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Post by beagle on Dec 16, 2014 17:42:20 GMT 12
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Post by beagle on Dec 16, 2014 17:44:01 GMT 12
Ewan Wilson, the founder of failed mid-1990s Kiwi Travel International Airlines, is eyeing up investors to take on at least some of the regional air routes being abandoned by Air New Zealand, with the principals of imported used car dealers 2 Cheap Cars the first to put up their hands.
A name for the company, Kiwi Regional Airlines, has been accepted by the Companies Office, but as yet has no details, including directors, have been listed and it so far has no website.
Wilson is not listed as a director or shareholder of any other New Zealand companies
Wilson was banned from being a director for five years after four fraud convictions following the collapse of Hamilton-based Kiwi Air after it collapsed in 1996 under the weight of competition from Air New Zealand subsidiaries Freedom Air, now defunct, and Mt Cook Airlines and logistical problems created by his leased aircraft being too often fog-bound at Hamilton airport.
2 Cheap Cars chief executive Eugene Williams told BusinessDesk his company's investment in the venture would be "substantial" but would not comment on the size of his intended shareholding, saying Wilson was negotiating with other potential investors "related to tourism in New Zealand."
His role would be "giving advice on marketing."
While he could not comment on the type or ownership of aircraft the airline might use, he said it would not be competing with scenic flight operators and would seek to appeal to "the business traveller who doesn't want to fly in a single engine Cessna."
He expected KRA to be operating in 2016 "with further consortium partners being announced soon."
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Post by Bruce on Dec 16, 2014 18:44:45 GMT 12
While he could not comment on the type or ownership of aircraft the airline might use, he said it would not be competing with scenic flight operators and would seek to appeal to "the business traveller who doesn't want to fly in a single engine Cessna." Pity, a single engined Cessna (C208 Caravan) would be just the right size for many of the sectors he's planning.... Still, Ewan is an "Aviation Expert"(tm) so must know what he is doing... |
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Post by scrooge on Dec 16, 2014 19:22:53 GMT 12
I suspect that that comment is part of EW "Aviation Expert"(tm)'s sales pitch to investors, given Sounds Air have a Caravan based in W(h)anganui and most other commentators have suggested the load factors and distances of the other routes AirNZ have pulled out of suit the Caravan.
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Post by baronbeeza on Dec 16, 2014 20:00:29 GMT 12
Can we run a sweep on how long this kind of talk will continue..... someone has to lose interest in the 'dreams' sooner rather than later.
In the meantime some of the less informed about will start believing this as a viable option.
I would hate to see some serious contenders have issues generated by a 'player'.
I understand Westport has two or three possibilities already, at least they are in talks with a number of interested parties.
What next ? Is Kim Schmidt about to announce he is buying a 757 or similar for the scheme ?
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