Kapiti’s new airline takes off
The Kapiti Coast’s new air service is off the ground.
Air Chathams flew into Paraparaumu Airport yesterday, ending months of uncertainty about the future of the service after Air New Zealand axed the route.
A po¯ whiri greeted the Saab 340 plane as it arrived from Auckland, piloted by Craig and Duane Emeny, the father and son duo behind the business.
The flight carried guests and competition winners; with the first public flight taking place this morning.
In March, Air New Zealand announced it was axing its service between Paraparaumu and Auckland, prompting fears it could spell the end for the privately owned Ka¯ piti Coast Airport.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones accused the airline of abandoning the regions and Ka¯ piti Mayor K Gurunathan said it left his district vulnerable in a disaster.
Yesterday, Gurunathan said it was a good day for Ka¯ piti and the many people who had lobbied for a replacement service.
‘‘It’s cheesy but absence makes the heart grow fonder; you don’t know what you have until it’s gone and the threat of it going galvanised the public . . . . now we need to make sure it thrives.’’
He said the sky was the limit for the business, with potential in both the Porirua and Horowhenua markets.
While officials celebrated the new service with cake and speeches, Cheryl Amos said the plane’s arrival was extra special for her. The Paraparaumu woman won a contest for two fares on the maiden flight and used them to fly her grandson Kasen, 5, and his mum from Auckland. ‘‘I’m absolutely delighted, we wouldn’t have seen him until January.’’
The business will operate 36 flights a week between Auckland and Ka¯ piti, offering travellers up to 1152 seats on its fleet of Saab 340 aircraft.
In June, Ka¯ piti Coast District Council agreed to spend $150,000 to market the service and consider a possible subsidy; Gurunathan said the council would try to limit the impact on ratepayers.
Airport owners Todd Property Group said it had provided the lease free for the first year, followed by a 33 per cent discount for another two years while the service was built up.