[ad_1]
The scheduled passenger flights between Wānaka and Christchurch will provide a morale boost for the central city of Otago, says the mayor.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult watched the first Sounds Air flight take off on Monday morning and said regular return services were great for businessmen and for bringing tourists to the city.
“Hopefully we get more [tourists] We will be back soon, ”he said, referring to the sharp decrease in international visitors since the borders were closed due to covid-19.
Sounds Air CEO Andrew Crawford said he had been planning the service for more than two years and was delighted it was taking off.
READ MORE:
* Sounds Air confirms November start date for Christchurch to Wanaka service
* Christchurch Airport Central Otago Expansion Plan New International Option
* Passenger flights between Wānaka and Christchurch could start in September
Supplied
Sounds Air’s scheduled maiden flight prepares to depart Wānaka for Christchurch.
“The reaction over the weekend has been incredible. People were absolutely raving about how great it was, “he said.
All three flights in the nine-seat Pilatus PC12 turboprop aircraft on the first day were full, he said.
He was confident that the flights would prove profitable, despite the fact that a previous Air New Zealand service, operated by its subsidiary Eagle Air, was canceled in 2013 because they failed to make a profit.
“They were flying in the middle of the day. You have to do the morning and evening to provide service to the New Zealand region, ”he said.
He anticipated that clients would include tourists, business people and those traveling for medical reasons.
“There is not much in Central Otago, so people from Wanaka who want treatment often go to Christchurch. The same goes for Blenheim [residents]. “
There were some opening specials for the $ 119 45-minute flights, but the usual cost would be between $ 159 and $ 279.
There was at least one person booked on each of the flights scheduled this week and some flights were already full, he said.
Sounds Air’s ground operations manager Renee Kiri said there was a lot of excitement on the first flight and a small ceremony to see him off.
“We have been waiting so long to get to this point. It’s a great moment. “
Supplied
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean reserved a seat on the inaugural flight from Wānaka to Christchurch Sounds Air.
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean booked a seat on the inaugural flight and said it was a great opportunity for her to travel between Wānaka and Wellington, via Christchurch.
Service would be great for the area, he said.
“At a time when the lack of international tourists is causing problems for local businesses, any extra money that comes in through domestic travelers is very welcome.”
She encouraged local people to support him.
Crawford said the company was unfazed by the controversy over plans to allow planes to land in Wānaka, which resulted in a community group taking a court review against the owner of the Wānaka airport, the Queenstown Lakes District Council. and the airport operator Queenstown Airport Corporation.
The judge’s decision has been reserved.
Crawford said a poll commissioned in June showed 90 percent support for the flight out of 3,600 respondents.
In the same month, the company became the first company to receive support under the Essential Aviation Transportation Connectivity Package, which had allocated $ 30 million from the $ 600 million Aviation Assistance Package.
