestic customers in New Zealand paid under $100 for their flight.

"We're very focused on playing our own game and growing the markets that we serve, helping more people to fly more often for less," the spokesman added.

Air NZ said investment in 30 jet and turboprop aircraft over the past five years had led to an increase in the number of regional seats it offers from some 10.4 million to about 11.6 million.

"This will grow further in [2016 financial year] as we deliver more capacity growth in domestic New Zealand," a spokeswoman said.

"This means more cheap seats than ever before for Kiwis.

"We have delivered reduced lead in fares to every one of the 22 domestic ports we operate to over the past six months or so and it is great to see customers snapping up our cheap seats."

Air NZ said it expected to deliver more than two million fares under $100 on its domestic network overall in the 2016 financial year.

Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon said last month he felt "really comfortable" with the airline's ability compete.

In June, Jetstar announced it would expand into the regions and, after lobbying from regional mayors, airports and tourism promoters, the airline announced the winners on August 31.

Economic potential and the ability to support two airlines were the main criteria for choosing the destinations, to be served by five 50-seater Bombardier Q300s, with the first flights planned for this year.

Nelson-Auckland and Napier-Auckland flights would start the beginning of December while flights between New Plymouth-Auckland, Palmerston North-Auckland and Nelson-Wellington flights would follow early next year.

Cheapest one-way flight prices today

• Auckland - Napier: Jetstar: $39 Air NZ: $49 • Auckland - Nelson: Jetstar: $45 Air NZ: $59 • Auckland - New Plymouth: Jetstar: $35 Air NZ: $59 • Auckland - Palmerston North: Jetstar: $35 Air NZ: $69 • Auckland - Wellington: Jetstar: $49 Air NZ: $49 • Auckland - Christchurch: Jetstar: $45 Air NZ: $59 • Auckland - Queenstown: Jetstar: $49 Air NZ: $89

- NZME.

• Email Kurt
• @KurtBayerNZME

Kurt Bayer

Kurt Bayer is an NZME. News Service reporter 6:06 PM Wednesday Sep 30, 2015

Operators say drone 'hysteria' could derail benefits

Drone operators say a culture of "hysteria" around unmanned aerial vehicles threatens to ruin New Zealand's chances of benefiting from the technology.

Friday's reported near-miss between a remotely-piloted aircraft system (RPAS) and an Air New Zealand plane has sparked stern statements from the airline and from the Transport Minister.

But Digiflicks video producer Simon Baker, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operator, says panic threatens to derail innovation in the industry.

"I understand the safety concerns," Mr Baker said.

"But the other concern is the hysteria around the word 'drone'. There are fixed-wings that are known as drones as well, not just multi-rotors like I use, and a lot of other people are using."

Mr Baker, of Christchurch, said UAVs offered benefits to law enforcement, surveying, forestry, and other industries.

He said most UAV operators would be very upset if a person had flown a drone so near a commercial aircraft.

"If that's what it transpires to be, then please punish that person. That's what we want - as an industry, we are all about safety as well."

Paihia entrepreneur Jeremy Vaughan said the law made insufficient distinction between recreational and commercial users and a "carte blanche" approach was stifling innovation.

Mr Vaughan said he wanted to develop a drone with heavy-lifting applications for agriculture.

He said New Zealand was falling "way behind the times" and risked missing out on advances in UAV science and technology.

Mr Vaughan said he was working to develop drones capable of carrying chainsaws and lifting weights above 55kg.

He said people should register as drone users, and understand the law, but certified commercial users should have different restrictions from recreational users.Recreational UAV flyer Max Whitehead said primary industries including forestry and farming would benefit from drone technology.

He said farmers could save time and money using UAVs to check on stock, instead of burning fuel on farm vehicles to cover large distances.

Mr Whitehead said some regulations were necessary, but the regulatory environment was already too restrictive for recreational users. He said an "over-zealous" approach was stifling technological development here.

Mr Whitehead, of Auckland's North Shore, said there were some people "looking for any opportunity to be concerned about drones".

Some operators have questioning claims the object spotted 6000ft above Canterbury was a drone.

Mr Baker said few UAVs in New Zealand could reach such a high altitude.

"Not many off the shelf will do that."

The operator of the object seen above Kaiapoi at 5.45pm on Friday has still not come forward.

Mr Baker said battery limitations made it difficult for many UAVs to fly so high.

He said fixed-wing UAVs could easily reach that height but few multi-rotor models could.

"To get that height if it was a UAV, a multi-rotor UAV, it takes a fair bit of power, a long-range antenna..."

In a statement on Saturday, Air New Zealand slammed what it called an "emerging trend of a reckless use of drones that puts the safety of customers and staff at risk".

Pilots' union NZALPA called for the compulsory installation of "see-and-avoid technology" on drones, identity markings on drones and education for all drone users.But the pilots' association also criticised the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for not being "proactive" about educating drone users.

The CAA was investigating the incident, which it called a "near-miss".

"While RPAS technology is advancing quickly and offers some very significant benefits to a range of industries it can pose a threat to conventional aviation activities and this must be carefully managed," the authority added.

The authority said rules varied for RPAS systems above and below 25Kg in weight.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges said he was taking the Kaiapoi incident "very seriously".

He said regulations effective since August 1 meant any RPAS operator must get CAA approval to fly at night, beyond line of sight, or above 400ft.

Apart from safety concerns, drones have in some cases raised fears over privacy.

In July, Simon Done was sentenced to 80 hours' community work and ordered to pay reparations after stomping on Aaron Wagstaff's drone in Waikanae, north of Wellington.

In August, the Privacy Commissioner shot down a complaint from a Wellington resident who complained about a Sky TV drone flying during a cricket test at the Basin reserve.

The same month, new rules required drone users to have consent of people and property owners before flying over them.

Today, a Privacy Commissioner spokesman said no further complaints about drones had been received.

- NZME.

8:41 PM Monday Sep 28, 2015

John Weekes John Weekes is an NZME News Service reporter based in Wellington.

- Additional reporting: Jimmy Ellingham

New airport terminal confirmed for Nelson Airport

Rob - small file

Nelson Airport has confirmed it will build a new airport terminal on its existing site. The Board of Nelson Airport announced on Monday it would build a new terminal, rather than remediate the existing building, to meet the future needs of the region.

Nelson Airport chief executive Rob Evans said the decision to rebuild rather than remediate was the most feasible option in terms costs, project time and inconvenience for airport users.

He said a rebuild was needed to keep up with an "extraordinary" growth in passengers at the terminal over the next two years. Evans estimated by the end of 2017 there would be more than 1 million passengers with over 300 flights per week at the airport.

"That is extraordinary for a regional destination," he said.

The current building is about 40 years old.

The Airport made the decision to rebuild after appointing Wellington-based firms Studio Pacific Architects and Impact Project Management to conduct a feasibility study. The firms began assessments of the airport back in April with input from structural and services engineers and quantity surveyors.

"The review was very comprehensive and we received compelling reasons why a new build is the best way to provide an airport of the future that will meet our region's growth aspirations," said Evans.

Evans said the Airport would provide further details about project timing, total costs and designs in early 2016.

Air New Zealand Group general manager airports John Whittaker said the airline welcomed the announcement.

"We continue to significantly grow capacity on our Nelson services and look forward to working closely with the Nelson Airport Company on the designs and requirements for the future terminal," he said.

The announcement comes as additional airlines take to Nelson skies this year, including Jetstar, which will fly to Wellington and Auckland from December. Originair has also commenced their service to Palmerston North last month and Kiwi Regional Airlines will start flying direct from Nelson to Dunedin, Hamilton and Queenstown at the end of October.

Nelson Airport is currently working with Nelson Pine Industries ahead of the rebuild on potential use of their products. It is also working with Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council as a way to keep the community up to date with the developments.

 - Stuff

Air New Zealand's new $14 million Auckland international lounge

The lounge features a cocktail bar, a two storey childrens' play room, an outdoor terrace with a growing wall, seven showers, a media room and large windows offering plenty of natural light and sweeping views of the airport and runway - a feature lacking in the old lounge. Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon said as the airline opened new routes to Singapore, Beijing, Buenos Aires and Houston it was attracting a lot more higher value travellers.

"With a growing network and customer base, the number of high value customers using our lounge has grown and one of the most common pieces of feedback we receive on our Auckland International Lounge is around space," Luxon said

Air New Zealand has posted a record profit for the past two years and the airline was investing in the customer experience to ensure future competitiveness, he said.

"This is a big investment in the customer proposition."

Last year Air New Zealand grew about 7 per cent and over the next 12 months it would grow about 11 per cent, Luxon said.

"We're in high growth mode at at the moment."

The opening of the new lounge was part of a wider $100 million investment Air New Zealand was pumping into its lounge network over four years.

Air New Zealand had already upgraded its international lounges in Los Angeles and Sydney, and its regional lounge at Auckland Airport.

"We're going to work our way through the whole network, that's our intention."

Air New Zealand lounges in Queenstown, Brisbane and other regional and domestic airports including Invercargill were scheduled to undergo refurbishment.

The new Auckland Airport international lounge was similar in look and feel to Air New Zealand's lounge in Sydney Airport, which opened in May, featuring a full cocktail bar, resident chef and, on occasion, fresh oysters.

READ MORE: Cocktails and oysters in Air New Zealand's new Sydney Airport lounge

The airline would also be improving its premium check at Auckland Airport and introducing new bag drop off technology, Luxon said.

The Auckland International Lounge is located on level one of the international terminal and will be open to eligible customers from Tuesday.

One of the 24 different styles of seating on offer in the lounge. Photo: BEVAN READ/STUFF.CO.NZ

New features include:

- 24 different styles of seating.

- A new food theatre with cuisine cooked by the lounge's resident chef as well as a buffet

- A bar offering barista-made coffee, premium New Zealand wines and signature cocktails.

- A kids' area modelled on a Kiwi tree house with books, interactive toys and children's programmes.

- A business zone with charging, Wi-Fi and printing facilities.

- More than 300 powerpoints and more than 300 USB outlets.

What do you think of the new lounge? Let us know in the comments.

 - Stuff

JOHN ANTHONY

Last updated 14:25, September 25 2015

Air New Zealand opens flagship lounge in Auckland

Air New Zealand has unveiled its new flagship international lounge at Auckland International Airport. The new design features tailored seating zones that aim to meet the changing needs of travellers.

The new fit-out is housed in a different area than the current lounge, and at more than 2000 square metres can seat more than 375 travellers.

Designed with award-winning global architectural firm Gensler, which also partnered with Air New Zealand on the new Sydney International Lounge and the Star Alliance International Lounge in Los Angeles Airport, it overlooks the runway and features a covered outdoor terrace and fireplace offering a year-round outdoor area with views of the runway.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon said the sleek new lounge has been designed with feedback from customers in mind.

"With a growing network and customer base, the number of high value customers using our lounge has grown and one of the most common pieces of feedback we receive on our Auckland International Lounge is around space.

"This new lounge is significantly larger than the previous space and can accommodate around 40 percent more customers. Also recognising that our customers travel for different reasons and have different needs, we've created a mix of separate zones to offer the upmost comfort and convenience for those looking to relax, refresh or get some work done before they fly," Luxon said.

New features include:

- 24 different styles of seating allowing customers to create the lounge experience that works best for them.

- A new food theatre with cuisine cooked to order at meal times by the lounge's resident chef as well as a buffet offering which customers can help themselves to at any time.

- A central bar area offering barista-made coffee that customers can pre-order directly from the Air New Zealand mobile app as well as premium New Zealand wines and signature cocktails.

- A separate kids' area modelled on a Kiwi tree house with books, interactive toys and the latest children's programmes to keep little ones entertained.

- A business zone with a range of seating and tables with electronic charging, Wi-Fi and printing facilities.

- Enhanced connectivity with more than 300 power points and more than 300 USB outlets.

- A New Zealand-centric design featuring large scale digital screens with looping time lapse imagery of New Zealand scenery and a "digital ceiling" over the bar area to reflecting the changing New Zealand sky.

The lounge refit is part of a $40m investment Air New Zealand is pumping into upgrading its lounges in Sydney, Auckland International Airport, Queenstown, Brisbane and regional airports. The new Air New Zealand lounge in Sydney Airport, which opened in May, features a full cocktail bar, resident chef and, on occasion, fresh oysters.

Gensler Principal Architect David Loyola said, "The challenge was to design a lounge that reflected the Air New Zealand brand, responded to the unique sense of place, and elevated the customer experience. We are optimistic we have achieved these goals and it's very exciting to see the project completed."

The Auckland International Lounge is located on level one of the international terminal and will be available to eligible customers from 29 September.

 - Stuff

Last updated 11:35, September 25 2015

JOHN ANTHONY

Replacement terminal approved for Nelson Airport in New Zealand

The findings of an independent study recommending the replacement of the existing terminal and control tower at Nelson Airport in New Zealand have been accepted by the airport’s board. The study included input from quantity surveyors, structural and service engineers, and project consultants Impact Project Management and Studio Pacific Architecture. The current airport terminal is more than 40 years old and its expansion will help to deal with predicted future growth at the airport.

Robert Evans, chief executive for Nelson Airport, said, “We asked for a comparison of the costs, project time and inconvenience for airport users, of remediating the current facilities or undertaking a total rebuild.

“The review was very comprehensive and we received compelling reasons why a new build is the best way to provide an airport of the future that will meet our region’s growth aspirations.

“Our consultants estimate that a rebuild will be quicker than remediation, and it will also be less intrusive on operations and less expensive. It will provide much greater flexibility in terms of how we are able to use the space available, rather than trying to work around the constraints of the existing building.

“By the end of 2017 we are forecasting more than one million passengers with over 300 flights per week. That is extraordinary for a regional destination.”

September 8, 2015

Passenger Terminal Today

Daniel Symonds

Assistant Editor

CEO Q&A: Christopher Luxon

You have an interest and passion for causes that go beyond business. Why are you so interested and where does it leave you long term? The thing for me is recognising that, as a business leader, you have a responsibility to lead a company for the future, leaving it in a better place in five, 10, 15, or 20 years' time. My job is to make sure that commercials are strong, the customer experience is great, the culture of the organisation is constantly improving. But actually, companies should be used for a bigger mission for the society that it's a part of.

I think Air NZ, through the unique attachment we have with the people of New Zealand, they want us to think about success in more than a one-dimensional way.

A lot of my thinking has been shaped by the fact that I've been overseas ... working at Unilever. I got to see what really well-run world-class corporates look like. What you find is that the companies doing well are also doing good. They've got their head around the space of sustainability and the best business leaders in the world should be thinking about these issues, not just the dollars and cents. They need to be much more strategic about these sort of things. That's where my motivations are coming from.

You've also announced a goal to supercharge New Zealand's success. That's a very challenging goal for a chief executive. Who will judge your success?

Everyone will end up judging it because they've all got a stake in it. People intuitively make a judgment as to whether Air New Zealand's success has been good for New Zealand.

We're being very clear with our targets. We'll publish a sustainability report every year. We'll be very clear where we are, and aren't, making progress. That's important because customers are very interested in the companies behind the brand and what their values are like, how they're running it.

Secondly, there's been a number of cases where we've made pitches for corporate travel arrangements and those partners we're selling to, big corporates, want to know what our sustainability practices are like before they take us on as a vendor.

And thirdly, even investors - they've got big pools of capital that you need to have on board - you need to demonstrate that you have good sustainability practices.

Frankly their view is that, if you're thinking about long-run supply chains and you're thinking about waste minimisation, that is the good-for-business stuff that makes sense from an investment point of view.

Sustainability has been a business buzzword for years. Why have you launched this initiative at this time?

I think in New Zealand you do feel sometimes that being a business person is a bad thing. But the reality of it is that business lifts billions of people out of poverty in the developing world and frankly, even in a place like New Zealand, business has driven growth and provided employment and supported our social system.

So we do have a role to play and we want to have liberties to run our businesses as we see fit. But we also need to have a responsibility to strengthen civil society.

We can't have strong business without a strong society, and we can't have a strong society without strong business. The two are linked and clearly we have a role to play in this conversation alongside Government and communities.

There are things we can do that are unique. We have more natural advantages over Government and communities by having less bureaucracy and arguably more global reach, global scale. That means we can make some things happen.

You had 450 business leaders at your launch breakfast. What do you expect from them?

There's a new generation of leaders coming through that are thinking of these issues beyond dollars and cents and making money. I can look at Fraser Whineray at Mighty River Power who is focused on electric vehicles, look at Alistair Davis at Toyota and their fleet of hybrid cars, even Mike Bennetts and Z Energy's 'Good in the Hood' campaign.

What I hope is that we start to collaborate on the challenges and work together in quite different ways than we have before. Air NZ needs to work with its own competitors to think about how to tackle things like biofuels and bring together the economic value of tourism. If people took one or two thoughts away from our session they can apply to their own businesses, then fantastic.

How will all this sustainability focus resonate with Air New Zealand's shareholders?

We announced a record result this year, which was a great outcome for our shareholders. At the same time I announced that we're doing a performance bonus for our unionised staff. And I could have arguably had shareholders say, 'Well Chris that was $12 million you didn't need to spend'. But I haven't had that at all. I've had the reverse - the shareholders have said that was a smart thing to do.

They understand it's just not about maximising dollars and cents relentlessly. It is constantly a balancing act and investors get that and understand we're being strategic about it.

The sustainability stuff is really good business. With the volatility of supply chains, when you know you've got a supply that is sustainable, is compelling, enduring, reliable, that's a really good business continuity practice.

Summing up, what was they key takeout you want to get across?

The key thing is that sustainability is not just about environmentalism. It's a bigger concept about how do we drive good impacts economically, socially and environmentally.

No one is going to deliver this objective or these challenges unless we work together in different ways. Business has a role to play.

Fran O'Sullivan

A columnist for the NZ Herald

Thursday, 17 September 2015

Kiwi Regional Airlines opens gateways to Dunedin, Queenstown

The landing strip at Nelson Airport will barely have time to cool down as Kiwi Regional Airlines gears up for its first take-off at the end of October. Hot off the heels of Originair's first flights from Nelson and with Jetstar's impending arrival to the region in December, Kiwi Regional Airlines (KRA) is hoping it can provide to a different market.

The new airline will fly direct routes from Nelson to Hamilton and Dunedin four days a week. It will also fly a direct route from Nelson to Queenstown over the winter season. These routes are not currently flown directly by any airline in Nelson.

Chief executive Ewan Wilson said ticket sales had been "encouraging" since being advertised online three weeks ago. He said this confirmed there was a niche market for travel between those regions.

"With new airlines like Jetstar coming along it's great, but they are using existing routes already flown by Air New Zealand. We are pioneering new gateways [out of Nelson] so that's got to be exciting," he said.

The new airline has purchased a Saab 340 34-seat aircraft which will begin test flights from Nelson Airport in October. The first KRA flight will take-off from Nelson on October 28.

Wilson, who is based in Hamilton, said Nelson had huge growth potential.

"In the past it's been about Wellington Airport being a central location [to fly from] geographically, but Nelson is becoming an incredibly important hub," he said.

Wilson is not new to the aviation industry- he launched the short-lived airline Kiwi International Airlines about 20 years ago.

It lasted about two years before collapsing in 1996. Wilson was later convicted on four charges of fraud, which he said were clean-slated after seven years.

This time around would be "hugely different", said Wilson.

"I'm being careful to avoid direct competition [this time], I've learnt so much [since launching Kiwi International Airlines]."

KRA will not only be passenger focussed. Wilson said freighting would be a big part of business.

"Freight is a huge part of it, we can grow even more by bringing fresh produce between [regional] markets, there's a real opportunity there," he said.

Scope for additional regional routes was also on the cards for the airline, including a possible Nelson to Napier and Nelson to Tauranga route.

"But the possibility of those routes will be driven by how these first ones go," said Wilson.

 - Stuff

JESS PULLAR

Last updated 12:27, September 16 2015

Air NZ launches new initiatives for sustainability

Air New Zealand has launched a new sustainability framework to help propel the country's social, economic and environmental success. Chief executive Christopher Luxon launched the framework on Wednesday and also announced a sustainability advisory panel, which includes British environmentalist Sir Jonathon Porritt and New Zealand entrepreneur and environmentalist Rob Fenwick.

"Given the significance of this business to New Zealand we have signed ourselves up to a mission and purpose bigger than ourselves – that is to supercharge New Zealand's success," Luxon said.

Luxon said it was the airline's goal to put sustainability at the heart of its business model focusing on sustained economic growth, positive social impact and reduced environmental impact.

"The reality is people want jet travel. But there's no hiding from it - it has an environmental negative and that's because the industry globally contributes around 2 to 4 per cent to global greenhouse gas emissions," he said.

The company had a longterm plan to improve fuel efficiency, reduce net carbon emissions and see carbon neutral growth.

Luxon said the goals required the company to grow more than 30 per cent in the next five years and expected emissions to increase by 19 per cent.

"We're going to have to really run hard at that target and take a focus around better fuel efficiency, alternative fuels and carbon off setting," he said.

In 2008 Air New Zealand launched an aviation test flight powered by biofuel jatropha, but Luxon said the carbon footprint of jatropha was too "prohibitive" .

Projects around alternative fuels proposed by Air New Zealand in previous years did not come  to fruition and it was a challenging part of the business to think about, Luxon said.

The advisory panel included biofuels expert from the United States Suzanne Hunt.

British environmentalist Porritt has been involved with environmental issues since the early 1970s.

He said many companies that placed sustainability at the bottom of the priority list were in the aviation industry.

"Sustainability for many companies around the world is literally the last thing they want in their life at this time," he said.

"Ever since the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 looked at what their responsibilities might mean in practical terms, more often than not [companies] turned away from that analysis and knowledge about their impact on society and hoped somehow it would go away."

But Porritt said this was changing and he felt Air New Zealand wanted to "own the challenge" of tackling sustainability, which was "practically the hardest issue for an airline".

Air New Zealand also announced a number of other sustainability commitments, including, a new supplier code of conduct, an extension of the airline's partnership with the Department of Conservation and an extension of the airline's sponsorship of Antarctica new Zealand and the New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute.

READ MORE: Air NZ to grow domestic operation

Auckland University of Technology senior marketing lecturer Dr Ann-Marie Kennedy has researched the perceptions of corporate sustainability and said Air New Zealand's framework seemed like a genuine approach to the issue.

"It looks like that green philosophy is permeating through all of their decisions, which is what we would call actual sustainability rather than greenwashing," she said.

Greenwashing was where companies marketed themselves as sustainable but did little to show they were actually sustainable or believed in sustainability.

Kennedy said sustainability was about looking after the "triple bottom line" of people, profit and planet, which seemed to inform Air New Zealand's sustainability initiatives.

"You can't help people without having money and you can't put money into the environment without having it," she said.

 - Stuff

TAO LIN

Last updated 16:35, September 16 2015

New jobs for Nelson as Jetstar takes to skies

Up to 16 new airport ground operations jobs are set for Nelson as airline Jetstar takes to the region's skies. The jobs will be in managing ground operations at the airport, which will be operated through ground handling company Aerocare.

Initial recruiting stages will begin this week, with Aerocare set to employ between 12 and 16 staff in The Nelson region. There will be a mix of full-time and part-time positions.

Jetstar, who recently announced Nelson would be one of its four new regional destinations, commences a Nelson to Auckland service on December 1. A Nelson to Wellington route is projected to start on February 1 2016.

Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dot Kettle said the announcement was a sign of good things to come with Jetstar's arrival in the region.

"I understand a part of Jetstar's aspirations for the region is to grow the market, and creating jobs is the first steps to doing this," she said.

"[Where there] is the opportunity to employ local people - this will stimulate economic growth."

Up to 80 new positions in total will be available in the airline's four new destinations - Nelson, Napier, New Plymouth and Palmerston North.

The positions include customer service agents in charge of check-in and boarding, and ramp staff who will manage aircraft and baggage handling. Senior positions will also be available.

Aerocare currently manages ground handling for Jetstar's services out of Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown.

Aerocare New Zealand chief executive officer Jason Gray said the the new services would involve a $1.8 million investment in new equipment to support Jetstar.

"We're looking forward to working with Jetstar to ensure a successful entry into these new markets," he said.

Jetstar head of New Zealand Grant Kerr said the expansion of Aerocare's services for Jetstar would further develop the relationship between the two companies.

The new regional ground handling roles in Nelson and Napier will be advertised this week with recruiting in October and training in November.

The company is now taking expressions of interest on its website for all regional roles.

 - Stuff

JESS PULLAR

Last updated 00:15, September 15 2015

Nelson's Originair cleared for take-off to capital

Nelson airline Originair is gearing up to make its first flight to Wellington this weekend with seats selling steadily, says owner Robert Inglis. The airline will fly between Nelson and Wellington every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, commencing on Sunday this week. The standard price for the airfare is $99.

Inglis said sales were as expected.

"We have performed to budget expectations," said Inglis.

Inglis said the airline was giving the Wellington route a "soft" introduction by flying four days per week.

"We'll consider whether we do more after the first month of operations, we haven't been in a position to do a daily service yet," he said.

The new route begins as Jetstar made the announcement it would also join Originair, Air New Zealand and Sounds Air to fly the Wellington route from Nelson Airport. Inglis said he was not concerned by the competition.

"I've noted the [Jetstar] service times are in the middle of the day which I imagine are planned to connect with their Wellington to Sydney services. Our service has only ever been planned for the morning and evening peaks," he said.

The airline commenced a new route between Nelson and Palmerston North last month, which has continued to perform well, he said.

Additional routes for the airline were not on the cards as yet but were not completely out of the question, said Inglis.

"Obviously we would never say never, but it's not on our agenda at the moment."

Jetstar said this month it would begin flying the Nelson-Auckland route on December 1, and Nelson-Wellington on February 1.

Kiwi Regional Airlines plans to begin its services between Dunedin and Nelson and Nelson and Hamilton on October 27.

The increased airline competition sparked a price war at the beginning of the month with Jetstar and Air New Zealand offering a $9 fare sale. Industry and tourism leaders have welcomed the competition, both to keep airfares competitive and to bring more visitors to the region.

  Stuff

JESS PULLAR

Last updated 11:03, September 10 2015

New terminal for Nelson Airport

Nelson Airport is to build a new terminal that will replace the current earthquake-prone building and control tower. The company's board of directors have accepted an independent report that suggests that the current terminal and control tower make way for a new building that can meet the region's future needs.

The Nelson City Council classified the terminal and tower as earthquake-prone with a section 124 notice, and issued a date of June 2024 in which to comply with new building standards.

The airport company is owned by the Nelson and Tasman councils, and details about project costs, design and a project timeframe were expected to be released early next year, Nelson Airport chief executive Robert Evans said.

"In the meantime we will be working closely with all airport users, the Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council and the community to make sure everyone is kept informed about the terminal construction project.

"We will be consulting extensively with the airlines and Airways Corporation (New Zealand's air navigation service provider) to ensure their future needs are accommodated where possible."

Mr Evans said the decision was made after analysing factors around a rebuild of the current facility and building brand new.

"The review was very comprehensive and we received compelling reasons why a new build is the best way to provide an airport of the future that will meet our region's growth aspirations."

Mr Evans said the current terminal was opened more than 40 years ago, but with recent airline announcements and forecast growth for the next 20 to 30 years, it was clear that it needed to be expanded.

He said more than one million passengers a year, and more than 300 flights a week, were forecast for Nelson Airport by the end of 2017.

He recently told Radio New Zealand that the airport played a significant role in enabling economic growth in the Nelson region, which is currently served by Air New Zealand Link, Soundsair, Air2There and lately Originair, which all operate scheduled commuter flights.

Hamilton-based Kiwi Regional Airlines and Qantas-owned Jetstar have confirmed plans to operate flights to and from Nelson.

Mr Evans said increased aircraft movements translated to increased revenue for the company, but the biggest impact was on the community through increased options and more competitive air travel prices.

"We're not here to decide who should fly in or not, we're here to enable others to do business."

The airport precinct also housed 35 aeronautical and support businesses, and a clear plan was needed to steer growth in a less ad hoc manner, Mr Evans said.

The company has regularly posted strong earnings resulting in dividends returned to its shareholders, and ultimately the region's rate payers.

Mr Evans said the board is aiming for $3 million annual earnings before deductions in the next year - a $300,000 increase on the past four years.

Tracy Neal - tracy.neal@radionz.co.nz

Updated at 3:13 pm on 8 September 2015

Nelson Airport to get new terminal

Nelson Airport will be getting a substantial makeover after the company’s board accepted the findings of an independent study that recommended replacing the existing terminal and control tower with a new ‘fit for purpose’ terminal that will meet the region’s future needs.

This study included input from structural and services engineers, quantity surveyors and the lead project consultants Impact Project Management and Studio Pacific Architecture. The board’s decision was presented to Nelson Airport stakeholders last week.

“We asked for a comparison of the costs, project time and inconvenience for airport users, of remediating the current facilities or undertaking a total rebuild,” says Nelson Airport chief executive Robert Evans.

“The review was very comprehensive and we received compelling reasons why a new build is the best way to provide an airport of the future that will meet our region’s growth aspirations.

“Our consultants estimate that a rebuild will be quicker than remediation, and it will also be less intrusive on operations and less expensive. It will provide much greater flexibility in terms of how we are able to use the space available,rather than trying to work around the constraints of the existing building.

Robert says it will be an opportunity to build a terminal that is distinctive and reflects the Nelson region. The current airport terminal was opened over 40 years ago but with recent airline announcements and forecast growth for the next 20-30 years,it is clear that it needs to be expanded.

“By the end of 2017 we are forecasting more than one million passengers with over 300 flights per week. That is extraordinary for a regional destination.”

Nelson Airport expects to provide further details about project timing, total costs and design elements in early 2016.

“We have had some preliminary discussions with Nelson Pine Industries and are excited about the potential to use some of their outstanding products to create a distinctive new terminal which the community can be proud of”

Robert says they will be working closely with the Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council and the community to make sure everyone is kept informed about the terminal construction project. “We will be consulting extensively with the airlines and Airways Corporation to ensure their future needs are accommodated where possible.”

Simon Bloomberg

September 8th, 2015 9:34 am

Air NZ's Grabaseat linking airfare prices to temperatures

Air New Zealand is using morning temperatures to set domestic airfares in September. Air New Zealand is offering more than 4000 fares for the month with prices linked to 9am temperatures. The "Septemperature" fares are being offered through the airline's Grabaseat website.

At least three regional destinations a day will have special fares set according to the destination's temperature at 9am.

Former weather presenter Tamati Coffey was fronting the promotion which started on Monday with deals for Blenheim, Nelson and Dunedin.

With Blenheim's temperature today hitting four degrees Celsius at 9am airfares were set at $4.

Fares of $6 and $3 were offered for Nelson and Dunedin.

Air New Zealand group general manager for New Zealand and Pacific Louise Struthers said this was the first time Air New Zealand had used the weather to determine fare prices.

Air New Zealand has dropped prices on its regional routes as Australian low cost carrier Jetstar prepares to compete on routes to New Plymouth, Nelson, Palmerston North and Napier from December,

JOHN ANTHONY

Last updated 13:47, September 7 2015

New airport terminal confirmed for Nelson Airport

Nelson Airport has confirmed it will build a new airport terminal on its existing site. The Board of Nelson Airport announced on Monday it would build a new terminal, rather than remediate the existing building, to meet the future needs of the region.

Nelson Airport chief executive Rob Evans said the decision to rebuild rather than remediate was the most feasible option in terms costs, project time and inconvenience for airport users.

He said a rebuild was needed to keep up with an "extraordinary" growth in passengers at the terminal over the next two years. Evans estimated by the end of 2017 there would be more than 1 million passengers with over 300 flights per week at the airport.

"That is extraordinary for a regional destination," he said.

The current building is about 40 years old.

The Airport made the decision to rebuild after appointing Wellington-based firms Studio Pacific Architects and Impact Project Management to conduct a feasibility study. The firms began assessments of the airport back in April with input from structural and services engineers and quantity surveyors.

"The review was very comprehensive and we received compelling reasons why a new build is the best way to provide an airport of the future that will meet our region's growth aspirations," said Evans.

Evans said the Airport would provide further details about project timing, total costs and designs in early 2016.

Air New Zealand Group general manager airports John Whittaker said the airline welcomed the announcement.

"We continue to significantly grow capacity on our Nelson services and look forward to working closely with the Nelson Airport Company on the designs and requirements for the future terminal," he said.

The announcement comes as additional airlines take to Nelson skies this year, including Jetstar, which will fly to Wellington and Auckland from December. Originair has also commenced their service to Palmerston North last month and Kiwi Regional Airlines will start flying direct from Nelson to Dunedin, Hamilton and Queenstown at the end of October.

Nelson Airport is currently working with Nelson Pine Industries ahead of the rebuild on potential use of their products. It is also working with Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council as a way to keep the community up to date with the developments.

 - Stuff

JESS PULLAR

Last updated 10:06, September 8 2015