Sunair will extend its services to include the Auckland and Coromandel areas. Photo/file
Sunair will extend its services to include the Auckland and Coromandel areas. Photo/file
A Tauranga air service has extended its flights with the announcement of daily flights between Coromandel and Auckland.
The announcement of a twice daily air service out of Ardmore Airport direct to Whitianga and daily flights connecting Whitianga with Great Barrier Island and Tauranga was welcome news to the Coromandeltourism industry.
While flights to some provincial regions have been under threat Sunair stated it was committed to servicing the Coromandel region.
Guest nights and spend in the Coromandel have recovered from a slow down in 2013 with record results in recent months. The flights will complement other travel options including a 2 hour ferry service from Auckland to Coromandel Town.
From Monday, December 1, Sunair will depart at 8am daily from Ardmore Airport in Auckland for Whitianga, and return at 2.30pm. Flights take around 20 minutes and will cost $120 one way for adults and $90 for children aged 12 and under.
Flights from Tauranga and Great Barrier to Whitianga will also be $120 one way. Baggage allowance is 15kg per person and $2 per kg extra.
Thames Coromandel District Council Mayor Glenn Leach said he was excited about the opportunity for the region.
"This is fantastic news for the Coromandel and we're really looking forward to welcoming more people to the district. I want to thank Sunair for its commitment to our area."
The new services will operate year-round with no minimum passenger numbers.
Whitianga airfield is just minutes from the Whitianga town centre and is centrally located on The Coromandel, just 40 minutes south of Coromandel Town and 40 minutes north of Tairua and Pauanui.
