While low-cost airline Jetstar may be a tempting option for travellers in and out of Queenstown, Air New Zealand says having 18 aircraft fitted with advanced navigation technology could work in its favour, at least until September.
Confirming that number yesterday, Air New Zealand said introducing Required Navigation Performance (RNP) to six of its 737s two years ago had been so successful - with "disruption savings" estimated at just under $3 million in the past two years - the technology had now been extended to the airline's A320 aircraft.
RNP enables specially trained pilots to fly to lower altitudes with a more precise route into the airport, helping reduce the impact of bad weather on services. It is particularly useful in Queenstown during the winter months.
Air New Zealand airline operations general manager Captain David Morgan said RNP had been used to assist domestic jet arrivals and departures into Queenstown more than 2100 times.
Without the use of RNP, at least 150 services would have been cancelled, significantly delayed or diverted, Capt Morgan said.
"In the past two weeks, we've used RNP around 50 times, enabling at least 15 flights that would previously have been disrupted by the wintry weather. [Thursday's] inclement weather conditions required the use of RNP, which enabled us to get our customers into and out of Queenstown unhindered."
Capt Morgan said the RNP disruption savings took into account environmental, fuel and operational benefits.
The technology had been "invaluable" for the airline's domestic services and he expected transtasman customers would welcome the increased reliability this year.
"The introduction of RNP on to our A320s means Australian customers will be able to rely on Air New Zealand flights arriving and departing as scheduled with fewer weather-related disruptions."
Capt Morgan said Queenstown was "one of New Zealand's most challenging airports" due to its mountainous terrain, wnd pilots were required to have special training to fly in and out of the area.
Air New Zealand 737 fleet manager Captain Mark Owens, who regularly flies jet services into Queenstown, said about 80 Air New Zealand pilots were now trained in RNP.
Pilots coveted the chance to fly into the resort because of its unique terrain, and RNP enhanced the experience for the customers and the crew.
"RNP technology both improves operational efficiency and enhances safety, while delivering big benefits to our customers.
"In the depths of winter, it's really pleasing for us to know that because of RNP, we're more likely to succeed in our mission to deliver our customers to their holiday destination."
Qantas does not yet have RNP technology on its New Zealand flights, but representatives of the airline have previously said it is committed to installing it.
Qantas did not return calls from the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
Its low-cost subsidiary, Jetstar, expects to have RNP technology on its planes by May or June next year.
Opposition low-cost airline Pacific Blue, due to launch its services to Queenstown in September, does have the technology fitted.
