Mystery visitor jets in to Nelson

Mystery surrounds a flash private jet parked at Nelson Airport and who it brought to town.

The Bombardier BD-700 Global Express arrived in Nelson on Wednesday.

Nelson Airport Company chief executive Kaye McNabb said she did not know who was on the jet or who owned it. She said a booking was made about a fortnight ago for the jet to park at the airport, with the expected length of stay three or four days.

Mrs McNabb said often such private jets were registered under trusts so the owner remained secret.

The Nelson Mail asked several sources in the aviation sector, but none knew who owned the impressive BD-700, said to be an ultra-long range, high-speed corporate jet, typically seating between eight and 18 passengers.

There was speculation that the jet belonged to New Zealand's richest person, businessman Graeme Hart, who has a personal fortune estimated at NZ$8.8 billion.

However, internet searches suggest it is not his jet.

According to online encyclopedia Wikipedia, Mr Hart's "company vehicle" is a Bombardier BD-700 Global Express jet, owned by his company Rank Group through Wells Fargo bank, but it is registered N18WZ.

The craft at Nelson Airport is registered N57LE, and a search of the United States-based Federal Aviation Administration register sheds little light on who the owner is.

The aircraft, built in 2007, is also registered through Wells Fargo bank in Salt Lake City, United States.

- © Fairfax NZ News