1. Domestic Airbus island-hopping its way to NZ
Air New Zealand's new all-black A320 plane for domestic routes is about to set off on its three-day delivery flight to New Zealand, island-hopping across the Pacific to arrive in Auckland early next week.
In a route similar to earlier days when international aircraft did not have long-range fuel tanks, it is stopping over in Gander, Canada, then Denver, Los Angeles, Hawaii, and Samoa on its way to Auckland.
At Los Angeles, on Sunday morning (local time), it will be showcased to aviation enthusiasts at LAX airport, while the flight crew sleep.
The aircraft - painted black with a silver fern to mark the airline's sponsorship of the All Blacks - was recently flown from the Airbus manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France, to Hamburg, Germany, for a fit-out of the cabin interior. The ZK-OAB registration is the only Air NZ A320 to be painted black.
Air New Zealand has 14 of the 171-seat aircraft on order, and this first one will be brought onto domestic routes from early February. Another three will be delivered this year and the remaining 10 progressively through until 2016, coinciding with the expiry of leases for Boeing 737-300.
The airline has said that the larger aircraft will let it boost domestic jet capacity by nearly 30 percent. The current 737 fleet is configured with 133 seats.
A test flight before an earlier A320 delivery, from Perpignan -- 200km east of Toulouse - to Germany killed five New Zealanders and the two German pilots in November 2008, after a combination of pilot error and faulty sensors caused it to crash into the Mediterranean.
1. Free coffee, celebrity aircraft at LAX Observation Deck
irplane aficionados, you’re clear to land. At the LAX Observation Deck, that is.
On Sunday, LAX is holding its first “Sunday Morning Coffee” for aviation enthusiasts and the general public, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. atop the Observation Deck at the airport’s landmark Theme Building. Admission, coffee, cookies – all free. But not the parking, which will be at the usual rates.
Scanners will allow visitors to listen in on transmissions between pilots and air controllers, and free telescopes will allow close-up peeks at three aircraft that will be arriving that morning -- a sort of a celebrity lineup of arriving flights:
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-- Air New Zealand "All Blacks" A320: Estimated arrival time 9:25 a.m.; departure time 11 a.m.
-- Qantas A380: ETA 9:45 a.m. (for evening departure)
-- Air New Zealand B777-300ER: ETA 10 a.m. for (evening departure)
Of particular note is Air New Zealand’s A320, which is making a brief stop at LAX (its only stop worldwide) on its delivery flight from France to New Zealand. The aircraft’s sleek black exterior, which honors New Zealand's national rugby team, includes a silver fern motif and a koru design on its tail. Unless you will be flying domestically in New Zealand, you won’t have a chance to see this aircraft anyplace else, according to LAX officials.
Air New Zealand's B777-300ER is notable for its new Skycouch economy-class seats, which are equipped with footrests that can be raised to create a sofa-type sleeping surface across three seats.
And this is the only place on the West Coast to see the A380, the world’s largest commercial airliner, which Qantas pulled from service for a period after an engine on that model failed after takeoff from Singapore in November, forcing the pilots to return the plane to the airport. Earlier this month, Qantas resumed A380 service betweeen LAX and Australia.
Those attending Sunday’s event have several parking options. They can park in Lots 1 or 2 in the central terminal area, where short-term rates are $3 for the first hour and $2 for each 30-minute period after that. Or they can go to Parking Lot C, the long-term lot with shuttle service to the terminal, which is free for the first two hours and $1 for each additional two hours after that.
FlyAway service from Van Nuys, Westwood, Irvine and Union Station is also available. Passengers going to the Observation Deck should depart at Terminal 2.
The Observation Deck, which reopened last year after being shuttered after 9/11, is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Personal belongings are inspected before visitors enter the elevator to the Observation Deck.
3. Air NZ commuter flights set for takeoff
SKY'S THE LIMIT: Paraparaumu Airport manager Heather Woodcock with plans for the $750 million redevelopment.
Air New Zealand has the green light to provide a service between Paraparaumu and Auckland from October.
The airline's subsidiary, Air Nelson, will operate 18 return weekday flights and three return weekend trips, using 50-seater Bombardier Q300 aircraft. Flights will take 70 minutes, compared with about an hour from Wellington.
Air NZ will not give details of the cost of flights until mid-year.
Otaki MP Nathan Guy said the service would have 100,000 potential customers from Porirua to Levin, and tie in with improvements to road and rail services under way on the Kapiti Coast.
Paraparaumu Airport owner Sir Noel Robinson said yesterday he was delighted that, after five years of Resource Management Act negotiations and other regulatory processes, Air NZ had finally given its approval.
"It will put Kapiti Coast firmly on the map. This opens the Kapiti Coast up to local and international travellers and provides Wellington with a second airport.
"If an earthquake like the one that devastated Christchurch hit Wellington, the capital city could be cut off."
Opposition to the 10 to 15-year, $750-million airport redevelopment, which includes an adjoining business park, was battled out in the Environment Court, and fiery local public meetings over the past five years drew up to 400 people.
Descendants of the original airport land owners lobbied strongly for compensation or for land to be offered back after the Government sold the 127-hectare block for $1.6m to Murray Cole and three other local businessman in 1995.
A further blow to the airport's plans was delivered last year by the Civil Aviation Authority, which ruled that a staffed flight information service was needed before the Air NZ flights could begin.
The airport plans to immediately begin an upgrade to include the flight information service.
Airport company director Steve Bootten said it was also hoping to attract other sub-regional airlines to connect with the new service.
About 60 car parks will be developed at the Koru St entrance.
Small operator air2there will continue to provide flights to Nelson, Blenheim and Wellington from the airport and Helipro has a flying school for planes and helicopters based there.
The first stage of Kapiti Landing Business Park is on track, with an 8700sqm Mitre 10 store due to open in March.
Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan congratulated Sir Noel and the airport company for their perseverance through the long regulatory process.
"The airport redevelopment and the introduction of commercial flights is hugely positive for Paraparaumu and the Kapiti Coast region."
Kapiti Coast Chamber of Commerce chairman Mark Ternent said daily flights to Auckland would provide better work and leisure options for people living in Kapiti and from Tawa to Levin.
"The airport will be a regional asset, helping take the load off Wellington Airport, which is congested at peak hours."
A service from Paraparaumu to Wairarapa and Auckland was started more than 10 years ago, but failed to attract enough passengers.
What's Next?
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Fulton Hogan will start work on a $2 million project to reseal the main runway mid-February
Airport company PAL has lodged a resource consent application to build a $700,000 terminal, accompanied by 60 car parks, planned to be built over the next 6 months
Work is also about to start on $600,000 worth of runway lighting and navigational equipment upgrades. Contracts have been let to Radiola
PAL is working with Airways NZ for the training and recruitment of flight information service operators
The name of the airport will be changed from Paraparaumu Airport to Kapiti Coast Airport
Flights to Auckland start at Labour Weekend.
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