Kiwi announces new air connections from Tauranga direct to Nelson and Dunedin. Kiwi Regional Airlines has announced a new twice-weekly direct air connection for Bay of Plenty residents to Nelson, with the service also connecting on to Dunedin one day a week. From 15th February, Kiwi will fly on a Tuesday Dunedin-Nelson-Tauranga and return, on a 'same plane' service with a brief 25-minute stop in Nelson for passengers travelling between Dunedin and Tauranga, or vice-versa. On Saturdays, Kiwi will operate a Nelson-Tauranga-Nelson return service around the middle of the day. Tickets from Tauranga-Nelson direct will be priced very competitively, starting from $99 one-way, while Tauranga-Dunedin tickets will start at $169. Bookings for the flights are open now. Kiwi CEO Ewan Wilson said "the airline's first month of operation has taught us a lot about regional New Zealand's travel preferences. There is a high proportion of our passengers 'visiting family and friends' , and with the Bay of Plenty's population around the quarter million mark, there are a lot of family connections between this area and the South Island. The direct flights to Nelson make it much easier for both leisure and corporate travellers wanting to avoid lengthy and tiring stops in the expensive Wellington and Auckland airports." Mr Wilson said his airline's executive "had considered other North Island connections such as Hawkes Bay and Taranaki, but a combination of lack of facilities and the high Bay of Plenty potential had tipped the balance Tauranga's way. We are also aware that other larger airlines have ignored the air travel needs of Bay of Plenty residents, either missing them entirely, or forcing them to travel through Auckland and Wellington to get anywhere. Our region to region Dunedin-Nelson-Hamilton flights have been successful right from the start, and we expect the Tauranga-Nelson-Dunedin connection to also be as successful."
Source : Kiwi Regional Press Release
I wonder when Originair is going to announce their new routes.
ReplyDeleteTauranga, Napier, New Plymouth and Christchurch were the most requested routes when Originair recently asked people on soical media to pick the next destination to link with Nelson.
There was also a surprising number of people asking to a Invercargill to Nelson connection.
I know the 2 new routes, not allowed to say 3rd one. But they will be flying to CHC and NPL
DeleteAny word on if they have been able to get hold of a BAe Jetstream 41 yet?
DeletePalmerston North airport was looking for Palmerston North - Tauranga flights which could have worked for Originair - but maybe less likely if Kiwi is flying Nelson / Tauranga (less opportunity for Originair to have passengers fly Tauranga - Palmy - Nelson)
ReplyDeleteOkay. Just checking to see if I understand this correctly....on 16 February 2016 Kiwi announce they're pulling out of Tauranga?
ReplyDelete