Originair (Nelson, NZ) has been forced to change operators for its regional operation linking Nelson, NZ, Palmerston North and Wellington. Being a virtual operator without an own air operators certificate, its Jetstream 31 and Jetstream 32 have so far been operated by Air Freight NZ (TFR, Auckland International).
New Zealand's civil aviation authority has put restrictions on the operating certificate of Air Freight NZ prohibiting it from operating the scheduled services on behalf of Originair temporarily while the CAA investigates "safety concerns".
Mark Troughear, the general manager of Fieldair Engineering, Air Freight NZ's parent, has told stuff.co.nz that no other commercial Air Freight NZ operations have been affected by the temporary limits put on its operating certificate.
Originair has meanwhile been forced to charter two Metroliners from Airwork Flight Operations (AWK, Auckland International) to continue operations. The virtual carrier hopes to also move its Jetstream 31 and Jetstream 32 to Airwork's AOC in due course.
