Some More on Sounds Air's Inaugural Wanaka Flights

 

Thanks to Andrew Crawford, Sounds Air's CEO for sending in this pic of Pilatus PC12 ZK-PLV about to operate yesterday's first flight from Wanaka to Christchurch. The Pilot in Command of the first flight was Na’ama Gueta with co-pilot Phil Brewer. Andrew reports that the airline is flying the sector with two pilots for a few weeks whilst they bed every one in. He also reports that the prospects for the service are looking good so far with very promising bookings. 

Ready for the airline's first scheduled service to Christchurch, Sounds Air's Pilatus PC12 ZK-PLV at Wanaka on 2 November 2020 

In October 2024, Sounds Air's CEO Andrew Crawford reflected on the post-Covid challenges facing the airline saying the aviation market is the toughest he has seen in his 21 years at the airline: “Post Covid, the combination of staggering jet fuel costs, a weak NZD exchange rate, increasing landing fees and CAA charges, wage pressures, high interest rates, and the dramatic international escalation in the costs of servicing engines have been crippling. This led to the Taupō and Westport services ending on the 31st of December 2024.