Airways New Zealand Expands Export Base

27 January 2005

New Zealand's 2003 Services Exporter of the Year, Airways New Zealand, has continued to build upon its export success in 2004, with the demand for the State Owned Enterprise's air navigation services and technology products continuing to grow.

Late last year Airways New Zealand signed a contract to complete an Air Traffic Management Strategic Plan for the Irish Aviation Authority. Airways is leading a team in partnership with French company, Sofreavia, to develop the business model which will facilitate management of that airspace, says Airways New Zealand's Chief Executive, Ashley Smout.

"This is an opportunity to develop an Air Traffic Management Strategic Plan for a country which has seen the success of the Airways example and looked to us to reorganise their business for the future," says Mr Smout.

Work has also continued offshore with FedEx, which includes maintenance management advice and the installation of new navigation aids at its busy Subic Bay regional hub.

Airways New Zealand considers strategic partnerships as pivotal in achieving its growth goals. Airways is working with MITRE Corporation - another large US company - working in Taiwan as part of the consultancy team on the Taiwan Aeronautical Telecommunications Systems Modernisation Programme.

"We have also developed a further partnership with the Thales group of companies to provide engineering and technical services to them worldwide. This work has involved undertaking site surveys, design and installation activities and maintenance and training - in countries including United Arab Emirates, Korea, Germany, Turkey, and the US among others."

Airways New Zealand is continuing its work in the US for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) where its people are involved in preparing FAA controllers for the shift to its new Oceanic air traffic management system based on the system Airways has been operating in Auckland for a number of years. Involving both technical instructors and Air Traffic Controllers, Airways staff are earning the praise of both its customer Lockheed Martin and their customer the FAA, for their expertise and dedication.

A State Owned Enterprise since 1987, Mr Smout says Airways New Zealand's biggest competitive advantage in the global marketplace is the experience it has gained from operating in a commercial environment.

"We have spent the last 17 years improving on air traffic management processes and we are now recognised as one of the leading air navigation service providers in the world."

In 2003 Airways New Zealand was also awarded the prestigious Eagle Award by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for the quality of its services and its value for money to its customer airlines. Mr Smout says this global recognition has increased the awareness of the skills and commercial approach Airways New Zealand brings to the air navigation services industry.

"We think like our customers because we've been there and done it before. We can offer them an integrated service package and a long-term partnership approach, which our competitors don't. We are also price competitive."

Mr Smout says Airways New Zealand's goal continues to be a key player in global air navigation services, and by 2008 is aiming to achieve annual exports of $35 million, over 23% of all sales. Major export markets are currently the US and the Pacific region with the company focusing on increasing market share in Asia and the Middle East in particular.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Corporate Communications Manager Ph: (04) 04 471 1888
Email: nikki.hawkey@airways.co.nz

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