Kaitaia given air link lifeline

One of the complaints about the current service is that the departure time is too late. Photo / NZME.

Far North air travellers have been thrown a lifeline, with a Tauranga company vowing to operate flights from Kaitaia after Air New Zealand's decision to axe flights to the town from April.

Sunair Aviation, which specialises in routes between provincial towns not flown by the national carrier, is already negotiating with the Far North District Council and Far North Holdings about flying between Kaitaia and Auckland.

The news comes as the FNDC urges Air NZ to reconsider withdrawing its services from Kaitaia, with mayor John Carter "gutted" the national carrier is pulling out of Kaitaia.

Sunair's aircraft - mainly twin-engined, six-seater Piper Aztecs - are even smaller than the 19-seater Beechcraft 1900Ds Air New Zealand says are too small to be economic, but the firm believes its lower overheads will make the route viable.

Sunair, which describes itself as "the big little airline", has 10 twin-engined aircraft serving eight regional towns and is owned by Tauranga couple Dan and Bev Power.

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Mrs Power said Sunair would offer two flights a day, timed to allow a full business day in the destination city and avoid overnight costs. The number of flights could be increased if there was sufficient demand. It was too early to give an indication of the fares but the company hoped they would be similar to current Air NZ prices.

They had already spoken with Mr Carter and Far North Holdings chief executive Andy Nock. Both were enthusiastic and supportive, she said.

"We see this as a business opportunity. We think we can make it work, we have less costs, less overheads than Air New Zealand."

One of the complaints about the current service is that the departure time is too late. Mrs Power said the departure time had yet to be set but it would have to fit in with other flights.

"Each region wants the early departure. We'll take that on board and try to make it work as best we can."

It is not the company's first attempt at setting up an air service in Northland. In 2007, Sunair tried to start up a Whangarei-Auckland service in alliance with Whangarei air training school Quantum Aviation. It foundered a few months later because a government policy change meant Quantum's students were no longer eligible for student allowances or loans, and because the company struggled to compete head-to-head with Air NZ.