New regional airline service ‘total different picture’

The man behind a new regional air service pledges to learn from past mistakes. Libby Wilson reports.

Kiwi Regional Airlines will use ‘‘every lesson’’ from a past failure in setting up its latest venture, says the man behind it.

And potential destination airports say when proposals are complete they’re ready to judge them on merit.

The airline will have its commercial base in Hamilton and plans to offer services stopping in destinations including Hamilton, Tauranga, Blenheim and Queenstown.

Chief executive Ewan Wilson was also behind the failed Kiwi International Airlines, which collapsed in 1996.

But potential travellers should have confidence in Kiwi Regional Airlines (KRA), Wilson said.

‘‘When we get through the regulatory process and we arrive with our fully bought and paid aircraft, you should not hesitate to have the faith in getting on.’’

When Kiwi International failed in 1996, thousands of travellers were grounded with worthless tickets.

Wilson was later convicted on four charges of fraud, which he says were ‘‘clean-slated’’ after seven years.

‘‘[KRA] is a total different picture,’’ Wilson said.

‘‘The only thing left from the Kiwi Air days is the fact that we’ve continued to use the name and we’re continuing to use every lesson that we accumulated.’’

A major difference was that Kiwi Regional Airlines routes would not be competing against Air New Zealand, Wilson said.

KRA would also buy its own planes and have its own staff and air operator certificate.

The ‘‘robust’’ certification process was under way and would include the Civil Aviation Authority deciding if it accepted Wilson as chief executive, he said.

The Hamilton base for Kiwi Regional Airlines would also create 14 new jobs in the city, Wilson said.

He initially ruled out a HamiltonAuckland route but a once-a-day service is now planned.

‘‘We found it important to make sure there was a gateway through our major arrival city into New Zealand to feed our network.’’

Hamilton Airport’s general manager – commercial George Clark said the continuation of that route after Air New Zealand pulled out would be good for the region – especially those who lived south of the airport.

And when it came to Wilson’s latest plans, he thought it was ‘‘unfair’’ for people to keep bringing up Kiwi International.

‘‘You have to take the operation that is being put forward today, not the one from nearly 20 years ago,’’ he said. ‘‘If a successful business model can be put forward by Kiwi Regional Airlines and it’s soundly backed financially, then it has to be considered – along with any other similar operation.’’

Queenstown Airport chief executive Scott Paterson said the route plan was well thought out but he had questions about flight timings to the town.

‘‘We have a daylight curfew . . . Right now during the summer there’s no problem but during the winter that curfew gets tighter and tighter. And winter’s our busiest period.’’

Marlborough Airport Ltd chief executive Dean Heiford was open to discussion.

‘‘I’d rather sit down and talk with these people and find out what options we have . . . than not,’’ he said.

‘‘There’s certainly issues that we’d look into. Any agreements would have to be watertight.’’

However, the proposed routes would create more options for travellers coming into the area and locals heading out, Heiford said.

Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese liked the proposed Nelson-to-Queenstown link, which would connect two tourist destinations, as long as it was a ‘‘sustainable link’’. ‘‘We want more flights more often. ‘‘That’s what it’s about for us,’’ she said.

libby.wilson@fairfaxmedia.co.nz