Regional airline Sounds Air forced to drop routes as it sells part of fleet

A Sounds Air nine-seater Pilatus PC12 plane. The airline is selling off its PC12 fleet. Photo / NZME

Regional airline Sounds Air is dropping some routes as it sells off part of its fleet amid rising costs.

Sounds Air chief executive Andrew Crawford told Newstalk ZB it was just another blow to regions in this country.

“We just can’t keep going with the ever-increasing costs that are being imposed on the business.

“In particular, because everything we buy is in US dollars, the currency is so weak, and costs have gone up so much since Covid, it’s just no longer viable to fly some of our fleets.

“We’ve had over half a million of costs imposed in the last three months that we’ve really got no way of getting back except for passing onto customers.”

The airline is selling its Pilatus PC12 fleet, which operate between Blenheim-Christchurch and Wānaka-Christchurch.

“It’s a devastating loss,” Crawford said.

“They’re [PC12 fleet] a very expensive aircraft to operate.

“We’re sorry there’s going to be a few jobs made redundant… which is really sad.”

Crawford said passenger numbers have never been better.

“A big part of Wānaka and Blenheim to Christchurch is healthcare, so that’s people going from the regions for healthcare at Christchurch Hospital,” he said.

Crawford said the airline would retain its Cessna Caravan fleet and services across Cook Strait.

“It’s really a watershed moment for the business. It’s back to the future really, it’s where we started and where we’re going to actually expand our business on the Cook Strait market.

“We’ve got to get these costs under control. The numbers we’ve done, I certainly believe we can do that and especially with the people that are flying across Cook Strait.”

Sounds Air was started in 1987 by Cliff and Diane Marchant, who retain an active involvement.