M-OVIE around the Pacific

Hampshire Aviation's UK based Gulfstream G650 M-OVIE was spotted earlier this month around the Pacific and Australia. 

The 650 arrived at the Cook Islands paradise destination of Aitutaki on 05 April 2019 from Easter Island via a brief stop at Rarotonga and flew onto Port Vila three days later. From there M-OVIE headed to Cairns 09 April and went onto visit Kununuarra and Perth before departing the latter 14 April destined for Farnborough via a brief techstop at Abu Dhabi/Bateen. 

M-OVIE arrives Rarotonga, E Smith photo

Air New Zealand Deliveries

In the last few days Air New Zealand has taken delivery of three brand new aircraft - two Airbus A320NEO's and an ATR72-600.

The first to arrive was ATR72-600 ZK-MVX MSN 1551 (ex F-WWEH).

 It touched down at Christchurch at 1836 09 April 2019 concluding its delivery flight to Mount Cook Airline. The aircraft, flown by ferry company Southern Cross International as SXI1921, originated from Toulouse and staged via Trabazon, Muscat, Colombo, Subang, Bali, Darwin and Brisbane.
It entered service 18 April as NZ5368 from Christchurch to Wellington, then conducted a Hamilton return as NZ5826/5827. 

Next to arrive was Airbus A320NEO ZK-NHC MSN 8833 (ex F-WWDE). 

It also arrived at Christchurch 09 April 2019 touching down at 2110 as ANZ6096. This aircraft is the first Air New Zealand Airbus NEO to be constructed at the manufacturer's Toulouse facility from where it commenced its delivery flight with stops at Muscat, Kuala Lumpur and Cairns.
It entered service 19 April as NZ807 from Christchurch to Brisbane, returning to Christchurch as NZ806. 

The third arrival was Airbus A320NEO ZK-NHB MSN 8803 (ex D-AUBU). 

It arrived at Christchurch 12 April 2019 touching down at 2146 as ANZ6097 and its delivery started from Finkenwerder with stops at Muscat, Kuala Lumpur and Cairns.
It entered service 18 April as NZ805 from Christchurch to Brisbane, returning to Christchurch as NZ804. 

Airbus A321NEO ZK-NNE MSN 8799 (currently registered D-AVZF) conducted its first flight as AIB799A on 10 April 2019 with a second flight carried out 12 April. 

Airbus A320 ZK-OJA, withdrawn from service in early February 2019, flew a 2HR 24MIN flight from/to Christchurch 12 April 2019 as ANZ6239. It was deregistered 17 April 2019 to become
F-WTDG and under its new markings as callsign departed 18 April for Cairns and Kuala Lumpur. 

Fiji Airways leases Miami Air Boeing 737-800 N739MA

Fiji Airways has wet leased Miami Air International Boeing 737-800 N739MA to provide capacity shortfalls created by the global grounding of all Boeing 737 MAX series aircraft of which Fiji Airways operates two -8 series.

http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/pacific-and-oceania/fiji-airways-leases-boeing-737-800-from-miami-air/

N739MA was delivered to Nadi 10 April 2019 as BSK555 arriving from Miami via Oakland, Honolulu (night stop) and Apia. It entered service 13 April 2019 as FJ451 from Nadi to Christchurch, returning north as FJ450.

Thanks to one of our many Canterbury contributor's for these shots.

It then went on to visit Auckland during the early hours of 14 April 2019, and then an afternoon visit the same day.

Corporate Corner - March 2019 - Update 13 April 2019

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp Gulfstream G650ER N650GA MSN 6344 arrived at Wellington 01 March 2019 direct from Spokane/WA after just under 14HR 30MIN flight time. It then headed to Queenstown 05 March. From Queenstown to Auckland and onward to Spokane/WA 08 March. 

Squadron Aviation Falcon 7X VP-BAS arrived at Auckland 01 March 2019 from Easter Island. It departed 08 March destined for Tokyo/Haneda. 

Linfox Challenger 650 VH-LEF flew from Christchurch to Queenstown and Essendon 01 March 2019. 

And it was a busy start to the month for the local jet population. (all noted 01 March 2019)

Rank's Gulfstream G650ER N66ZG arrived home to Auckland just on sunrise direct from Los Angeles. BC Aviation Challenger 604 VH-BLM departed Auckland for Queenstown. Pacific Jets Falcon 2000 ZK-OCB also made its way to Queenstown from Christchurch. SoundsAir/Bob Jones Citationjet CJ3+ ZK-RJZ flew from Wellington to Auckland and back. Skyline Aviation's Citation Sovereign ZK-RXD made its way from Napier to Kerikeri and Auckland. Skyline's other Napier based jet, Citation Mustang ZK-YDZ, flew from Napier to Wellington. Skyline's Nextant 400 ZK-NXJ flew from Auckland to Christchurch and back. .  Catley Aviation Falcon 50EX N115MF crossed the Tasman with a trip from Wellington to Essendon. And Avwest PTY Global Express N599CH arrived at Queenstown from Melbourne and then continued to Christchurch. 

Brenzil PTY Falcon 7X VH-CRW flew from Napier to Auckland and back 02 March 2019. It then made the short flight from Napier to Taupo 14 March. From Taupo to Auckland, Sydney and Bankstown 18 March. From Sydney to Queenstown and Brisbane 29 March. 

Marcplan Embraer Legacy VH-VLT departed Auckland 02 March 2019 for Dunedin and Essendon. From Essendon to Auckland and Brisbane 24 March.  

Kayne Andersen Capital Gulfstream G650 N801KF departed Queenstown 02 March 2019 for Auckland. It departed Auckland for Los Angeles and Burbank 22 March. 

Flight Management Corp Gulfstream 5 N85V departed Queenstown 02 March 2019 for Papeete.

Charles R Schwabb Gulfstream G650 N898CH arrived in Auckland 03 March 2019 from Kona as TWY650. It departed on return to Kona 09 March. 

Cox Aviation Gulfstream G650 N1040 arrived at Rotorua 03 March 2019 from Maui and Auckland. It then flew from Rotorua to Queenstown 07 March. From Queenstown to Napier 15 March then onto Auckland 18 March.  From Auckland to Maui 22 March.  First visit to NZ. 

Execujet Asia Gulfstream G650 VP-CJR departed Christchurch 03 March 2019 for Queenstown and Auckland. It departed during the early hours of 12 March destined for Hangzhou. It returned to Auckland 14 March from Hangzhou.  

Vistajet Global Express 9H-VJV departed Wellington 03 March 2019 for Honolulu. 

Avcair PTY Learjet 60 VH-ILJ visited Queenstown 04 March 2019 arriving from Brisbane and departing for Sydney. 

Dassault Aviation demonstrator Falcon 8X F-GCDP arrived in Auckland 04 March 2019 from Melbourne. It flew onto Napier 05 March and then from Napier to Auckland and Jakarta/Halim 06 March. 

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12209778

Boggy Creek Aviation/Textron Aviation Cessna Citation CJ3+ N46LW arrived in Queenstown 06 March 2019 from Essendon. It then conducted a demonstration flight from/to Queenstown 07 March before making its way to Napier then onto Auckland. It departed early afternoon 10 March heading for Sydney. It then flew to Cairns 12 March. To Darwin and Surabaya 13 March.   First visit to NZ. 

SG Aviation Global Express VH-SGA arrived at Auckland late 06 March 2019 from Perth. It departed the following day for Essendon. 

K5 Aviation Global Express D-ARKO arrived at Auckland 07 March 2019 from Narita as KAY55. It departed for Kansai 13 March. 

Bairline Citation X OE-HUB departed Auckland mid morning 08 March 2019 destined for Merauke/ID and Hong Kong. 

Saban Music Group/Global Reach 18 Gulfstream G650 N451CS arrived in Auckland 08 March 2019 direct from Van Nuys/CA. It departed 12 March for Sydney then direct to Los Angeles 14 March.  First visit to NZ.  

Tradlux S.A./Echo Aviation Citation 550 N28SP arrived in Christchurch 08 March 2019 from Moorabbin and Essendon. It then flew onto Auckland 10 March.  From Auckland to Melbourne 11 March. It then flew from Essendon to Noumea 14 March. First visit to NZ of this European based jet. 

Lifeflight Challenger 604 VH-URR arrived in Wellington late 08 March 2019 from Brisbane and Tonga. It departed the following day on return to Brisbane. It returned to Wellington 20 March, arriving from and returning to Brisbane. 

Noumea Renting Citationjet CJ3 F-ONCP visited Auckland 09 March 2019 arriving from Magenta and Nadi then departing for Noumea. 

Squadron Aviation Falcon 8X VQ-BFD concluded its Auckland visit and departed 09 March 2019 for Seoul/Incheon.

Jet Asia Challenger 605 N880HK touched down at Queenstown 11 March 2019 from Macau via a nocturnal techstop in Darwin. It departed late 12 March for Darwin and Macau.  The aircraft last visited NZ in May 2012.

Elk Mountain Ventures LLC Gulfstream G300 N349K arrived at Napier mid afternoon 14 March 2019 from Bora Bora and Papeete. Onward to Christchurch 16 March then to Queenstown 18 March. From Queenstown to Pago Pago and Maui 22 March.   First visit to NZ.

Remorex PTY Global Express N888GX arrived at Christchurch 16 March 2019 from Sydney and  departed late 17 March on return to Sydney.

Netjets Global Express N152QS arrived at Queenstown 17 March 2019 from Teterboro/NJ via Honolulu. It departed on return to Honolulu 18 March. It returned to NZ 24 March arriving at Wellington from Boeing Field/WA and Honolulu. It departed 26 March for Queenstown and Honolulu.

Flightpath Charter Airways Global Express C-GXMP arrived at Auckland 17 March 2019 from Opa Locka/FL via Honolulu marking its first visit to NZ. It departed Auckland 28 March for Taupo and Queenstown then on the last day of the month flew from Queenstown to Papeete and Opa Locka/FL.

Alexier Ltd Gulfstream G650 N188W arrived at Auckland 17 March 2019 from Sydney having arrived there 15 March from Singapore/Seletar. It departed for Port Moresby 18 March and was noted flight from Lae to Singapore/Seletar 19 March.  First visit to NZ.

Air Tiger 1 LLC brand new Global Express (6000 series) N188HS arrived at Auckland 18 March 2019 from John F Kennedy/NY via Honolulu as EJM838 (construction number 6838). It then flew onto Napier 25 March. From Napier to Honolulu and Teterboro/NJ 30 March.

Air Tiger 1 LLC has been a regular contributor to the NZ aviation scene with their Gulfstream 5 N50KC which appears to have been "retired" from operation and has N50KU reserved.

Execujet Australia Global Express VH-YAI arrived at Auckland 18 March 2019 from Sydney and returned to Sydney the following afternoon.

Independent Aviation Sdn Global 5000 N933ML arrived at Dunedin 18 March 2019 from Melbourne. It departed 20 March heading to Nadi.

Jetcity Learjet 45 VH-LJX visited Auckland early on the morning of 21 March 2019, arriving from Essendon and departing for Sydney.

Beluga Charter Company Global Express VH-LBU arrived in Wellington 21 March 2019 from Sydney marking its first visit to NZ since being re-registered from N889JA. It departed for Christchurch, Auckland and Sydney 23 March. From Sydney to Auckland 28 March returning to Sydney 29 March.

Government of Kuwait Gulfstream G650 9K-GGD arrived at Christchurch late 21 March 2019 from Kuwait City via Perth as KUG59. It departed for Bangkok 24 March. First visit to NZ.

Netjets Global Express N148QS arrived at Auckland 23 March 2019 from San Francisco/CA via Honolulu and Wellington. It departed 25 March on a direct flight to San Francisco.

Netjets Global Express N146QS arrived at Wellington 24 March 2019 from Boeing Field/WA via Honolulu. It departed for Canberra 26 March.

Thorondor LLC Gulfstream G550 N878DB arrived at Wellington 25 March 2019 from Los Angeles via Honolulu and Auckland as TWY878. On 29 March it flew from Wellington to Auckland, Hamilton and back to Wellington.

Aramco Boeing 767-200 N767A arrived at Christchurch 28 March 2019 from Riyadh via Perth. It departed the following day for Perth and Riyadh.

Anadarko Petroleum Gulfstream G550 N257A arrived at Napier 28 March 2019 from Bora Bora and Papeete. It had arrived at Bora Bora 24 March from San Diego via Papeete. It departed Napier for Nadi 30 March then on to Pudong 01 April. First visit to NZ by this aircraft.

Hawker 800XPi PK-YGR arrived at Dunedin 30 March 2019 from Melbourne on a medical retrieval flight. It departed 31 March for Adelaide and Lombok/IN. First visit to NZ.

Executive Airlines Citation Sovereign VH-EXG arrived at Queenstown 30 March 2019 from Essendon and Wellington.

Samoa Airways - Updated 12 April 2019

The wet-lease arrangement between Samoa Airways and  Italian carrier Neos concluded at the end of March and Boeing 737-800 I-NEOS departed Apia 01 April 2019 as NOS1 for Port Moresby and Phu Quoc/Vietnam and arrived at Verona via Colombo and Al Maktoum the next day. 

Samoa Airways entered into a wet-lease arrangement with Malaysian carrier Malindo Air and Boeing 737-800 9M-LNW arrived at Apia during the early hours of 04 April from Bali and Brisbane.

It entered service 06 April flying two Apia-Auckland-Apia returns. 

Thanks to Daniel Talbot for these shots of 9M-LNW arriving Auckland 07 April. 

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Posted 24 March 2019:

On 17 January 2019 Samoa Airways, in conjunction with Air Lease Corporation, announced the plans to lease a Boeing 737-9max to replace the wet leased Neos Boeing 737-800 I-NEOS. The MAX9 was quickly identified as MSN 43339 built on order to now defunct carrier Primera and allocated the registration N910BA. The airliner, configured to carry 189 passengers (16 business and 173 economy), was repainted in full Samoa Airways livery and registered DQ-TFL from early March 2019 on an operational arrangement with Fiji Airways who operate two Boeing 737-8MAX aircraft. 

https://samoaairways.com/aircraft-upgrade-in-the-works/

Unfortunately, following the fatal crashes of two Boeing 737-8MAX aircraft and a global grounding of the MAX fleet, Samoa Airways announced 22 March 2019 that they would no longer be taking delivery of DQ-TFL and are now urgently looking to extend the lease of I-NEOS or source a replacement aircraft - before month's end...

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/385302/samoa-rules-out-leasing-a-new-boeing-737-max-9-aircraft

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Posted 15 November 2017: 

Samoa Airways commenced scheduled operations 14 November 2017 with its first flight from Apia/Faleolo to Auckland as OL731/PAO731 - radio callsign "Polynesia 731". Their sole Boeing 737-800 I-NEOS touched down at Auckland a little late at 1045 with vantage points around the airport brimming with NZ based Samoan wellwishers creating road traffic issues on the arterial routes to the airport! The outbound flight, OL732, was also delayed and the Boeing was airborne at 1211 heading back to Apia. 

I-NEOS short finals for Auckland's runway 23L 14 November 2017. 

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Posted 10 November 2017:

With just a few days before the commencement of services, Samoa Airways has taken delivery of their Boeing 737-800 with the arrival of -86N(WL) I-NEOS MSN 32733. The 186 seat jet has most recently been operated by Italian airline Neos and was withdrawn from service in October before heading to Ostrava, Czech Republic where it was repainted into Samoa Airways livery. 

Photo via Samoa Airways Facebook page

I-NEOS, operating as NOS8738 (radio callsign Moonflower), is set to arrive Western Samoa's Apia/Faleolo International Airport mid morning 11 November 2017 from Muscat, Singapore and Cairns. 

Allocated the IATA airline code OL, Samoa Airways will operate 6 weekly services from Apia to Auckland and 2 flights per week to Sydney. The first flight is scheduled to arrive into Auckland 14 November 2017 at 1015 and depart at 1110. 

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Posted 27 August 2017

Samoa Airways future plans have recently received media coverage ahead of their planned November launch.

NZ Herald details the planned days of operation

Australian Aviation article

The Boeing 737 mentioned may well be a newly leased aircraft via Icelandair Group's Loftleidir who already provide the type to Air Niugini

http://www.loftleidir.com/fleet/

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Posted 17 August 2017 

Samoa Airways, set to begin operations in November this year, has reached an arrangement with Icelandair Group to lease a Boeing 737 however a quick online search clearly shows the carrier does not actually have the type in their inventory, so perhaps we will see an ex Air New Zealand Boeing 767-300 on the run!

http://www.icelandair.us/information/about-icelandair/our-fleet/

The announcement, made 17 August by the Samoan Prime Minister, said the airline would start with one aircraft flying from Apia to Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney and stated the three routes fitted perfectly into the airline's partnership with Fiji Airways. 

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Posted 28 June 2017 

The decade long agreement between Virgin Australia and the Samoan Government to provide air services to the island nation operating as Virgin Samoa will conclude in the middle of November this year. The joint venture is being terminated at the request of the Government who have been behind the reinvention of Polynesian Airlines to establish a national flag carrier. 

http://www.blueswandaily.com/analysis/new-samoan-airline-to-take-over-virgin-samoa-routes-with-potential-assistance-from-fiji-airways/

https://fijisun.com.fj/2017/06/24/how-fiji-airways-will-benefit-from-samoa-govt-air-deal/

Boeing 737-800 VH-YID was chosen to represent Virgin Samoa and was christened "Tapu Itea"
http://www.aussieairliners.org/b-737/vh-yid/vhyid.html

HNZ New Zealand Squirrels deployed with KOPRI

Two HNZ New Zealand AS350B2 Squirrels have been on a summer expedition to Antarctica deployed on the Korean Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) icebreaker RV "Araon". 

ZK-HDB and ZK-HNR were extracted from the vessel's hangar on 24 March 2019 while docked at the Port of Lyttleton. 

Matthew Bevan timed a visit to the port perfectly to catch their departures.