28 June 2015

Third Flight for Whakatane




Air Chathams chief executive Craig Emeny says understanding the Whakatane market has enabled the company to provide a quality service. It's been six weeks since Air Chathams took over after Air New Zealand stopped flights between Whakatane and Auckland and things are going well enough to add another daily flight to the schedule. However, the company, along with the three mayors of the Eastern Bay, are continuing discussions with Air New Zealand to ensure the success continues. Whakatane mayor Tony Bonne said a recent report into the economic benefits of flights into Whakatane showed an addition of $17 million to the local economy. "Reports were completed for the three regions Air New Zealand recently stopped servicing [Westport and Kaitaia as well as Whakatane] and will be shown to the Prime Minister to highlight the economic importance of each having a visible presence with our national carrier," Mr Bonne said. Two proposals had been put to Air New Zealand from the Eastern Bay. "Right now we have lost all visibility through Air New Zealand and its website," Mr Bonne said. "Were asking for Whakatane to be included online by highlighting flights to the region through Air Chathams and hoping people will be able to book flights with Air Chathams through the Air New Zealand website. "Some of the bigger companies only use Air New Zealand and have been booking staff flights to Tauranga and Rotorua then hiring cars to get people to Whakatane. "If they don't agree to making bookings available then we would at least like the inclusion." He said Air New Zealand had not said "no" but were putting up obstacles toward making it happen. Mr Bonne, who flew Air Chathams on Wednesday, said a company chief executive sitting in the seat behind him gave the service a 10 out of 10. "Everything I have heard to date has been positive and I urge local people and businesses to not only fly Air Chathams, but also to ensure they tell everybody about the service." Mr Emeny said it was always great to receive such feedback. "The past six weeks have allowed us to see if what we had planned was right and make any adjustments we believe needed making." Air Chathams have an 18-seater and a 50-seater available for the flights. "So far the smaller plane has been used the majority of the time although there has been the odd day when demand has meant we've used the bigger one. We expect demand to increase during summer." Air Chathams is looking to change arrival and departure times, making the morning flight to Auckland slightly earlier and the return trip to Whakatane slightly later. "In addition, we will be adding an 11am flight to Auckland to accommodate people who are not so business orientated. This will be more about meeting international flights or connecting with other flights." Mr Emeny was quick with praise for staff working at the airport. Air Chathams staff were enjoying Whakatane and becoming familiar faces at cafes and restaurants in town. Next up will be a passenger survey to see if the public agrees Air Chathams is doing it right.

7 comments:

  1. Hi Steve, Some more good news.
    I have been told that Air Chatham is involved with talks about serving Masterton.. I hope this time it proves successful and flights are re established to the district.
    Regards
    Jerden

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  2. Thanks Jerden... I always thought Masterton was a good fit for Air Chats so this doesn't surprise me. In fact I keep checking the Wairarapa Times Age page to see if there are any developments. Vincent would have been good too but were shaky after their Australian operation ended. Given that I think the local Council made a poor choice. Great to see Air Chats growing some local business... they may need to think of another type... I don't think one Metro and 3 Convairs are the right mix for services to WHK and MRO

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    1. So then the challenge for Air Chathams to restart flights is they will have to buy a new aircraft type even the J32 can't fit on the narrow MRO runway. I thought the S340 would be too large. Although it is a fairly big town the largest over 20,000 in NZ without an air service a bit of market stimulation maybe needed. The council needs to spend the $150,000 on the widening first before an operator will commit to starting flights. Until that is done it will hold things up.
      Jarden

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    2. Does it need widening ? The lifeflight Jetstream goes there all the time. I wouldn't be surprised if chats gets another metro or two off the back of Airwork's wind down of them

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  3. "Right now we have lost all visibility through Air New Zealand and its website," Mr Bonne said"

    Do Air New Zealand have any obligation to promote Whakatane?

    I don't think so.

    The Mayor needs to get his head out of the sand and be realistic.

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    1. Last months Ki Ora magazine had an article on the East Coast, esp TGA to WHK, and mentioned that Airnz flew to TGA.

      But I do agree why should they spend money to advertise a destination that they don't fly to anymore.

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  4. If Air Chathams are looking at taking on MRO they will need more than 1 Metroliner. Arnt NZ Post selling their Metro soon? Air Chathams could refit in for pax work

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