New Zealand approves EK/QF tie up trans tasman for 5 years

[markis10]

The government has given the green light to an agreement between Qantas and Emirates, opening the way to shared services between the airlines on transtasman routes.
Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee said the "Master Coordination Agreement" would bring benefits to airline passengers, exporters and the tourism sector.
Travel agents have been frustrated at the delay in approving the deal which got the green light in Australia six weeks ago. The agreement will allow the airlines to better co-ordinate their services to New Zealand destinations and allow passengers to benefit from each of the carriers' frequent flyer schemes. It also opens up the possibility of new routes being developed with Auckland-Adelaide and Auckland-Perth possibilities.

Qantas, Emirates partnership gets the nod - Business - NZ Herald News

 

[samh004]

I'm sure Emirates would be happy to add ZQN connections, unless they somehow do already?

 

[serfty]

I'm sure Emirates would be happy to add ZQN connections, unless they somehow do already?

Although they could probably fly to/from Queenstown, I'm not sure RPT with the EK widebodies would be financially succesful.

 

[MarcB]

Hmmm...so do we think Brisbane will finally see an A380 with onward service to AKL like EK do with SYD and MEL?

 

[markis10]

Hmmm...so do we think Brisbane will finally see an A380 with onward service to AKL like EK do with SYD and MEL?

Onward service unlikely, however the A380 is due in Oct.

 

[Ansett]

Woooohoooo

Wonder how long before I can book An FASA

Want to try that Shower at 38000 feet

 

[ozmille]

Woooohoooo

Wonder how long before I can book An FASA

Want to try that Shower at 38000 feet

This will make premium travel across the ditch a lot better!

 

[Ansett]

This will make premium travel across the ditch a lot better!

It will sure as hell beat the cough out of a poxiee 737 Not my favourite aircraft by a long way Bring on the Big Birds

 

[markis10]

Woooohoooo

Wonder how long before I can book An FASA

Want to try that Shower at 38000 feet

FWIW EK F can be booked as a classic award one way BKK to HKG for 35000 points

 

[serfty]

This will make premium travel across the ditch a lot better!

... and maybe more expensive ... but that's life ...

 

[MarcB]

Onward service unlikely, however the A380 is due in Oct.

Really? I must have missed that announcement.

 

[markis10]

Really? I must have missed that announcement.

Due, not announced

 

[ozmille]

... and maybe more expensive ... but that's life ...

I'm optimistic... or naive :shock:

 

[MarcB]

Due, not announced

Ah, I see. Will certainly improve the proposition for ex-BNE QF flyers who want an A380 over the 777. May I ask where you got the heads up?

 

[docjames]

Although they could probably fly to/from Queenstown, I'm not sure RPT with the EK widebodies would be financially succesful.

Financially successful, or physically possible? I didint think ZQN would take a 777? Or a 330 for that matter.

 

[asg29e]

Financially successful, or physically possible? I didint think ZQN would take a 777? Or a 330 for that matter.

Correct. From the ZQN master plan:
Design Aircraft
At present, the largest aircraft size that regularly operates at Queenstown Airport is the B737-300, which is classified as a Code 4C aircraft. These are operated by Qantas and Air New Zealand on domestic and international services with seating capacities varying between 114 and 136. As it is not possible to safely operate Code D size aircraft (B767/A310) at Queenstown Airport due to terrain and runway length constraints, it has been accepted that the airport will be limited to the operation of Code C type aircraft. The critical planning dimensions for current and future aircraft types expected to operate at Queenstown Airport are: Table 3.1 Design Aircraft Aircraft Length (m) A320-1/200 37.57 B737-300 33.40 B737-700 33.64 B737-800 39.48 ATR72 27.17 Wingspan (m) 33.91 28.88 35.80 35.80 27.05 Expected aircraft types to be used in the foreseeable future by the various airlines include: Air New Zealand A320 International 146 seats Domestic 136+ seats Pacific Blue B737-700 International 144 seats Domestic 144 seats Qantas, Pacific Blue B737-800 International Domestic 168 - 180 seats 168 - 180 seats From the above aircraft types, the B737-800 has the largest wingspan of 35.8m with an overall length of 39.48m and has been adopted as the design aircraft for Queenstown Airport Master Plan

 

[lovestotravel]

Correct. From the ZQN master plan:
Design Aircraft
At present, the largest aircraft size that regularly operates at Queenstown Airport is the B737-300, which is classified as a Code 4C aircraft. These are operated by Qantas and Air New Zealand on domestic and international services with seating capacities varying between 114 and 136. As it is not possible to safely operate Code D size aircraft (B767/A310) at Queenstown Airport due to terrain and runway length constraints, it has been accepted that the airport will be limited to the operation of Code C type aircraft. The critical planning dimensions for current and future aircraft types expected to operate at Queenstown Airport are: Table 3.1 Design Aircraft Aircraft Length (m) A320-1/200 37.57 B737-300 33.40 B737-700 33.64 B737-800 39.48 ATR72 27.17 Wingspan (m) 33.91 28.88 35.80 35.80 27.05 Expected aircraft types to be used in the foreseeable future by the various airlines include: Air New Zealand A320 International 146 seats Domestic 136+ seats Pacific Blue B737-700 International 144 seats Domestic 144 seats Qantas, Pacific Blue B737-800 International Domestic 168 - 180 seats 168 - 180 seats From the above aircraft types, the B737-800 has the largest wingspan of 35.8m with an overall length of 39.48m and has been adopted as the design aircraft for Queenstown Airport Master Plan

That is pretty old as 737-800's have been flying to ZQN for years......

 

[asg29e]

That is pretty old as 737-800's have been flying to ZQN for years......

Yes, about 2004 I think. But as far as I am aware it is still the current thinking. Happy to be corrected.

 

[markis10]

Ah, I see. Will certainly improve the proposition for ex-BNE QF flyers who want an A380 over the 777. May I ask where you got the heads up?

Heard it from a number of sources and happened to ask about it in DXB with the EK folks where they would not deny it, its subject to equipment deliveries which seem to be picking up given they have 33 big birds as of this week.

 

[MarcB]

Heard it from a number of sources and happened to ask about it in DXB with the EK folks where they would not deny it, its subject to equipment deliveries which seem to be picking up given they have 33 big birds as of this week.

Makes sense - Brisbane is crying out for an A380.