Jets an option for Hawke's Bay but props best Fyfe

Jets could land at Hawke's Bay Airport if Air New Zealand and new partner Virgin Australia look at expanding their trans-tasman flights, CEO Rob Fyfe said in Hastings last night.
Mr Fyfe, in town to talk at last night's Mayoral Leadership Summit, said while there was always talk about high airfares in and out of the region, fares had reduced by 10 per cent in the last year. "We've seen a 12 per cent increase in flights out of Hawke's Bay and we're very pleased with that."
When asked about the runway extension now being completed, he said turboprop planes, rather than jets, were a better option for the region because it allowed Air New Zealand to run 58 flights between Hawke's Bay and Auckland every week.
Jets carried more passengers but would mean just 16 services a week. "The benefit of smaller aircraft is a lot more frequency so people can travel when they want."
However, as Air New Zealand developed its deal with Virgin Australia to share services across the Tasman there may be room to expand to other airports. "It will take us a little time to determine, but there may be room for services to places such as Napier."
The airline's recent decision to cancel its membership with the Employers and Manufacturers Association was not a sudden decision, he said. The announcement came after EMA chief executive Alasdair Thompson said women were paid less because they took monthly sick leave because of their periods.
"We were reviewing our membership to see whether we felt the organisation was able to represent our views and we came to the conclusion that it didn't," Mr Fyfe said. "The latest just cemented that decision. Air New Zealand has a very strong commitment to pay equality and a strong belief that our female employees are as productive as our male employees."
In a speech to more than 200 people about leadership, Mr Fyfe described turning Air New Zealand around from a company with disillusioned staff, a poor business model and under-investment. Incorporating the "Kiwi personality" into their identity, they were the first airline to turn safety videos into a "form of entertainment", he said.
The evening was part of local Leadership Week events and was the second annual summit. Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said the council had asked Mr Fyfe to speak last year but he was not available. "He's followed through on his promise to come this year," Mr Yule said. "In my view he's one of the most exceptional CEOs of the past decade."
Leadership Week culminates tomorrow with national Red Socks Day to celebrate one of the country's greatest sporting successes, Sir Peter Blake. Official red socks and pins are available from the Hastings District Council.
Proceeds go to the Sir Peter Blake Trust.