Air New Zealand cuts two regional routes

Air Chathams is stepping into the gap left by Air New Zealand pulling out of the Auckland-Whanganui route.

Meanwhile Marlborough airline Sounds Air could pick up the slack after the national carrier announced it was ending flights between Christchurch and Blenheim.

Air New Zealand said on Monday it was discontinuing both regional routes, as the services did not have sufficient passenger demand to sustain a 50-seat aircraft service.

Air Chathams announced almost immediately it would be starting flights between Auckland and Whanganui as soon as Air New Zealand stops its service on July 31.

‘‘We understand the commercial decisions that have prompted this decision from Air New Zealand,’’ Air Chathams chief executive Craig Emeny said.

‘‘And we want to reassure the local community that Air Chathams will continue to work alongside the national carrier to ensure that Whanganui receives a safe, reliable air service enabling the region to continue to grow into the future.’’

The airline’s 19-seat Metroliner planes will fly the same weekday schedule as Air New Zealand currently does, but there will be some minor changes to weekend flights.

Air New Zealand said while the Christchurch-Blenheim service would also end, it planned to boost seats between Blenheim and Auckland and Wellington.

Sounds Air managing director Andrew Crawford said the privately-owned airline was exploring taking up the Blenheim-Christchurch route, which he said would operate at least twice daily.

Customers booked to travel on Air New Zealand’s suspended services past July 31 would be able to get a refund or choose a different airport to fly from.