Reaching new heights

THIS year, Polynesian Airlines is con solidating its activities following the completion of an 18-month expansion programme. The airline will continue to be available to do charters which currently include 107 Trans-Tasman flights to secondary airports in Auckland, New Zealand; Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne flights into Invercargill; Bris bane flights into Hamilton and Auckland flights into Townsville. These charters will operate from this month to October this year.

Polynesian Airlines will also operate eight charters between Apia and Nagoya next month and in August. Polynesian Airlines has had a 12-month introduc tion of the Boeing 767 service and is now aware of the market variations and changes. The United States market is now the largest market for Polynesian Airlines with Australia and New Zealand competing for second position and West ern Samoa holding fourth.

Polynesian Airlines plans to consoli date the gains made in various markets and intends to continue efforts to reduce costs and increase yields. Revenues are

currently running at three times the last financial year and passenger numbers have also increased by the same amount.

Staffing numbers have only increased by

15 per cent. It is intended that this level

Polynesian Airlines plans to consolidate the gains made in various markets and intends to continue efforts to reduce costs and increase yields.

Revenues are running at three times the last financial year and passenger numbers have risen by the same amount.

will be maintained and more sophisti cated computers used to cope with the workload. Productivity per staff member has risen dramatically as a result.

Average yields over the last nine months have increaseed by 30 per cent

and the passenger-seat-kilometres flown have increased by 300 per cent. The average load factor in the past nine months rose by 15 per cent and is now running at 58 per cent.

Access to the US market has improved dramatically as has the inter-island flow, thus improving the viability of connect ing services between islands. This is particularly vital for the development of Pacific Island co-operation, trade and communications. Polynesian Airlines’ fo cus is regional rather than national in nature.

In the interim period, the airline has also welcomed Royal Tongan Airlines aboard and has commenced training Royal Tongan fight attendants to enable them to become part of Polynesian Airlines crew. This welcome partnership will improve transport links for both countries.

An additional service Wellington to Melbourne has commenced and Polynesia Airlines looks forward to providing this service to Pacific

Islanders living in the lower half of the North Island of New Zealand and the South Island. The withdrawal of Conti nental Airlines and the increased de mand for stop-over tourist traffic will assist the aspirations of island nations in

developing tourism.

Polynesian Airlines foresees some stab ility in Pacific Island markets with South Pacific carriers providing the bulk of transport needs into and through the region. Fuel savings have been achieved at major ports. However, in the island nation ports, it is noticeable that despite the downward trend in fuel prices worldwide, prices have remained firm because of the monopoly position en

joyed by the fuel suppliers.

The airline feels there is a need for governments to ensure that vital trans port links are supplied at as low a cost as possible.

Freight revenue for Polynesia Airlines continues to remain strong and has increased dramatically in the last year despite reductions in scheduled cargo capacity. The backlogs of freight which have been common prior to the introduc tion of the Boeing 737 QC (Quick Change) cargo aircraft are no longer apparent.

This has assisted in the development of

manufacturing through the ability to immediately and readily transport goods and, of course, the ability to meet the short term needs of the nations. This added flexibility has enhanced Western Samoa as a nation for investment.

Polynesian Airlines secures 90 per cent of its revenue offshore. This is in sharp contrast to 12 months ago when seven

The airline expects that as the US economy continues to move out of the recession, passenger numbers and yields will increase. As New Zealand continues to solidify gains made in the last three years, it expects to see improvements out of there.

per cent of its revenue was secured offshore. The introduction of the Boeing 737 in the first quarter of the 1993/1994 financial year (July to June) saw rev enues increase 225 per cent. In the second quarter, revenues were up 300 per cent and the third quarter was greater again. The fourth quarter has started

with a higher seat load factor while yield and passenger numbers continue to increase. So Polynesian Airlines is very confident about the airline’s performance in the fourth quarter.

Polynesian Airlines expects that as the US economy continues to move out of the current recession, passenger numbers and yields will increase. As New Zealand continues to solidify gains made in the last three years, the airline expects to see improvements out of there.

As Australia improves as well, Poly nesian Airlines expects to see Australia become its second major market after the US with overall increases of 400 to 500 per certt. In the last 12 months, Poly nesian Airlines has taken advantage of trading opportunities created by in creased free market access to New Zealand. This has enabled Polynesian Airlines to provide greater frequency to its core markets.

In its cost cutting exercises, Polynesian Airlines has selected a replacement Boeing 767 for the current Boeing 767.

This has realised savings of 50 per cent on lease charges and additional savings on maintenance and pilots costs.

These savings will be translated into very profitable operations for the airline. □