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Kiwijet progress report update

Thursday 4 October 2007, 12:59PM

By kiwijet

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The British Aerospace (BAE) RJ-100 (ARJ)
The British Aerospace (BAE) RJ-100 (ARJ) Credit: BAE Systems Asset
Inside the British Aerospace (BAE) RJ-100 (ARJ)
Inside the British Aerospace (BAE) RJ-100 (ARJ) Credit: BAE Systems Asset
kiwijet Chief Executive Patrick Weil
kiwijet Chief Executive Patrick Weil Credit: kiwijet

Kiwijet has selected the British Aerospace AVRO RJ-100 Regional jet for domestic services beginning in late 2008 (Estimated).


A team of Kiwijet staff was dispatched to the United Kingdom on September 16, 2007 to inspect four BAE RJ-100 regional jets for consideration. These aircraft have all of the right characteristics to operate to nearly all of the airports in New Zealand.


We are now committed to launching the airline with these four aircraft in late 2008 and perhaps two BAE 146-200 QT Freighters for domestic cargo operations. The RJ-100 and BAE 146-200 are currently operating throughout the region, especially in Australia. We are in the process of working in cooperation with an airline that operates the type and has the ability to carryout maintenance and flight crew training as well as providing additional support functions to launch Kiwijet as scheduled in late 2008.


The BAE RJ-100 is an updated version of the BAE 146-200 with 51 operators and 268 aircraft in service worldwide including the RAF’s Royal Flight for Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II. In Australia BAE Systems maintains a regional office in Sydney and for that reason, we feel extremely confident with their commitment to support the aircraft in the region. These aircraft can easily be approved by the NZCAA for certification in short order since the BAE 146-200 had been previously certified in the country when it was operated by Ansett NZ and the differences are just documentation issues.


These versatile aircraft are well suited for the challenging climate of the country. It has the ability of operating in near zero visibility conditions such as fog with Category 3 (CAT III) capabilities that will greatly reduce the chance of being diverted to another airport because of adverse weather conditions. We have planned for that contingency as well. With 90 seats we will be able to offer a full service low cost product to a wide range of guests and bring low fare all jet service to all of the regions for the first time. The AVRO RJ-100 features all the comforts of a narrowbody jet airliner with 2 lavatories. We will be offering 5 across seating with 31 inch seat pitch and large overhead lockers. You get all of this without having to open your wallet while onboard ever including wine and beer.


During our visit to London our Chief Executive Patrick Weil attended the World Low Cost Airlines Congress and met with airline officials from across the globe as well as the two major Australian carriers. He felt that the Kiwijet plan was well received and he pledged to avoid direct competition with them and create a schedule that compliments their offerings from Christchurch and Auckland as well as other airlines that do not have ties with the national carrier. During this event Mr. Weil had an opportunity visit with the development team from Radixx our internet booking provider to go over details of our web site and operations functions of the system.


After London we were in Los Angeles to report our progress to the equity group and we were extended seed funding that will carry us through until the New Year. At that time we will complete due diligence for our capitalization of thirty five million US dollars.


We are extremely confidant that our plan has momentum and we have chosen the right aircraft to bring a true low cost all jet offering to the regions for the first time. A simple two tier pricing scheme will be offered with ‘Peak’ and ‘Off Peak’ fares. ‘Peak’ fares will be offered between 0800 – 1800 Mon-Fri and ‘Off Peak’ before 0800 and after 1800 Mon – Fri and all day Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. Other promotions will be offered such as ‘Fly Free on Your Birthday’ and other specials. Kiwijet will always honor your ticket not like the national carrier’s policy of “use it or lose it”. We understand that sometimes your plans change and we will accommodate you on another flight for a small change fee. The RJ-100 allows us to offer our honored guests 30 kilos of free baggage as well.


When Kiwijet launches its operations in late 2008 we plan to introduce the company to the traveling public by offering the first 48 hours of operations free of charge on a first come first served basis billed as “Fly us before you Buy us” we reckon that’s a good way to say hello to our honored guests and let people see that Kiwijet will be the first choice of airlines in New Zealand.


Cities to be served initially: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Nelson and Palmerston North



Our web site will be active in December at www.kiwijet.net  

Please feel free to contact us via email at kiwijet@bellsouth.net  

For additional information on Radixx Systems please visit www.radixx.com  

For additional information on Optymise search marketing please visit www.optymise.co.nz  

For additional information on The AVRO RJ-100 Regional jet please visit www.regional-services.com