Paraparaumu start up...
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Paraparaumu start up...
City air link offers $56 fare
08 October 2004
By SUE ALLEN
A city-hopper air service begins at Paraparaumu Airport next month.
The air2there service will fly a continuous circular shuttle from Paraparaumu to Wellington, Blenheim, Masterton and Palmerston North.
Murray Cole, chairman of Integra Investments, which is behind the service, said the air link made sense because of New Zealand's network of small airports and busy roads.
"We have probably got more (airports) per head of population than anywhere else in the world because of a wonderful Ministry of Works in the 1940s.
"Then every little town wanted its own airport and now they are under-utilised and yet we have problem with the roads being clogged up," he said.
The first flight of the day will leave Paraparaumu at 6.40am and go to Wellington and Blenheim, back to Paraparaumu, Palmerston North and Masterton, and then return to Paraparaumu.
The last flight returns to Paraparaumu from Wellington at 7.05pm.
Flights are timed to connect with international departures from Wellington and Palmerston North airports, and with ferry crossings.
The standard fare for each leg is $56, but that could drop to $28 for a limited number of seats bought on a 20-trip ticket and includes all charges and GST.
Mr Cole said Integra Investments had spent nine months developing the timetable, which was aimed at capturing commuters, day shoppers and travellers. A weekend schedule was also offered for people wanting to get away.
Integra has invested about $4 million on upgrading Paraparaumu Airport's facilities and on the plane, a Prop Jet Cessna C208B Grand Caravan, which will have nine passenger seats initially.
Mr Cole's company bought Paraparaumu Airport for $1.6 million in 1995.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe auditor-general is investigating the sale after a transport select committee finding that the sale process was seriously flawed and had not protected the interests of the former owners, Te Whanau a Te Ngarara.
But Mr Cole said he had no concerns over the future of the airport.
As air2there needed only about three passengers to break even, flights would leave to timetable even if they were not full.
"If we can get sufficient patronage we can increase the frequency so it could get to the point where people would know there was a flight from Wellington to Blenheim every hour and even if they hadn't booked and it was full they would just have to wait an hour for the next one."
The airline formally opens on November 19, but will start taking Internet bookings next week.
Mr Cole said the company had already divided New Zealand into air2there sections.
If the idea took off the service would be expanded using the same section-based fares but creating new air-link hubs around the country, he said.
08 October 2004
By SUE ALLEN
A city-hopper air service begins at Paraparaumu Airport next month.
The air2there service will fly a continuous circular shuttle from Paraparaumu to Wellington, Blenheim, Masterton and Palmerston North.
Murray Cole, chairman of Integra Investments, which is behind the service, said the air link made sense because of New Zealand's network of small airports and busy roads.
"We have probably got more (airports) per head of population than anywhere else in the world because of a wonderful Ministry of Works in the 1940s.
"Then every little town wanted its own airport and now they are under-utilised and yet we have problem with the roads being clogged up," he said.
The first flight of the day will leave Paraparaumu at 6.40am and go to Wellington and Blenheim, back to Paraparaumu, Palmerston North and Masterton, and then return to Paraparaumu.
The last flight returns to Paraparaumu from Wellington at 7.05pm.
Flights are timed to connect with international departures from Wellington and Palmerston North airports, and with ferry crossings.
The standard fare for each leg is $56, but that could drop to $28 for a limited number of seats bought on a 20-trip ticket and includes all charges and GST.
Mr Cole said Integra Investments had spent nine months developing the timetable, which was aimed at capturing commuters, day shoppers and travellers. A weekend schedule was also offered for people wanting to get away.
Integra has invested about $4 million on upgrading Paraparaumu Airport's facilities and on the plane, a Prop Jet Cessna C208B Grand Caravan, which will have nine passenger seats initially.
Mr Cole's company bought Paraparaumu Airport for $1.6 million in 1995.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe auditor-general is investigating the sale after a transport select committee finding that the sale process was seriously flawed and had not protected the interests of the former owners, Te Whanau a Te Ngarara.
But Mr Cole said he had no concerns over the future of the airport.
As air2there needed only about three passengers to break even, flights would leave to timetable even if they were not full.
"If we can get sufficient patronage we can increase the frequency so it could get to the point where people would know there was a flight from Wellington to Blenheim every hour and even if they hadn't booked and it was full they would just have to wait an hour for the next one."
The airline formally opens on November 19, but will start taking Internet bookings next week.
Mr Cole said the company had already divided New Zealand into air2there sections.
If the idea took off the service would be expanded using the same section-based fares but creating new air-link hubs around the country, he said.
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"Integra has invested about $4 million on upgrading Paraparaumu Airport's facilities..."
Sorry but this is absolute rubbish. This Company has not spent ANY money upgrading the airport. The airport is in the worst condition of it's life. Any pilot flying in there would be able to see this esp if they flying in after dark.
The state of the grass runways has got to the point where it is almost dangerous to use them. The sealed runways have trees growing through them, the reflectors leading aircraft onto taxiways at night are useless. The general runway lighting is shambolick and the lead in lighting has not worked for over a year.
Infact 29 was shortened apparently due to some arbitrary figure to do with cost effectiveness of runway maintenance not being meet. So the answer was to cut off the best peace on a frequently used runway and leave the worst peice on the whole feild at the opposite end. 11 is used about 6 days a year.
Maybe money has been spent on the outlying perimeters of the field but this seems only to have been done where major survey work was done. The surveying work suspiciously looked like standard residential lots being measured out.
More lies and deceit form a liar extrodinare! Beware of this outfit if you are looking for work.
Sorry but this is absolute rubbish. This Company has not spent ANY money upgrading the airport. The airport is in the worst condition of it's life. Any pilot flying in there would be able to see this esp if they flying in after dark.
The state of the grass runways has got to the point where it is almost dangerous to use them. The sealed runways have trees growing through them, the reflectors leading aircraft onto taxiways at night are useless. The general runway lighting is shambolick and the lead in lighting has not worked for over a year.
Infact 29 was shortened apparently due to some arbitrary figure to do with cost effectiveness of runway maintenance not being meet. So the answer was to cut off the best peace on a frequently used runway and leave the worst peice on the whole feild at the opposite end. 11 is used about 6 days a year.
Maybe money has been spent on the outlying perimeters of the field but this seems only to have been done where major survey work was done. The surveying work suspiciously looked like standard residential lots being measured out.
More lies and deceit form a liar extrodinare! Beware of this outfit if you are looking for work.
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Interesting angle of the photo in the paper, had the crew wondering if the Twin Otter was making a reappearance! Guy must have been sitting down for that shot
Will be interesting to see how they go, head to head with Eagle on shark patrols WN - WB, and when the wx packs up.
Get the hours, get your pay and move it on boys (and girls)
Nosey
Will be interesting to see how they go, head to head with Eagle on shark patrols WN - WB, and when the wx packs up.
Get the hours, get your pay and move it on boys (and girls)
Nosey
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Nosey, they reckon they are operating IFR. single IFR?? hmm.
They don't even have the aircraft yet. It's been coming for about 18 months now. The aircraft you saw in the picture is a demo model part-bannana. Air2there.com have the licence in NZ to sell them for Vulcanair. I am pretty sure there not operating it on this service that is starting up.
Anyone remember the Mana fast ferry service? Well it's the same fella.
Cub.
They don't even have the aircraft yet. It's been coming for about 18 months now. The aircraft you saw in the picture is a demo model part-bannana. Air2there.com have the licence in NZ to sell them for Vulcanair. I am pretty sure there not operating it on this service that is starting up.
Anyone remember the Mana fast ferry service? Well it's the same fella.
Cub.
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Mr cubnut sir whilst not disagreeing with all you state are you trying to say that you wont hop out of your cub or 152 when you get a sniff of burnt kero from across the road and turn down the opportunity to fly a turbine? Things must be going really well where you work. As Nosegear said get the time get the money and move on
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not at Air2There...
Well, I don't know about Cubnut, but I certainly wouldn't jump out of MY 152 to go fly for this man!
I fly at the airfield mentioned by Cub and pretty much - well, EVERYTHING - he said, is true as far as me + mine are aware.
He did forget to mention, though, the Chief Pilot who "apparantly" is only a PPL holder, but deems it necessary to stare down his nose at other GA pilots on the same airfield (especially women, but lets not go there! LOL) Would make for a warm and conducive working environment, I'm sure...
Ask any GA pilot in the vicinity... I'm all for going that extra distance and doing the crap jobs to get to the real job at the end... but work for this bloke?
I'd rather go back to the bank.
Kiwi Chick
I fly at the airfield mentioned by Cub and pretty much - well, EVERYTHING - he said, is true as far as me + mine are aware.
He did forget to mention, though, the Chief Pilot who "apparantly" is only a PPL holder, but deems it necessary to stare down his nose at other GA pilots on the same airfield (especially women, but lets not go there! LOL) Would make for a warm and conducive working environment, I'm sure...
Ask any GA pilot in the vicinity... I'm all for going that extra distance and doing the crap jobs to get to the real job at the end... but work for this bloke?
I'd rather go back to the bank.
Kiwi Chick
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So does this company even have a Van on the field yet?.....or is it all like christmas....coming soon.
And if the Chief Pilot is only a PPL, how the hell has this outfit got an A.O.C.....let alone a passenger transport certificate.
Im only asking as an interested (kiwi) observer who is flying Grand Caravans in the UK at the moment....and I thought this may have been an opportunity to return home.
Bugger
And if the Chief Pilot is only a PPL, how the hell has this outfit got an A.O.C.....let alone a passenger transport certificate.
Im only asking as an interested (kiwi) observer who is flying Grand Caravans in the UK at the moment....and I thought this may have been an opportunity to return home.
Bugger
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Shovel.
Yep. That's exactly what I am saying.
Would you?
cub.
Haughtney. Nope, they don\'t have a van yet. Christmas has been twice since they said they had one (actually they originaly said two) coming. The chief pilot is not the guy Kiwichick is thinking about. In fact I believe they have two CPL IR chaps. The Pilots seem to be good guys from what I\'ve seen/heard. I\'m not or would not knock them at all. Just the shister they work for.
Would the fact that the boss owns the airfield that they are supposed to be operating from not be a conflict of interest. Esp seeing as the local 135 charter organisation that operates close by have to pay fees to him. I am guessing he wont be charging himself landing fees etc. Shovel, waddya reckon mate?
cub.
Yep. That's exactly what I am saying.
Would you?
cub.
Haughtney. Nope, they don\'t have a van yet. Christmas has been twice since they said they had one (actually they originaly said two) coming. The chief pilot is not the guy Kiwichick is thinking about. In fact I believe they have two CPL IR chaps. The Pilots seem to be good guys from what I\'ve seen/heard. I\'m not or would not knock them at all. Just the shister they work for.
Would the fact that the boss owns the airfield that they are supposed to be operating from not be a conflict of interest. Esp seeing as the local 135 charter organisation that operates close by have to pay fees to him. I am guessing he wont be charging himself landing fees etc. Shovel, waddya reckon mate?
cub.
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Kiwi & cubbie, Hello. I am not disputing that the businessman running this new venture is ok. The business men I have met have mostly been rsoles. The last time I went through NZPP the airfield did look in a state of disrepair and I also find it difficult to see where $ 4 million has been spent. You may be correct in warning potential pilots about working for whoever this airtothere crowd is. My point is that if working for this rsole was going to advance my career and if I was in a position that wasn't really getting me to where I wanted to go yes I would give it a crack. You may know more about this place more than me but I am sure there will be plenty of pilots that would gladdly hop out of their 2 seater or 4 seater trainer to fly something with more seats than most light twins in this country and a kerosene heater up front.
By the way I must admire any one who has invested money into this venture. I really take my hat off to them. Any one who invests in is aviation must be prepared to lose and business men hate to lose money no matter how big their fortune is. If I had money I could afford to lose I'd rather go to the casino.
cubbie, mate as for the fees I\'m sure he will be charging himself he\'s a businessman and there will be some sort of tax incentive???
By the way I must admire any one who has invested money into this venture. I really take my hat off to them. Any one who invests in is aviation must be prepared to lose and business men hate to lose money no matter how big their fortune is. If I had money I could afford to lose I'd rather go to the casino.
cubbie, mate as for the fees I\'m sure he will be charging himself he\'s a businessman and there will be some sort of tax incentive???
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Mistaken Identity?
My apologies to the Chief Pilot of this ... er, "orgisation".
The man I was thinking of - the PPL with the utmost respect for all other aviators - is the Airport Manager...!!
Don't know if this makes his attitude more or less acceptable?!
And, yes, I wouldn't dispute that lots of pilots will come running to work for him... but as soon as they realise what he's like I'm sure they'll go running again back in the other direction.
Just a cynical Kiwi Chick
The man I was thinking of - the PPL with the utmost respect for all other aviators - is the Airport Manager...!!
Don't know if this makes his attitude more or less acceptable?!
And, yes, I wouldn't dispute that lots of pilots will come running to work for him... but as soon as they realise what he's like I'm sure they'll go running again back in the other direction.
Just a cynical Kiwi Chick
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ok so all not doom and gloom yet...............I will keep my eyes on that one.....or I see BA are now looking for turbo-prop pilots.hmmmmm decisions decisions
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B]BA? who are they?[/B]
Umm a little outfit based in the northern hemisphere......used to be known as the worlds favourite airline...remember the ads'...all the warbly singing...and funny shapes on the ground?
Umm a little outfit based in the northern hemisphere......used to be known as the worlds favourite airline...remember the ads'...all the warbly singing...and funny shapes on the ground?
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haughtney1
I certainly know who they are, you are obviously based over there and they are an option for you, unfortunately they probably are not for your average poor kiwi pilot.
Cheers
I certainly know who they are, you are obviously based over there and they are an option for you, unfortunately they probably are not for your average poor kiwi pilot.
Cheers
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Sorry A4...I wasnt trying to sound disrespectful.....they probably arent an option for me either..but.."shoot for the stars!"...and you never know. Besides all that I want to get back to NZ..the weather here sucks...the missus hates the rain...and I want to get out to improve my golf swing..and do a little rock fishing. Getting in the odd super 12 or All Black game wouldnt go amiss either.......apologies for any offense.
H
H
