A new ''interim'' plane for
Mainland Air would boost seat numbers on the Oamaru-Christchurch route, with
the company now eyeing up an even larger aircraft. The 10-seater twin-engine
Piper Chieftain (ZK-VIP) arrived to a traditional water cannon welcome at Dunedin International
Airport on Friday (20 June 2014). The 30-year-old aircraft, which was also used as an
executive plane in Hamilton, was sourced from Air West Cost for a ''fair
price'', Mainland Air owner/operator Philip Kean said. The Oamaru-Christchurch
route was currently serviced by a five passenger aircraft, but its popularity
resulted in the company buying ''this interim machine'', he said. ''I want to
make it really work with this one. And if that is the case we will move to a
14-seater, if the demand is there.'' He said the company also regularly flew to
Invercargill and Alexandra, but in regards to other potential routes, ‘‘there
is nothing else''. ''Oamaru-Christchurch is a good route and we have been asked
to do Christchurch-Wanaka, and Oamaru-Wellington.'' Mr Kean said Dunedin was
well serviced for domestic flights, and ‘‘you just can't compete''.
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| Piper Chieftain ZK-VIP at Invercargill on 2 July 2013 while on charter to Mainland Air |
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