PRESS RELEASE
August 24, 2007 Christchurch, New Zealand:
The Kiwijet Airline Company Limited would like to applaud the announcement of Pacific Blue’s New Zealand’s domestic
services. A statement from Patrick L Weil, Chief Executive Officer:
I am extremely pleased with Thursday’s announcement of Pacific Blue’s entry of domestic services within New Zealand.
Good on you Mr. Godfrey for taking that first step and I wish you and your well qualified team all the success that is
due.
This entry into the domestic market just vindicates Kiwijet’s original concept when we approached Qantas to acquire the
Jet Connect operation back in May as well as claims that Kiwijet had plagiarized the national carrier’s low cost plan. I
am curious to see what that plan will be on Tuesday when they release their annual statement, and just how much money
they are willing to spend for that plan.
At that time we were ridiculed with an endless parade negative comments from so called aviation experts those incomes
are dependant on the national carrier. They claimed that our concept was “pie in the sky”. Where were those so called
experts on Thursday morning? In fact, the same so called experts or financial analysts that have no airline industry
experience whatsoever seem to have taken an about-face on the matter. I trust that the media will take very seriously
any and all proposals put forward by existing or start-up airlines, in the future, without bias including Kiwijet. I
would like to thank the true aviation and media reporters that have not been afraid to report the facts on Kiwijet’s
development, and I salute you for standing up to the national carrier’s stranglehold on the press.
As a result of the news the only route that will be taken off the table was a service planned between Christchurch and
Wellington with six daily return departures. The aircraft that was planned for that route will be redeployed to increase
frequencies between the nine cities that we plan to serve.
Now all New Zealanders and visitors alike will enjoy a level playing field as it relates to airline services in this
great land.
Kiwijet’s plans have not changed except for the one route between CHC and WLG. We feel that Pacific Blue will provide a
good service and value in that market just as QF had done before.
We can now focus on brining all jet service to the regions where the highest air fares in the country are still in play;
we plan to shake that tree as well by making all of New Zealand affordable to all air travelers.
It is important to point out that Kiwijet is not seeking or soliciting any incentives for the selection of routes or
cities. The cities that we plan to serve all have demonstrated strong sector growth and will support our business model.
Our door is open to all airlines serving New Zealand to contact us regarding our planned operations as our routes will
only enhance their offerings with excellent connections and all jet service where it didn’t exist before.
I realize that these are exciting times and New Zealanders and visitors alike can’t wait to get affordable airfares to
the entire country.
Please be patient as this is a monumental task and we want to get it right from the start, and we embrace the
competition.
Cities to be served: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Nelson, Palmerston North, Tauranga,
Wellington.
I look forward to introducing the company and its team members to the public in November with media events in
Christchurch and Auckland outlining our plans with a flight demonstration of the EMBRAER ERJ 145 LR for official members
of the media.
Cheers
Patrick Liam Weil
Chief Executive Officer
ends