Timing vital in airline campaign

Without doubt the return of trans- Tasman flights to Palmerston North would provide a massive economic boost to the the city and the surrounding region. And so it’s heartening to read in today’s lead article the goal of bringing an international service back to the city is a priority for Destination Manawatu head honcho Lance Bickford.

What’s less heartening is that Mr Bickford is at odds with the company that runs the airport and its chief executive Darin Cusack.

Mr Cusack wants to wait until 2016 before another push is made to airlines to get international routes to the city. He says the region’s tourism operators and authorities need to focus on increasing demand first before talking to airlines.

Mr Bickford has said that’s not good enough. He wants efforts to be directed now on finding an international carrier, before the region becomes to distant a memory for international travellers.

Which man’s view is correct is perhaps a bit case of a chicken- and- egg scenario.

Without demand from travellers there will not be international flights, but without international flights there will not be as much demand.

Back when Freedom Air was flying out of Manawatu and across the Tasman, the bulk of its passengers were Kiwis travelling to or from Australia.

No doubt the demand for a trans- Tasman service from this side of the ditch is as strong as it was then.

A move to promote the Central North Island in Australia as a tourist destination was revealed 12 months ago.

It was to be a collaboration between the airport, Destination, tourism promoters and local authorities.

It’s unclear what came of the plan and it’s concerning that the heads of two of the key parties in that scheme are now at odds. Though if there’s a silver lining to all this, it’s that those who would lead the campaign for the return of Palmerston North Airport’s international status are still passionate about it. The challenge now is to work out when the best time is to get that campaign under way. Just think of the benefits if it’s successful.

One more thing:

of a

The retired couple who bought a Foxton home, only to discover it was contaminated from P production, have been overwhelmed by the community’s response to their story.

Offers of help for Derek and Ceridwen Hooper, including building materials, money and people’s time, have poured in since their story appeared in the Manawatu Standard.

Thank you to all those who have offered to help the couple. Your generosity is one of the reasons this region is so great to live in.