03 December 2013

Sounds Air Gives Wanganui the Nod


 
Sounds Air have announced a new Wellington to Wanganui service will commence on the  21st of January 2014. The new service comes in the wake of Air New Zealand Link withdrawing its service between the two centres on the 24th of this month.

In mid September Sounds Air indicated they were interested in operating a Masterton-Wellington service after Air New Zealand announced that it would withdraw from Masterton next year (see http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/09/sounds-air-for-masterton.html). The in mid-November Sounds Air turned its attention towards Wanganui (see http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/sounds-air-looking-at-wanganui.html). Today's announcement is good news for Wanganui commuters while leaving Masterton in limbo in terms of its own air service. Potentially the Sounds Air move could mark the next chapter in the development of regional air services in New Zealand as Air New Zealand seeks to rationalise the number of domestic ports it serves.



Sounds Air's Managing director Andrew Crawford told the Wanganui Chronicle that the enthusiasm received by councillors, residents and airport staff at both airports had been overwhelming since a visit to Wanganui last month. "We are very excited about the prospects for this service and look forward to it being embraced by Wanganui and Wellington residents as well as providing a gateway for tourists between the two centres."

The new flights from Wanganui will depart Monday to Saturday at 6.45 am arriving in the capital at 7.25 am. The flights to Wanganui will depart Wellington Sunday to Friday at 6.00 pm arriving at 6.40 pm. Fares for the service are set at a very reasonable $125. The service will be operated by their Cessna 208 Caravan and Grand Caravan aircraft.

Bookings can be made at http://www.soundsair.com/

Cessna 208 Caravan on departure from Wellington on 1 December 2013

Arriving into Wellington Cessna 208 Grand Caravan ZK-SAY on 1 December 2013
 

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