Oamaru regains commercial flights

Oamaru's first commercial flight for 15 years touched down at Oamaru Airport last night.

About 120 people welcomed the aircraft Spirit of Waitaki, carrying 14 passengers, which landed just after its scheduled 5.45pm arrival time from Christchurch.

Eagle Air is providing the new air service on behalf of Air New Zealand, using a 19-seat turbo-prop British Aerospace Jetstream aircraft.

The flight was the result of three years of negotiation by Waitaki mayor Alan McLay and various airline companies.

Air New Zealand in June agreed it would fly between Oamaru and Christchurch daily, Monday to Friday, plus a flight to Christchurch on Friday nights, returning Sunday night.

"It's been a real team effort. This airport is going to be a huge success," Mr McLay told the Otago Daily Times.

- NZPA