Masterton Service still a goer

Efforts to re-establish an air link between Masterton and Auckland are still alive, local backers say, despite the company behind it going into liquidation. The Vincent Aviation bid for the service, backed by several local businessmen, struck turbulence last month when the company went into liquidation. Air New Zealand axed its weekday service earlier this year. In August, Masterton District Council accepted a proposal from Vincent Aviation to operate weekday flights using a 34-seater Saab aircraft from mid-November. An alternative proposal, from Air Chathams, to use a 19-seater was also considered but Vincent Aviation won after a presentation from director Peter Vincent, who now has a home in Wairarapa. But one of the businessmen leading the charge, David Borman, said the air service was still very much a goer. He said there was still work to be done but he was hopeful of a start-up early next year. Peter Vincent said yesterday he believes the air service can and will happen. Air New Zealand proved that even with a relatively "mediocre service" there was a demand for daily flights to Auckland. He believes that the bigger Saab aircraft, and not the 19-seater Metroliner proposed by Air Chathams, was the better option. Sourcing a Saab is not a problem, he says. "I believe that there is a strong ability to put together something to meet the needs for a replacement air service," he says. There is no denying Vincent Aviation had gone, he said, brought down by the failure of the Australian arm of the business, but it had survived for 24 years with an "absolutely clean record" with the Civil Aviation Authority. "We are capable and very keen to do something with that air service, but what it is going to take is a financial commitment from local people to underwrite the service and cover any losses through an inevitable establishment phase." With uncertainty surrounding the Vincent bid, Masterton District Council chief executive Pim Borren says council is investigating other options, one being Air Chathams. "It is vital for the local economy that we have an air link with Auckland in the future and we will continue to work to make that happen," Borren says. Regional tourism promoter Destination Wairarapa director David Hancock said having an air service was "an absolute must"  for DW to expand the Auckland market. Conference business from Auckland which Destination Wairarapa had pitched for had been pulled because people could not fly in, he said. Peter Vincent says Air New Zealand proved that even with a relatively "mediocre service" there was a demand for daily flights to Auckland. He believes that the bigger Saab aircraft, and not the 19-seater Metroliner proposed by Air Chathams, was the better option. Sourcing a Saab is not a problem, he says.

Source : http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/63121923/Wairarapa-Auckland-link-needs-support