Air Chathams' Plans for PPQ

Air Chathams is flying to the rescue of the Kāpiti Coast Airport, promising more flights for the region if it picks up the service axed by Air New Zealand. On Tuesday, as the national carrier's last flight left the airport an hour north of Wellington, Air Chathams chief executive Craig Emeny said his airline would double the flights from Auckland to Kāpiti and look to offer more services such as a Christchurch route. "We absolutely want to do it, we just need to go through the logistics," Emeny said. Air New Zealand announced it was axing its Kāpiti service less than a month ago, prompting fears it could spell the end for the privately-owned airport. The announcement caused a national outcry, with Regional Development minister Shane Jones accusing the airline of abandoning the regions and the Kāpiti mayor saying the loss of the airport would leave the region vulnerable in a disaster. Family-owned Air Chathams could not confirm it would pick up the route until it had finished a feasibility study and analysis of the airport route, expected to take a few weeks, Emeny said. "Then we'll be able to say 'absolutely' which is the answer we want to give." Traffic lights would be needed on the already-clogged Kāpiti Rd, that runs parallel to the airport to ensure the intersection was free, when the small planes needed to fly low in some traffic conditions. But the flights would not be needed to be used for every flight, Emeny said. "It would stop traffic for about a minute and be maybe ten times a week." The company normally had a couple of months to establish its service but Air New Zealand's quick withdrawal from the region meant there would be some months before new flights were underway. Although their Saab 340 aircraft had 34 seats compared to the 50 seats the Air NZ planes had, passengers on the Auckland-Kapiti route would have more flights to choose from, Emeny said. In a statement, Todd Property managing director Evan Davis said the airport was currently in discussions with Air Chathams and the Kāpiti Coast District Council. "Because Air Chathams' aircraft are different to those that have previously operated commercially from Kāpiti Coast Airport, technical and regulatory requirements are being carefully considered. "Kāpiti Coast Airport, expert external advisors and Air Chathams are currently exchanging information and we hope to have this work completed as soon as possible, allowing us to move forward and determine any commercial arrangements." Acting Kāpiti mayor James Cootes farewelled Tueday's flight, and said the mood among staff and councillors at the airport was positive. "It was actually quite upbeat, there was a bit of a buzz. We certainly don't believe this is the end of the flights out of Kapiti." Air Chathams would provide Kapiti residents a more reliable service with more destinations, he said. Air New Zealand has been approached for comment.

Source : https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/102775248/as-air-nz-departs-air-chathams-plans-to-fly-to-the-rescue-of-kpiti-airport