New private jet service for business

A Christchurch aircraft charter business has bought a new business jet for people in a hurry.

The deal is covered by a manufacturers' confidentiality agreement, but it is understood the new Cessna Citation CJ3 set Pacific Jets back by between $8 million and $10m.

The eight seat executive jet will cost between $4000 and $4500 an hour to charter and travels at just under 800kmh at an altitude of up to 45,000ft, which means Christchurch business people could be in Auckland in about an hour.

Pacific Jets chief executive Terry Murdoch said the company's older Cessna had been traded up for the new model which had a greater range. The new jet has a range of up to six hours, which makes flights such as Queenstown-Fiji possible.

"Sydney is a piece of cake... and we'll be able to fly to the Pacific Islands. We found that the market wanted more flights out into the Pacific Rim. Our other Citation didn't quite have the range."

Pacific Jets is part of the Christchurch Helicopters Group and the new jet has been funded by the four owners of both businesses.

Pacific Jets was set up two years ago.

Managing director Nigel Walkington said customers were a mix of wealthy tourists and local business people.

The company had also been chartered to carry organs for transplants and for flying urgent parts for breakdowns around the Pacific.

The new jet has short take-off and landing requirements meaning it can fly into sealed airstrips in places such as Wanaka, Westport and Manapouri.

- NZPA