NEW ZEALAND’S ORIGIN PACIFIC AIRWAYS TO INTRODUCE JETSTREAM 41 AIRCRAFT

Origin Pacific Airways, the independent airline which introduced BAE SYSTEMS Jetstream 31 aircraft into New Zealand skies, is now preparing to introduce the country’s first Jetstream 41s. Origin Pacific will acquire two Jetstream 41s initially and has plans to exercise options for additional units next year. The deal has been brokered by the aircraft trading arm of BAE SYSTEMS Aircraft Services Group.

With the first aircraft entering service at the end of December, the 30-seat Jetstream 41s will be used to provide additional capacity as Origin Pacific again expands its operations. The airline operates a regional network and provides code share services with New Zealand domestic services operated by Qantas Airways.

The acquisition will make Origin Pacific, based at Nelson in New Zealand’s South Island, the largest single operator of Jetstream aircraft in the Asia Pacific region and the only operator of both the Jetstream 31 and the larger Jetstream 41 variant in this part of the world.

“The Jetstream 41 is fast, comfortable and ideal for the New Zealand market, which is characterised by a large number of provincial routes requiring frequent service with small to medium sized airliners,” said Origin Pacific’s founder and managing director, Robert Inglis.

“Origin Pacific has successfully developed a range of routes with 19-seat Jetstream 31 aircraft, which are popular with our passengers,” said Mr. Inglis. “The Jetstream 41 is a natural progression to accommodate both increased market demand and our expansion plans”.

“We identified the Jetstream 41s as being the ideal aircraft for Origin Pacific, with whom we have a long and strong association. We then brokered the deal for these particular aircraft on behalf of their owner, the IMP Group of Halifax, Canada,” said David Ropper, BAE SYSTEMS Aircraft Services Group Director of Sales for Asia Pacific.

As part of the acquisition of the Jetstream 41s, Origin Pacific has also signed for the BAE SYSTEMS MACRO (Maintenance and Component Repair and Overhaul) programme. This will provide Origin Pacific - on a power-by-the-hour basis - with both repair and overhaul of components and a stock of essential spare parts in its own maintenance facility. In addition, Origin Pacific will have access to a pool of rotable parts held by BAE SYSTEMS.

This system provides full maintenance support and enables the company to avoid the time-consuming task of sourcing parts or quotes for repairs from external suppliers. In addition, a range of support services will be provided for the Origin Pacific Jetstream 41s through the BAE SYSTEMS Asia Pacific Region Customer Support Centre, which is located close to Sydney International Airport, less than three hours flying time from New Zealand.

Origin Pacific was launched in 1997 with three Jetstream 31s. These were used initially to fly between Nelson and a number of South Island provincial ports which previously had less frequent or no service at all. After a period of steady growth the carrier now operates eight aircraft, including its three Jetstream 31s, on 326 sectors each week.

About BAE SYSTEMS:

BAE SYSTEMS is the truly global systems, defence and aerospace company. BAE SYSTEMS employs more than 100,000 people and has annual sales of some £12 billion. The company offers a global capability in air, sea, land and space with a world-class prime contracting ability supported by a range of key skills. BAE SYSTEMS designs and manufactures civil and military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, guided weapon systems and a range of other defence products.