Polynesian Blue

Infobox Airline
| airline = Polynesian Blue

logo_size = 160
IATA = DJ
ICAO = PBN
callsign = BLUEBIRD
founded = October, 2005
parent = Virgin Blue Holdings Limited
headquarters = Christchurch, New Zealand (Pacific Blue)
lounge = The Lounge
frequent_flyer= Velocity Rewards
key_people = John Bartlett, CEO
fleet_size = 6 (Operated by Pacific Blue)
destinations = 3
website = http://www.polynesianblue.com

Polynesian Blue is a Virgin Group airline, which flies between Samoa, Australia and New Zealand. It is 49% owned by the Samoa Government, and replaces the down-sized Polynesian Airlines, which ceased operating international jet services in 2005 and became an inter-island airline flying between Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga.

History

Virgin Blue signed an agreement with the Samoan government to operate a joint venture airline called Polynesian Blue. The announcement came after several months of detailed discussions between the two parties and involved the Samoan government and Virgin Blue joining forces to set up a new company to operate jet routes previously flown by Polynesian Airlines. The name Polynesian Blue is in keeping with the Virgin Blue family of brands, which also included Christchurch-based airline Pacific Blue. Its first flight was on October 31 2005 between Apia and Auckland, New Zealand and Sydney, Australia.

Polynesian Blue is 49% owned by the Samoan Government and 49% owned by ASX-listed Virgin Blue (AX: VBA). The remaining 2% is held by an independent Samoan shareholder, the owner/operator of Aggie Grey's Resort and Hotel. [http://www.polynesianblue.com/AboutUs/Media/NewsandPressReleases/P_003055.htm]

Pacific Blue changed its ICAO code from PBI to PBN, to prevent air traffic controllers confusing the I for a 1 in flight plans. With Polynesian Blue flights operated by Pacific Blue this also applies. The ICAO code PLB (Callsign: Polyblue) is currently reserved for the airline but not in use.

Destinations

As of May 2007, Polynesian Blue operates scheduled passenger flights to the following destinations: [ [http://www.polynesianblue.com/flightInfo/schedules/routemap/ Polynesian Blue Route Map] ]

*Australia
**Sydney (Sydney Airport)
**Brisbane (Brisbane Airport) Begins December 1, 2008
*New Zealand
**Auckland (Auckland Airport)
*Samoa
**Apia (Faleolo Airport)

Fleet

Polynesian Blue flights are operated by Pacific Blue aircraft. In October 2006, Pacific Blue had one of its aircraft painted in Polynesian Blue livery - the standard Virgin Blue red fuselage, a stylised palm tree on the tail, along with a Samoan Virgin girl flying the Samoan flag on the side of the nose. This aircraft registered ZK-PBF is named 'Tepu'itea'. This aircraft is sometimes used on Pacific Blue domestic routes within New Zealand.

References

External links

* [http://www.polynesianblue.com Polynesian Blue Website]