Air service talk with PM seen as 'positive, constructive'

HAPPY LANDINGS? Kaitaia airport, which Air New Zealand will abandon in April.

"Positive and constructive" was Mayor John Carter's verdict after a discussion with Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key last week on the subject of provincial air services and regional development.

Mr Carter, his counterparts from Whakatane, Opotiki, Masterton and Buller, and Far North Holdings chief executive Andy Nock, met Mr Key at the Beehive to discuss Air New Zealand's decision to withdraw air services at Kaitaia, Whakatane, Masterton and Westport, asking that the government consider a number of proposals aimed at ensuring the long-term viability of the provincial airports and scheduled flights that were needed for the regions to "succeed."

"Our discussions with Air New Zealand have been positive to date, but there are a number of issues that we need the support of the government with so our endeavours are successful," Mr Carter said.

The meeting with Mr Key had been very positive, and the mayors were grateful that he had made time to meet with them at a busy time of the year.

"We were well-received, and he impressed us with his knowledge and understanding of the issues we came to discuss," he said.

He had been receptive to the idea of providing a guaranteed minimum investment of six years at airports jointly owned by local authorities and the Ministry of Transport, and was happy for the mayors to discuss the possibility of bringing airports up to certification standards with his ministers.

The government would also support the mayors' efforts to persuade Air New Zealand to enter reciprocal agreements (code share) with other internal airlines to allow passengers connecting to Air New Zealand flights to take advantage of discounted fares.

Mr Key encouraged the Mayors to continue the discussion with Economic Development Minister Stephen Joyce, Finance Minister Bill English, Transport Minister Simon Bridges and Local Government Minister Paula Bennett.

The mayors also raised their concerns about the potential for Air New Zealand to use pricing tactics to compete with airlines that introduced services at Kaitaia and elsewhere, Mr Carter saying they intended to continue these discussions with ministers and the airline.

"The wider issue here is regional development and how the local government sector can partner with the government to realise New Zealand's economic potential." he added.