Feb. 1 date for start of new airline

Press, 24 October 1984, Page 2

Feb. 1 date for start of new airline

By

LES BLOXHAM,

travel editor Newmans Air, the T.N.L. Group’s newly formed domestic airline, is expected to take off on February 1 with three return flights a day between Christchurch and Auckland, and two between Christchurch and Queenstown. Details, including fares and in-flight services, are being kept under tight wraps by the Nelson-based company. Mr Eric Peter, T.N.L.’s special projects executive, said yesterday that a public relations firm would handle press information at a later date. However, according to informed sources, Newmans Air is preparing to woo the public with competitive fares and in-flight extras such as tasty snacks and New Zealand wine. It is believed that flights will leave Christchurch for Rotorua and Auckland daily about 8 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 !>.m., and for Glentanner near Mount Cook) and Queenstown at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The two 50-seat De Havilland Dash 7 aircraft will be in use for about 14 hours a day, seven days a week. The first of the fourengine turbo-prop planes is expected to arrive from the Canadian factory in midDecember; the second about a month later.

Seating will be two abreast, separated by an aisle about 45cm wide. An unusual feature of the proposed layout is the position of the first row of seats on either side of the aisle: the four occupants will face the rear of the aircraft T.N.L. has invested more than ?30 million in the airline. It will require more than 100 employees, including 16 pilots, to get it off the ground. Newmans Air, which will fly parallel along the tourist route pioneered between Auckland’ and Queenstown by Mount Cook Airlines 20 years ago, is seen as a threat by the Mount Cook Group’s managing director, Mr P. S. Phillips.

“It is a threat which we must face up to and do our best to minimise,” he said yesterday. “It is clear that they are out for a share of the existing market, and that could prove costly for both companies. “Newmans, like, us, is an old pioneering transport company, and we have a healthy respect for its abilities,” said Mr Phillips. The Mount Cook Airline will unveil a new colour scheme next week and will also soon install new, more comfortable seats. Mount Cook will face the challenge from Newmans Air with its existing fleet of six Hawker Siddeley 48-seat aircraft.