Flights aid ‘fragile’ roading network: New air service between Napier, Wairoa and Gisborne

Sunair Aviation will launch a new weekday service connecting Napier and Wairoa and Napier and Gisborne in late June. Photo / Supplied

Connectivity for “vulnerable” and “isolated” northern Hawke’s Bay will be shored up with a new air service poised for flight this month.

Hawke’s Bay Airport has welcomed the news that North Island airline Sunair Aviation will launch the new weekday service connecting Napier and Wairoa, and Napier and Gisborne.

Rob Stratford, Hawke’s Bay Airport CEO, said the service will be well received by travellers, regional leaders and the business community.

“Especially with Air New Zealand’s temporary Napier-Gisborne service wrapping up last week,” he said. “It’s vital that we have an alternative way to connect with Wairoa and Gisborne while State Highway 2 remains vulnerable.

“We can only see demand for direct air service connection growing as Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti move further into the cyclone recovery phase. It’s important that Hawke’s Bay Airport plays a leadership role as a key regional transport asset in maintaining and growing our connectivity with other parts of New Zealand.

Wairoa District Mayor Craig Little said the Sunair service, which will begin in late June, provides residents with another option.

“Cyclone Gabrielle highlighted our isolation issues and the vulnerability of the routes into and out of Wairoa,” Little said. “Any additional connectivity layer must be a win for our community.

“We recognise that due to our small population base, there will be limitations around this service and that the fares will not be the same as regional fares. However, at a time when we have lost so much, it is great to have a new service and option for our district. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in making this happen.”

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said adding to the direct transport options between Gisborne and Napier was crucial.

“We know our roading network is fragile. The direct flights offered by Air New Zealand were very popular and having more choices will contribute to a healthy, productive relationship between us and our Hawke’s Bay neighbours,” Stoltz said.

Sunair Aviation flight operations manager Dan Power said the company had seen a need.

“We are very happy to do our bit to support East Coast communities. Even though the road network is operational, some people may be reluctant to travel by road. It is good to be able to offer travellers an alternative, and we are very grateful for the support of Hawke’s Bay, Wairoa and Gisborne airports to allow us to offer this service.”

The schedule connects Napier, Gisborne, and Wairoa with daily flights (six-passenger capacity per flight) from Monday, June 26, on weekdays. Gisborne has two flights each day, and there are two return flights daily between Napier and Wairoa.

“Fares are $240 incl GST one way between Gisborne and Napier,” Power said. “And thanks to the support being offered by Hawke’s Bay Airport and Wairoa District Council, we are able to reduce the Napier-Wairoa airfares to $190.”

The carrier is also introducing a new once-daily departure between Napier and Tauranga return via Gisborne.