Origin, KLM to link

By CHRIS DANIELS aviation writer

Nelson-based Origin Pacific and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines have confirmed they will join forces.

Origin's general manager of sales and marketing, Ewan Wilson, said the agreement would provide international passengers travelling to and from New Zealand on KLM with an alternative carrier for domestic flights.

A relationship between Qantas and Origin is due to end in March, after Qantas decided to pull out.

Qantas said yesterday that it would start using its own jets on flights between Christchurch and Rotorua and Christchurch and Wellington from April 1.

From that date, Qantas will operate nearly 300 domestic flights a week.

The Christchurch flights were previously flown by Origin Pacific under a code-share arrangement.

Virgin Blue's New Zealand wing, Pacific Blue, will begin flying from its base in Christchurch next Thursday.

It has also been talking with Origin Pacific about linking flights.

Pacific Blue has yet to announce what its plans are in the Auckland market, one of the best-served regions in the country.

One of the issues it must address is the availability of space at Auckland's domestic terminal, particularly at peak commuter times.

In a submission to the Defence Force, which is looking at options for the future of the Whenuapai Air Base, Pacific Blue chief executive Tony Marks said it would be best to keep the site for commercial aviation.

"The issue, as with all airports throughout the world, is that it tends to be difficult to regulate a monopoly supplier of a service that impacts on the community as a whole ...

"Having a second airport [in Auckland] ensures a certain amount of price tension that would be far more effective than any regulatory policy," Marks said.

The Government is due to make a decision on the future of Whenuapai in April. The Waitakere City Council, in partnership with infrastructure investor Infratil, wants to develop a commercial airport at the site.

Many residents, and Auckland International Airport, say a second airport is unnecessary.