The 2 remaining ATR42 aircraft within the Croatia Airlines fleet operating under the names of Dalmacija and Istra have completed their last flights for the airline. One of the ATR42s under registration 9A-CTT (pictured above) operating under the name Damacija carried out its last flight from Munich to Zagreb (flights number OU437) while the other ATR42, Istra, operated its last flights by taking off from Podgorica and heeding to Zagreb. The two aircraft became part of the Croatia Airlines fleet in June 1993, while the third ATR entered the fleet May 1995 and left in November last year. The ATR fleet has in total transported 2.195.500 passengers for Croatia Airlines.

The turboprop aircraft will now be replaced with the incoming Dash 8-Q400s. Croatia Airlines has 2 aircraft of this type already in the fleet with the latest entering service on August 1, 2008. Another two Dash 8s will be delivered during 2009 while additional 2 will be delivered the year after in 2010. The Croatia Airlines fleet now consists of 4 Airbus A320s, 4 Airbus A319s and 2 Dash 8-Q400s with the average fleet age amounting to 9 years.

On 30-10-2008 I photographed these two helicopters at Kaikoura.
Above is Robinson R22 Beta ZK-HJJ2 c/n 2249 at the Kaikoura airstrip south of town. This was a Skysales import in late 1992 which served with Garden City Helicopters until late January 1997 when it moved to Nelson with Wilkins & Field Developments Ltd. On 01-03-2003 it was listed to Coast to Coast Helicopters at Nelson. It is currently resident at Muzzle Station among the Kaikoura Ranges with the Nimmo's.

At the Kaikoura Railway Station was Robinson R44 Raven II ZK-HLD5 c/n 12261 in its definitive paint scheme. First registered to Skysales on 16-06-08 and to Kaikoura Helicopters on 14-07-08.

This trailer, presumably a promotional tool, was noted at North Shore Airfield on 16-03-2008.
Any one know the identity of this aircraft ?

The development strategy which outlines Jat’s expansion within the next 4 years and strategies on how to decrease costs has been adopted by the Government of Serbia although there have been some changes to the original plan. The government has given the green light for various Jat offices to be sold around the world including some of its main offices in Belgrade. Although the Serbian Prime Minister was initially against this he made a compromise causing anger amongst Jat’s management and workers who are against the major sell off. The government hopes that Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport will buy up Jat’s property and will allow Jat to continue operating in them as it has done so far. However the sell off will not provide the finances for the creation of a payment plan for the 800 workers that will lose their jobs in the company as well as the purchase of new aircraft.

By November 15 the Serbian national carrier will have to provide a list of all properties that are not essential for the airline. The properties will be sold by December 15, 2008. The government has ordered Belgrade Airport, the Serbian Petroleum Industry and Serbian Air Control write off any debt that Jat owes to them.

Officials have warned that if the development strategy is not implemented soon Jat will be seriously hurt by a handful of airlines that will begin services to Belgrade in summer 2009, including 2 low cost airlines. More news about these airlines and plans will be published on the blog within the few days.

NOTE: Soon a careful analysis of unserved destinations that could be profitable and successful from major airports in the EX-YU republics, with statistics and potential passenger flow numbers included will be published on the blog starting with Zagreb Airport this week.

My first sighting of ZK-HGQ4 at Christchurch on Friday 31-10-08. Robinson R22 Beta , c/n 1438 , was built with the manufacturers test registration of N40030 before delivery to Peru as OB-1632P in September 1995. As such it arrived in Nelson in the last week of August 2003 and was stored before becoming ZK-HYT3 on 07-12-07 for Tim Douglas-Clifford.
Rick Lucas Helicopters (Helipro) of Palmerston North became the listed owners from 14-03-08.
This pic shows ZK-HYT3 at Heli-Maintenance, Christchurch on 28-11-07 - before becoming officially registered.

Earlier - 01-03-2007 to be precise - Rick Lucus registered a Kawasaki BK117 B-1 , c/n 1030 , as ZK-HGQ3 , ex JA9941.

Pic above shows the BK117 B-1 JA9941 coming together to be ZK-HGQ3 at Palmerston North on 11-02-07.

Whats all this leading up to ?

For reasons unknown to me, Rick wanted the BK117 registerd as ZK-HYT and the Robinson to be ZK-HGQ. To do this the Robinson was re-registered as ZK-IIZ on 13-05-08 very briefly, thusly freeing up the ZK-HYT marks, then the BK117 took up these vacated marks;. Once that was done the Robinson then moved to take up the freed up ZK-HGQ marks.

..

Aero L-29 ZK-JRF , c/n 892851, was observed today in the rear of the Wairakei Holdings hangar at the western side of Christchurch Airport.

Compared with others of its type in NZ that I have observed, this is a really tidy unit.

It is stored in John's hangar along with his EC 120 ZK-IFR.

It has been registered in NZ since 30-10-2007. Previously being #2851 with the Czech military.

It will shortly be joined by the NA78 Harvard ZK-XSA, which is moving in from Forest Field.

The tidy office has many "Western" instruments.

....

On Wednesday October 29, the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina officially named Turkish Airlines as the new strategic partner of the national B&H Airlines marking the end to a successful privatisation. The media had reported earlier in the month that Turkish had won the bid, contested by another 2 companies. Transport and Communications Minister Nail Seckanović stated that "Turkish Airlines was ranked the best among those which submitted bids and we are starting negotiations on the contract details". Needing to be negotiated is the percentage of ownership Turkey’s national carrier will receive. The government of Bosnia is selling 49% however Turkish Airlines officials are pushing for a majority 51% stake in the airline. These details should be refined in the upcoming talks. Malaysia's Comintel Corporation and a Jordanian consortium that included Royal Jordanian Airlines were among companies that made binding bids. However the government gave the Jordanian consortium a mark of 32.20 (out of a possible 100) for the bid while Comintel was out ruled due to the fact that it did not deliver all necessary documentation. The Turkish carrier received a mark of 82.50. B&H Airlines has 2 passenger aircraft and controls a very small portion of the Bosnian aviation market. Turkish Airlines is obliged to provide at least one 100 seat aircraft to the Bosnian national carrier within the next few months.