BOOKINGS PICK UP FOR NEW AIRLINE

A small airline that got off to a slow start will continue to run daily services to and from Whanga¯rei after picking up business lately.

Fly My Sky first flew from Auckland to Whanga¯rei on the morning of October 29 with only its chief executive Keith McKenzie and Whanga¯rei MP Dr Shane Reti on board.

The return flight on its 10-seater Britten Norman Islander twinengine plane had just one passenger.

Since then, flights have been near capacity on the route, on which Fly My Sky competes with national carrier Air New Zealand, which has welcomed the new airline’s entry into the Northland market.

Fly My Sky chief executive Keith McKenzie earlier blamed the lack of bookings on a lack of advertising but expected business to pick up heading into the busy festive season.

Yesterday, he was more optimistic about the airline’s future on the Auckland to Whanga¯rei route.

“Passenger numbers are definitely building more towards what we’re after. They are still slightly slow but we’re getting quite a few return and repeat customers,” McKenzie said.

“Obviously the timing of our flights suit our customers.

“We’re still getting quite a few inquiries going forward and it’s looking encouraging with several flights almost full.”

The airline flies into Whanga¯rei twice daily from Monday to Friday, with a one-way fare of $99 including 23kg luggage.

Flights leave Auckland at 6.55am and 1.20pm, returning at 8.25am and 2.45pm.

McKenzie said doctors who flew with Fly My Sky from Auckland to Whanga¯rei for work have shown an interest in flying with the company again.

He said there were no plans to increase flights on the route at this stage.

The Auckland-based airline runs Britten Norman Islander planes from Auckland to Great Barrier Island and Whanga¯rei.

Another airline, Sunair, operates between Whanga¯rei, Great Barrier Island, Hamilton and Tauranga, based on demand and plans to open a flight training school in Whanga¯rei this year.