A remanufactured business jet with state-of-the-art engines and avionics for what is claimed to be 40% the price of a new aircraft of the same type is the impetus behind Nextant Aerospace’s Beechjet 400XT program.

While the operating conditions in New Zealand are similar to those in North America, operators must resign themselves to paying for everything — all forms of aviation infrastructure. Here are some sample fees, all converted to U.S. dollars: Typical Landing Fees at Auckland International Airport Global Express/G550 $455.70 Falcon 900 $166.20 Challenger 604 $163.00 Typical Navigation Charges, Airways Corp. of New Zealand, Global Express, Sydney to Auckland En route Oceanic $508.82

Auckland’s Air Center One executive FBO was founded by former air traffic controller and regional airline and long-distance ferry pilot Robin Leach. “In the early ’80s, I saw a need for business aircraft support, as there was little available in the country,” Leach told BCA. “We set up the FBO at Auckland International Airport [NZAA] in 1984 and did a great business until the 1987 economic downturn, after which the aircraft disappeared overnight.”