Bit of history set to jet off

Tauranga's first international passenger flight - full of Norfolk Island holidaymakers - is getting ready to take off in less than three months.
The historic moment, on Good Friday morning, will be created by Shane Kennedy's House of Travel Tauranga, which is chartering an 84-seater Air National whisper jet (BAe 146-200) for three nights on the castaway Norfolk Island.
"It's something different," said Mr Kennedy. "We've had mystery Lear jets landing here but there hasn't been a commercial jet departure from Tauranga Airport.
"We are always looking for new ways of making travel fun and easy to do. Norfolk Island is a favourite for Kiwis and it fits in well for a four-day Easter holiday."
Instead of trudging to Auckland for the 1h 50m international flight, the holidaymakers can skip into the Tauranga Airport terminal and land on Norfolk Island about half-an-hour later - it is one-and-half hours behind NZ time.
The group will be flown back to Auckland on Easter Monday because of biosecurity requirements and will be transported in two coaches to Tauranga.
"By flying direct out of Tauranga, rather than having to go to Auckland, everyone will be able to get on with their holiday straightaway. It's less hassle," Mr Kennedy said.
"I'm sure it will appeal to different types of people - including those who want to be part of history (inaugural international flight)."
House of Travel Tauranga, which won the Tauranga Regional Business innovation award in 2005 and retail excellence last year, has been operating domestic chartered flights for four years.
The company has filled Boeing 737s for the Steamers' Ranfurly Shield rugby challenge in Christchurch, the Bay of Plenty Magic's netball final in Invercargill, IRB rugby sevens in Wellington, and the Warbirds over Wanaka after flying to Queenstown.
"It gave us the confidence to extend our service and go international - though it's rather complex to organise," said Mr Kennedy.
Aviation security staff from Auckland will be at the Tauranga terminal on the morning of the Norfolk Island flight to screen luggage, using the X-ray machine from Port of Tauranga.
Passport control is also being arranged through aviation security and the airport management will keep the international passengers separate from domestic travellers and they will board the chartered jet through a different door in the terminal.
Ray Dumble, Tauranga Airport manager, said: "We did the (terminal) extensions with big jet charters in mind. I think it's a goer - there could be charters once a month. It's not difficult to set the terminal up.
"It makes a lot of sense. Why drive to Auckland and back or pay two extra air fares to get to Norfolk Island? Flying direct out of Tauranga is the icing on the cake."
Mr Kennedy said depending on the success of the first trip, he would look at other South Pacific destinations including Australia. "Maybe we could do three or four a year."
Seats are still available on the Norfolk Island flight, and, all up, the four-day holiday - including accommodation, transfers and airport taxes - costs $1299 per person.
The holidaymakers will be presented with a certificate to mark the first commercial international flight out of Tauranga.