Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:17 pmOzJet - the airline that turned its back on Palmerston North three days before it was to launch trans- Tasman flights - is planning to visit the city.
OzJet chief executive Willie O'Neill said last night the airline was acquiring two 737 aircraft and, when that was finalised, he would contact Palmerston North International Airport chief executive Garry Goodman to arrange a visit.
A regular passenger service was "very much on the agenda", Mr O'Neill said.
He also indicated the airline was negotiating with the Manawatu Jets basketball franchise, which OzJet had planned to sponsor before the airline pulled its trans-Tasman launch in March.
Having disrupted the travel arrangements of thousands of people, OzJet can expect a frosty, at best luke-warm, reception from Manawatu. Mr O'Neill said he hoped to mend fences.
OzJet cancelled the launch when previous owner Paul Stoddart made it clear he wanted out.
Mr Stoddart sold his 97.4 percent share of the company to Sydney- based HeavyLift Cargo Airlines in May.
Airline management cast Mr Stoddart as the villain behind the cancelled launch, but the airline had also been slow to sort out its paperwork in the months beforehand.
Mr O'Neill suggested OzJet would have to show more intent than any other airline for the airport to take it seriously.
Mr Goodman has previously indicated he could not be associated with a repeat performance.
Mr O'Neill said immediately after the ownership change that plans to fly in and out of Palmerston North could be revived.
Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor said his door would be open if Mr O'Neill wanted to have a chat.
"It would seem like a long shot to me, but I'd be interested to hear what he had to say."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatustandard/4711016a6502.html
OzJet chief executive Willie O'Neill said last night the airline was acquiring two 737 aircraft and, when that was finalised, he would contact Palmerston North International Airport chief executive Garry Goodman to arrange a visit.
A regular passenger service was "very much on the agenda", Mr O'Neill said.
He also indicated the airline was negotiating with the Manawatu Jets basketball franchise, which OzJet had planned to sponsor before the airline pulled its trans-Tasman launch in March.
Having disrupted the travel arrangements of thousands of people, OzJet can expect a frosty, at best luke-warm, reception from Manawatu. Mr O'Neill said he hoped to mend fences.
OzJet cancelled the launch when previous owner Paul Stoddart made it clear he wanted out.
Mr Stoddart sold his 97.4 percent share of the company to Sydney- based HeavyLift Cargo Airlines in May.
Airline management cast Mr Stoddart as the villain behind the cancelled launch, but the airline had also been slow to sort out its paperwork in the months beforehand.
Mr O'Neill suggested OzJet would have to show more intent than any other airline for the airport to take it seriously.
Mr Goodman has previously indicated he could not be associated with a repeat performance.
Mr O'Neill said immediately after the ownership change that plans to fly in and out of Palmerston North could be revived.
Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor said his door would be open if Mr O'Neill wanted to have a chat.
"It would seem like a long shot to me, but I'd be interested to hear what he had to say."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatustandard/4711016a6502.html