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A new airline could soon be flying between Wanganui and the
capital - as the national carrier takes off for the last time next month. When Air New Zealand announced in September that it would
end its Wanganui-Wellington service, it seemed like the air link would be gone
for good, but Picton-based Sounds Air is looking at stepping into the breach. The airline's chief executive Andrew Crawford, along with
several pilots and its head of engineering, flew into Wanganui in one of the
company's distinctive orange and white Cessna Caravan aircraft yesterday to
make the announcement. About 35 invited guests, including several councillors,
welcomed the southern contingent at the Wanganui Airport terminal. Mr Crawford said that although the company made dozens of
flights each week over the Cook Strait there was room for more. "We have spare capacity after we bought a fourth
Caravan recently. "We fly between Wellington and Blenheim 30 times a
week, to Nelson 25 times a week, and to Picton 30 times a week, but we have
room for more. "Wanganui seems to be a very real opportunity for us as
Air New Zealand has left." He said the company was "very close" to making a
decision about the Wanganui-Wellington service which could begin early next
year. Sounds Air would fly the same schedule as Air New Zealand. Willie Sage, the Taihape-born chief pilot of the airline,
said the Caravan aircraft would "speak for itself" in terms of
passenger comfort. "It's quiet, roomy, it's very nice to ride in - our
passengers love it. "On the pilot's side, it has state-of-the-art avionics,
more so than you might find in standard airliners." Mr Sage said that although some people had reservations
about flying in a single-engined plane the Caravan was as reliable as a
twin-piston-engined plane. Mr Crawford said the chief air accident investigator
was a regular passenger on the company's aircraft. Wanganui mayor Annette Main said the possibility of a
replacement air service between Wanganui and Wellington was welcome news for
the district. It was great to see the interest shown in providing a
service between the two cities. "We had some frequent flyers at the airport to talk
with Sounds Air and there's every indication that there will be excellent
support from passengers for a new service," Ms Main said. "We look forward to Sounds Air's confirmation of the
introduction of a service next year." Air New Zealand's final Wellington service ends on December
24. The Auckland services will not be affected.
Source : http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11156152
Good work Sounds Air! If any airline can make the Wanganui-Wellington service work it is you guys!
I can't imagine how atrocious it would be, banging down to Welly in that thing at 8000' in a screaming southerly.
ReplyDeleteI would have thought the problem is Wellington itself in high winds rather than the flight... Sounds Air being a Cook Strait operator are used to wild weather and Wellington's weather... As Steve says they are a good operator. I'd much prefer 40 minutes to Wellington with them than the morning traffic jam to Wellington
ReplyDeleteI was going to send you a link sas I thought this may interest you, but never mind! ;-) - Zac
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