Air NZ to fly to Antarctica

[samh004]

Thought this would be mentioned here, but it wasn't. Or I'm blind. Or the search doesn't work well.

My neighbours son happens to be one of the pilots selected, and has been training for the better part of this year, using the simulators in Sydney. First flight is October 5th, and planned as a proving flight to see if there's any issues they might have next year when more regular services start.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully welcomed the partnership between Antarctica New Zealand and Air New Zealand. “This will fundamentally change our capability on the ice. Unlike the RNZAF 757s which currently fly to Antarctica, the Air New Zealand 767 can make a return trip without refuelling.”

New Zealand's flagship airline plans to fly planes to Antarctica that pilots would land on an ice runway.

But tourists wanting to travel to the frozen continent will need to keep their hopes in check. The chartered Air New Zealand flights would be for scientists and their support crews, and the airline said Tuesday it has no plans to begin commercial trips.

Air New Zealand plans to use one of its regular passenger jets for the Antarctic flights, a Boeing 767-300.

New Zealand airline plans Antarctic ice landings - Business - NZ Herald News

 

[anat0l]

Put a sticky note in the coughpit: "Watch out for the mountain!"

 

[markis10]

Put a sticky note in the coughpit: "Watch out for the mountain!"

Thats poor form.

 

[samh004]

Thats poor form.

I thought mentioning Erebus would be a bit much, though seems there's not much choice of runways, with all 3 (is NZIR still operational?) located next to Erebus.

 

[serfty]

Put a sticky note in the coughpit: "Watch out for the mountain!"

Sadly, that's poor taste ...

 

[anat0l]

Thats poor form.

Sadly, that's poor taste ...

At absolutely no disrespect to those who died in the crash, can I remind you both that this is the same airline whose management was responsible for the unnecessary deaths of all those involved, and took the better part of 30 years before formally acknowledging and apologising for their culpability in the incident?

And if anything for a stray left field comment, I think it - compounded by the nature of the airline's marred legacy - once again emphasises the imperative to not underestimate the risks of flying to and from Antarctica, especially near the NZ claim.

I realise that systematic changes have been made and great advances in processes and procedures have too been realised, but TE901 will never be forgotten, especially because apart from the last Swiss cheese hole which was due to Mother Nature, it was essentially was the fault of humans.

But apologies for those who have taken gross offence.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

But apologies for those who have taken gross offence.

I didn't take gross offence but I thought it was a rather unnecessary comment and agree with serfty, in very poor taste.

 

[kimjongun]

Please noted - this is Boeing not Erebus

 

[Catweazle]

Well all they need is a "Hilton Ross Ice Shelf" and then AirNZ can start taking commercial passengers too. :mrgreen: Or even for a few commercial passengers to get off in Antarctica, walk around, and then go back on the returning flight. Sounds like fun, but then I'm just dreaming again....

 

[Virgin Bart]

Please noted - this is Boeing not Erebus

I actually laughed out loud when reading this. Great call.