10 Mar 2009
Daily return flights would solve business problem says Toi-EDA
A campaign aimed at persuading Air New Zealand to start daily return flights from Wellington to Whakatane has been launched by Toi-EDA.
A morning direct flight from Wellington to Whakatane would solve a problem for business visitors and save them hours of time, says Toi-EDA Manager of Marketing and Economic Development, Mary Hermanson.
At present, anyone coming from Wellington to do business in the Eastern Bay must travel to Whakatane via Auckland, which takes two to three hours. That means it is very difficult for anyone to complete business here without an overnight stopover.
A daily direct flight from Whakatane to Wellington introduced in May last year after being trialled successfully for six months, attracts plenty of patronage. Mrs Hermanson says feedback from travellers and airport staff suggests the 19-seat Beech 1900D aircraft is always full or close to capacity.
Toi-EDA has organised a survey to gauge support for a daily service and will be looking for support from regional mayors and the business community, as well as canvassing local MPs. Meanwhile, Grant Kerr from Air New Zealand subsidiary Eagle Air has also met with Toi-EDA and Whakatane District Council to discuss air services.
Toi-EDA is keen to hear from local companies and organisations which have regular business visitors coming from Wellington and further south and could help with the survey.
It is vital to the development of the region that it has good transport links and flights in and out of other regional airports of similar size show Whakatane to be poorly served.
For a copy of the survey form email maryh@whakatane.govt.nz or phone 07 306 2031.
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