Resurrected Origin spreading its wings

Origin Pacific has a wide network of regional routes and is looking to expand them. Picture / Wanganui Chronicle

Two years after nearly going out of business, regional airline Origin Pacific is expanding again.

The airline yesterday unveiled plans to launch a Tauranga-to-Christchurch service in June.

Passenger services general manager David Collier said the move signalled a renewed focus on building services around the country.

Nelson-based Origin Pacific staved off bankruptcy in May 2004 by sacking 93 staff and dramatically cutting back its services.

It was bailed out by mortgage broking millionaire Mike Pero, who bought a 25 per cent stake and took a seat on the board.

Pero stood down from the board last year saying he was confident the airline was a viable business again.

"It's certainly taken us a couple of years to rebuild," Collier said.

"We came through those financial woes and we're a much stronger airline for it. We run a much smarter and more efficient operation than we ever did."

If the new route proved successful, the airline planned to look at other destinations out of Tauranga and service out of other regional centres such as Taupo.

Collier said several regions were courting Origin Pacific.

The airline aims to take advantage of routes that are not well serviced by Air New Zealand.

"The places we don't fly to get a gun held to their head in terms of airfares," Collier said.

Origin Pacific already flies out of several regional centres including Wanganui, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Napier, Nelson and Blenheim.

The Tauranga route was being launched after consultation with the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce which had done a study to establish demand.

"It seemed an obvious fit," Collier said. "This is New Zealand's fastest growing region out of Auckland and yet the only direct connections were with Wellington and Auckland."

Having to make connecting flights was making it difficult for people doing business to get there and back in a day.

An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said the airline did not comment on the plans of its competitors.

But she said Air NZ did not propose to introduce non-stop services from Tauranga to Christchurch at this stage "although the route may be considered at a later date". Q300 aircraft would be introduced on the Tauranga-Wellington route next year.