Origin tackles Air NZ routes

By CHRIS DANIELS

Origin Pacific, the Nelson-based provincial airline, is moving onto the main trunk air routes, but swears it is not about to "take on" Air NZ.

Origin will soon reveal details of more flights, with bigger planes between Auckland and Wellington.

Flights in the morning and evening are expected to be taken by Origin's existing travellers, while passengers flying during the middle of the day will be more likely to be flying one leg of an international trip.

Royal Dutch Airlines, KLM, signed a deal with Origin last month, where its passengers will fly on Origin planes while in New Zealand. It also means that New Zealanders buying a ticket to Europe, for instance with KLM, will fly to Auckland on Origin aircraft.

Fares on the Origin main trunk flights will be comparable to those of Air NZ and Qantas - around $120 one way.

The airline will use its two ATR 72 aircraft, that can carry 64 passengers. These planes were previously leased by Origin to Qantas.

Origin general manager of sales and marketing Ewan Wilson said the airline had been talking to other airlines, looking to set up a similar relationship to that enjoyed with KLM.

Details of new deals would be announced soon.

The airline also wanted to increase its cargo operation, as the ATR aircraft had good freight capacity.

A country the size of New Zealand probably justified one and a half airlines, said Wilson, with Origin quite happy "to be the half".

"We're not trying to take on Air New Zealand. You don't take on a Government-funded airline and win. Origin's all about doing what it does well and ensuring that we keep them honest."

The Origin move comes at an interesting time for New Zealand aviation, with Pacific Blue, the local arm of Australia's Virgin Blue, now flying the Tasman.

Qantas, which formerly used Origin to fly some of its passengers, is now using its own planes on many routes.

Qantas and Air NZ are still taking legal action to gain regulatory approval for their failed scheme to join forces in an alliance.