New Zealand's Origin Pacific Airways introduces three Jetstream 32EPs

BAE SYSTEMS Regional Aircraft announced today further details of its J32EP deal with New Zealand's Origin Pacific Airways.

The Nelson-based airline, which operates as a New Zealand domestic partner to Qantas Airways, already operates five 29-seat Jetstream 41 aircraft and three 19-seat Jetstream 31s.

Origin Pacific is the largest operator of Jetstreams in the Australasian region, and one of only two carriers to operate all three marques of this aircraft type.

The first of the aircraft from the latest order was delivered to Origin Pacific in September and has now commenced scheduled operations from the airline's central New Zealand base.

The two remaining Jetstream 32EP aircraft will be delivered to Origin Pacific later this month, for use on new routes, and to help increase capacity in some existing markets.

The three Jetstream 32EPs will join the five Jetstream 41s enrolled in the BAE SYSTEMS Material and Component Repair and Overhaul programme. 

The founder and Managing Director of Origin Pacific Airways, Robert Inglis, said the Jetstream family had proved very popular with passengers on New Zealand regional routes, and very cost effective for the airline to operate.

"The Jetstream 31 and 32 series aircraft have a head-height cabin - the most spacious of any aircraft in the 19-seat market - and this provides an exceptional level of comfort for passengers," said Mr Inglis.

"These aircraft are also the perfect size for some of the regional routes we operate or wish to operate, and are an excellent vehicle for developing routes prior to introducing larger types such as the Jetstream 41."

BAE SYSTEMS Director of Sales and Leasing David Ropper said the placement of another three Jetstreams with Origin Pacific Airways demonstrated that this aircraft type was ideally suited not just to Origin's requirements but to the unusual New Zealand market, which is characterised by many short to medium haul provincial routes.

"These aircraft have the range and the performance characteristics to perform flawlessly on short to medium length routes," said Ropper, "and the Origin Pacific network is textbook territory for these aircraft."