After four years of operating its services through charter agreements with other certificated airlines, Originair (Nelson, NZ) secured its NZCAR Part 125 Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority (NZCAA) on November 29.
"We are very pleased to receive our Air Operator's Certificate as this provides a sound foundation for our future and security for our customers," Originair's Chief Executive Officer Robert Inglis said. "It's now time to base the next phase of operational development on our own Air Operator's Certificate."
According to the New Zealand aircraft register, Originair currently has just one Jetstream 31, namely ZK-JSH (msn 838), on its books. "Initially we will be operating ZK-JSH on our services with plans to add additional aircraft in the coming months," said a company manager.
The Nelson, NZ-based regional carrier has had to temporarily suspend its flights to New Plymouth, one of its two remaining scheduled domestic services, as its operations had been impacted by Jetstar Airways' decision to withdraw its services at the airport. The two carriers had shared the same handling company, Swissport, which is terminating its services at New Plymouth at the end of November.
