More larger planes on way

ATR aircraft services set to rise. Photo / File

More larger planes are coming to Tauranga as the airport continues to defy the global downturn and attract more passengers.

The latest breakthrough will see the 68-seat ATR aircraft go from one evening service a week to five services a week between Auckland and Tauranga - Monday to Friday.

Airport manager Ray Dumble said the switch from the 50-seat Q300 aircraft will add 144 seats a week to the Auckland-Tauranga service.

"What's really cool is that we are constantly getting increases each time Air New Zealand renews its schedules."

He has witnessed a 250 per cent rise in the number of aircraft seats servicing Tauranga over the past 10 years, from 440 seats a day 10 years ago to over 1100 seats now.

The four additional ATR evening services will begin on February 10, a few days before the Q300s take over some of the weekend services currently flown by 19-seater Beech aircraft.

Air New Zealand communications manager Brigitte Ransom said the changes would increase the capacity on the Auckland-Tauranga route by more than 6 per cent.

Mr Dumble said he was also expecting more good news later in 2014 from Air Zealand on more flights and bigger aircraft.

The Tauranga-Christchurch direct service has been well patronised since Air New Zealand took it over six years ago. It has grown from one return service a day during weekdays to two flights a day on three of the weekdays, with the other two days staying the same.

Mr Dumble said what was interesting was the number of Tauranga people who were now working in Christchurch because of the earthquakes.

"I am encouraged by the constant growth. It has grown all the way through the global credit crunch. It is a bit by bit thing."

Airport committee chairman Bill Faulkner said Auckland-Tauranga had been marginal in that it was touch and go whether people drove or flew. But if the seats were there, then people would fly, particularly if they were connecting to domestic or international flights.

More people had got into the habit of flying out of Tauranga since the Q300 aircraft were introduced.

ATR 72

*Flown by 103 airlines and freight forwarders
*Twin engine short-haul regional aircraft
*Capacity 68 to 74 passengers
*Cruise speed 511 km/h
*Range 1324km.
*Build by French-Italian manufacturer ATR
*Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127F turboprops