Sounds Air steps up Wa¯naka flight plan

Passenger flights between Christchurch and Wa¯ naka could start in September.

Marlborough airline Sounds Air proposed flying the route after the Covid-19 lockdown to cater for both domestic tourists and business people.

Managing director Andrew Crawford said they were now ‘‘concluding arrangements’’ over the link with Christchurch Airport and Queenstown Airport Corporation, which manages Wa¯ naka Airport in Otago for the Queenstown Lakes District Council.

The airline plans to start the service in September with up to three flights a day and 15 flights a week, using a nine-seat Pilatus PC12 turboprop plane.

The flight time would be 45 minutes.

Crawford said 90 per cent of 3600 respondents to its survey on the proposal were in favour.

Most said they would use the service for holidays and leisure, with smaller numbers wanting it to visit friends and family, access personal or medical services, or for business.

‘‘There is a ready and enthusiastic market for this service, and strong understanding and support for the benefits it would bring,’’ he said.

Three per cent were opposed to the flights.

The airline said the service would not require additional infrastructure at Wa¯naka Airport. The airport does not have scheduled passenger flights, but is used by helicopters, private jets and other small fixed-wing aircraft for charter flights, pilot training, skydiving, and agricultural and military use.

It hosts the Warbirds over Wa¯naka International Airshow every second Easter.