Kiwijet
Encyclopedia
Kiwijet was a proposed and ultimately failed low-cost airline
planned for New Zealand
. It intended to be "New Zealand’s first all jet regional airline", serving seven cities with Avro RJ-100
s.
Kiwijet's stated plans have changed considerably since its initial announcement. It initially planned to operate two or more Boeing 737
aircraft on routes from Auckland to Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill at fares as low as $150. The airline has been accused of using information leaked by Air New Zealand employees to gain a business advantage. In June 2007, Kiwijet issued a press release stating that it had been unsuccessful in its bid to buy Jetconnect
, the local subsidiary of Qantas
. Kiwijet stated that it would proceed with "plan B", which would see Embraer ERJ 145
aircraft operating between nine cities, providing a feeder service to foreign airlines without a New Zealand partner. More details of this plan were released in July, when Kiwijet announced the choice of Christchurch as a hub city, confirmed its plan to use of Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft, and changed one planned destination. In August, Kiwijet said that it was about to begin hiring chief operational staff, and that it was aiming to have seven aircraft at time of launch. In September however, a further press release announced that due to difficulties sourcing, certifying, and maintaining its desired ERJ 145 variant in New Zealand, the airline would instead aim to launch with four Avro RJ-100 aircraft, serving seven cities.
Soaring aviation fuel prices during 2008 saw a decision to delay launching services until March 2009, and then indefinitely when the original backers pulled out after the severe credit crisis hit in late 2008. In October 2008 directors had resurrected the airline—following stronger backing—as a small two-aircraft (BAe 146QT type) freight airline to begin running early in 2009 as a prelude to opening passenger services later that year, citing the sudden plunge in jet fuel prices and a stronger US dollar to NZ dollar rising well above projections forecast in early 2008. Freight flights would serve as route surveys. However the Global economic meltdown at the start of 2009 buried any start date and nothing has been heard from this airline since, its directors returning to the US.
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
planned for New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It intended to be "New Zealand’s first all jet regional airline", serving seven cities with Avro RJ-100
BAe 146
The British Aerospace 146 is a medium-sized commercial airliner formerly manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace, later part of BAE Systems. Production ran from 1983 until 2002. Manufacture of an improved version known as the Avro RJ began in 1992...
s.
History
The proposed airline, announced in May 2007, had plans to launch in November 2008.Kiwijet's stated plans have changed considerably since its initial announcement. It initially planned to operate two or more Boeing 737
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
aircraft on routes from Auckland to Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill at fares as low as $150. The airline has been accused of using information leaked by Air New Zealand employees to gain a business advantage. In June 2007, Kiwijet issued a press release stating that it had been unsuccessful in its bid to buy Jetconnect
JetConnect
Jetconnect is an airline based in Auckland, New Zealand. It is a shell company of Qantas. It was established in July 2002 and started operations in October 2002. It operates trans-tasman services between New Zealand and Australia under the Qantas brand. It employs crew based in New Zealand and...
, the local subsidiary of Qantas
Qantas
Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia. The name was originally "QANTAS", an initialism for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services". Nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo", the airline is based in Sydney, with its main hub at Sydney Airport...
. Kiwijet stated that it would proceed with "plan B", which would see Embraer ERJ 145
Embraer ERJ 145 family
The Embraer ERJ 145 family is a series of regional jets produced by Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace company. Family members include the ERJ 135 , ERJ 140 , and ERJ 145 , as well as the Legacy business jet and the R-99 family of military aircraft. The ERJ 145 is the largest of the group...
aircraft operating between nine cities, providing a feeder service to foreign airlines without a New Zealand partner. More details of this plan were released in July, when Kiwijet announced the choice of Christchurch as a hub city, confirmed its plan to use of Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft, and changed one planned destination. In August, Kiwijet said that it was about to begin hiring chief operational staff, and that it was aiming to have seven aircraft at time of launch. In September however, a further press release announced that due to difficulties sourcing, certifying, and maintaining its desired ERJ 145 variant in New Zealand, the airline would instead aim to launch with four Avro RJ-100 aircraft, serving seven cities.
Soaring aviation fuel prices during 2008 saw a decision to delay launching services until March 2009, and then indefinitely when the original backers pulled out after the severe credit crisis hit in late 2008. In October 2008 directors had resurrected the airline—following stronger backing—as a small two-aircraft (BAe 146QT type) freight airline to begin running early in 2009 as a prelude to opening passenger services later that year, citing the sudden plunge in jet fuel prices and a stronger US dollar to NZ dollar rising well above projections forecast in early 2008. Freight flights would serve as route surveys. However the Global economic meltdown at the start of 2009 buried any start date and nothing has been heard from this airline since, its directors returning to the US.