Hood Aerodrome will keep a light burning for commercial airlines after the council earmarked more than half a million dollars in the proposed long-term plan to reseal the runway, improve internal roading, and replace runway lights. The key projects as outlined in Masterton District Council's plan are part of normal airport maintenance that would keep it fit for commercial and non-commercial use. Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson says the council had been looking for an alternative service provider since Air New Zealand's last flight from Masterton to Auckland in February, 2014, but had so far been unsuccessful. "We've been working consistently since Air New Zealand stopped providing services to look for another service provider. "What happened earlier this year, late last year was that when Air New Zealand pulled out of the other sites like Whakatane and Westport, all of the mayors got together - there were six or seven of us- and started to look at what we could do. "Air links are really important for us as a region from an economic development point of view, and so we had some discussions with central government about that. That led to the research and the paper that's being done by Local Government New Zealand that's due to be released next month. On a local level, we have, and are still talking to air service providers. The difficulty for us is that they're not all banging on our door, clambering to be here."And there are not a large number of air service providers around to deliver the service. But I personally would still like to see a air service continue, particularly to Auckland and possibly Christchurch. It's just a matter of finding the right service provider that is prepared to come in here and deliver that service." Latest reports show that facilities at the airport meet the operating and safety regulations required for a commercial service including the terminal building, a taxiway, and hardstand. Replacement of the runway lights are expected to be completed within the year and will be funded using the council's depreciation reserves.
Source : http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wairarapa-times-age/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503414&objectid=11481142
May not be logistical,but Originair might fit a MS to Auckland flight daily.and return.
ReplyDeletefitting it in with their new services >?
Still the only realistic option is Air Chathams with an established base in Auckland. Check in counter ready to go.
DeleteOrigin would be a long way off any affiliation with Auckland Airport.
Masterton could have had a service by now if it hadn't continually wooed Air Chathams, only to drop them for another provider at the last minute. Once is unfortunate, twice is insulting.
ReplyDeleteHindsight is wondeful.
DeleteBut would you have picked a Metroliner over a Saab service? Both operators were experienced and keen. The Vincent option at the time meant less investment was required to offer an arguably better product.
I would have picked the operator that already had the aircraft to commit and that was Chats! Not the outfit that had already had the Australian operation placed into receivership and needed to reaquire an aircraft to operate the service (as the existing Vincent Saabs were tied up with the Australian operation).
DeleteSo they MDC have twice rejected Air Chathams offer that is real bad. I can't see any other airline going to put their hat in the ring now. Its a small industry in NZ once you burn your bridges people will always remember. They will have to accept no air link for the district now.
DeleteThe question is - who are the intending passengers? Do they want AKL/ MRO/ AKL once or twice a day? Or does the day start MRO/AKL and so on? Wairarapa Airlines could not make the second work; Air NZ could not make the first. Of the three businessmen I know who go regularly to/from Masterton none would use either service - time, cost made it simpler to go through Wellington or Palmerston North. Frankly its a local "ego" thing as Air Chathams came to realise, having made the mistake of putting forward a business case, not a Saab soft sell!
DeleteI have a feeling Air Chathams might eventually look at MRO. However Air Chats need some more equipment, eg. Another Metro. With Air work winding down its Metros, good opportunity for Air Chathams to aquire another metro for Wairarapa services
ReplyDeleteUnderstood to economically operate a Metro from MRO a runway extension would be required , 06/24 main runway, The Waingawa river to the south.and a busy road at the north end ,. Jetsream or Saab appear to be more suitable .
ReplyDeleteJetstream better? Surely you jest.
Delete"The difficulty for us is that they're not all banging on our door, clambering to be here"
ReplyDeleteProbably because the Masterton-Auckland sector is a loss making route.
Suck it up and catch the bus.