Editorial: New flight boom for our region

Andrew Austin

There is a simple rule in the commercial world - if something is viable and profitable, it will stay afloat.

If something, other than essential health or humanitarian services, needs to be propped up by public money (ie your and my tax dollars), it better be worth it, else we will vote that council or government out of office at the next election. That is why I am treating the news that Sounds Air will soon be operating a service between Napier and Blenheim with cautious optimism.

The basic concept is the brainchild of John Stace of Havelock North, a businessman of international repute who probably has not received due recognition in New Zealand and, in particular, Hawke's Bay. What it will mean is that a nine-seater Pilatus PC12 plane will fly direct between Hawke's Bay and Marlborough in a proposed service.

Sounds Air managing director Andrew Crawford said his company was in the "final stages" of sealing the deal with Hawke's Bay Airport, with the service proposed to start in early August.

"Predominantly we see this as a business route. It's such a pain trying to get from Blenheim to Hawke's Bay when you're in the wine industry," he said.

The Napier-to-Blenheim service would start off with two return flights, one in the morning and one in the evening, two days a week - with a view to expand.

This is good news. We all know the cost of flying to Auckland or Wellington (our only real destinations) and any viable alternative that gives people options and also brings business and tourists to our region is a good thing.

Marlborough has many things in common with our region, in particular wine, and anything mutually beneficial for both provinces is a good thing.

Anything that boosts our economy and brings people, business or tourists, is something worth supporting. Let's hope it succeeds.