A New Zealand-based regional charter airline has been formed and will launch operations from the city of Nelson on the country's South Island with a fleet of 18-seat aircraft.
OriginPacific Airways has been set up by Robert Inglis, the founder of regional carrier Air Nelson, which was eventually sold out to Air New Zealand (ANZ). The new charter airline will start with refurbished British Aerospace Jetstream 31s from BAe Asset Management-Turboprops (AMT) (Flight International, 12-18 March, P7). Three of the aircraft are configured with 18 seats, while the fourth (an ex-demonstration aircraft) has an executive ten-place layout.
Inglis, who initially remained as Air Nelson's chief executive after the ANZ acquisition, but left 18 months ago, is prevented from setting up a rival regional carrier under a restraint-of-trade agreement. Inglis and partner Nicki Smith, who founded Air Nelson 20 years ago, say that they have no plans to operate scheduled flights.
Source: Flight International
