Pasifika Air’s launch plans in New Zealand are still pending

10.05.2021 – 14:37 UTC

The Pasifika Air (Christchurch) launch is still on hold despite the opening of a two-way, non-quarantine travel bubble between New Zealand and the Cook Islands on May 17, 2021.

This was confirmed by New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority Senior Communications Advisor Blake Crayton-Brown, who informed ch-aviation by email that “the Pasifika Air certificate application is currently pending. “.

Pasifika Air founder and CEO Mike Pero told Radio New Zealand earlier that the airline was pursuing certification “which is a long process,” but hopes to take off by the end of the year. Pero was not immediately available for comment on ch-aviation.

Renamed Jet Raro (Christchurch), Pasifika Air began its certification campaign on December 1, 2020, initially hoping to launch in May or June 2021, with premium services three times a week from Christchurch and Wellington to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

Pero welcomed the opening of the two-way travel bubble, but believed it would take time for travel demand to return …

Garuda Indonesia Drops Pricing Appeal, $ 15 Million Fine

22.04.2021 – 03:27 UTC

The Australian Federal Court ordered Garuda Indonesia (GA, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta) to pay an Australian $ 19 million (US $ 15 million) fine in a global air cargo pricing case after that the Indonesian national airline has dropped the appeal against the sanction imposed two years ago.

Garuda had withdrawn its June 2019 appeal against the May 2019 judgment, which found it colluded with other airlines on charges and surcharges for air cargo services for a wide range of consumer goods between 2003 and 2006, said the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). in a report. The case was part of a long-standing ACCC action against a global price-fixing cartel in the air cargo industry.

Given the crippling effects of COVID-19 on the airline industry, the court ordered Garuda to pay the fine in monthly installments between December 2021 and December 2026 and contribute to the costs of the ACCC. Under court orders, if Garuda misses a monthly payment, the entire amount outstanding becomes due within 30 business days.

“What is important…

Air New Zealand postpones fundraising and expands loan facility

12.04.2021 – 22:56 UTC

Air New Zealand (NZ, Auckland Int’l) has chosen to postpone its planned capital increase for three months while also securing an increase in its government loan facility, the airline and government said on April 9, citing the changing market circumstances.

The loan facility made available to the carrier in March 2020 has been extended to a maximum of NZD 1.5 billion (US $ 1.06 billion) – an additional amount of NZD 600 million (US $ 422 million) – available for an additional 16 months until September 27. , 2023.

Air New Zealand has postponed its proposed capital increase to the end of the year, now slated for September 30, a move designed to “give them more time to assess market conditions,” said Grant Robertson, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Finance and Deputy Prime Minister. He also reiterated the will of the government – already its majority shareholder with 52% of the capital – to participate.

The national carrier said it now has sufficient liquidity to complete the capital increase with the extended loan facility.

Airline President Therese Walsh explained that …

Everyone except Virgin Australia gears up for the Trans-Tasman bubble

08.04.2021 – 02:35 UTC

Qantas (QF, Sydney Kingsford Smith), Jetstar Airways and Air New Zealand are preparing to resume flights between Australia and New Zealand when a two-way Trans-Tasman bubble opens for non-quarantine travel on April 19, but Virgin Australia says it won’t serve most of its New Zealand routes until Oct. 31.

In a surprise gesture, Virgin Australia said it was taking “a more pragmatic approach”. While he remained committed to flying Trans-Tasman once the market fully recovered, he was “aware of evolving border requirements which add complexity to our business as we continue our plans to expand our core domestic operations. in Australia”. For this reason, it had suspended the sale of most of its New Zealand services until October 31. A limited schedule for flights to and from Queenstown (New Zealand) would remain available for booking services from September 18.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, Virgin Australia suspended scheduled New Zealand services in March 2020. “Since that time, and given the change in border restrictions, the airline has taken a more pragmatic approach. …