Last flight takes off for Auckland

LAST ONE OUT: Margareth Nathan, going back to Germany after visiting her mother Pam Nathan in Masterton.

Air New Zealand calls time on service it claims is unprofitable

It was a sad day for staff and passengers at Masterton Airport yesterday as the last boarding call was made for the final flight to Auckland.

The Air New Zealand Masterton-Auckland route has had plenty of action during its five years of operation carrying 37,000 passengers and some with their own wings.

A pair of white swans caused a bit of a ruckus, said Julie Paget, customer services manager, who had worked at the airport for almost two years.

John Lapslie, airport manager, said the plane carried about six animals a week, often pets that have been sold going to new homes.

Most of the passengers, however, were human - Wairarapa people coming from all parts of the globe to visit their families, going on holiday or travelling for work.

Last year, claiming uneconomic operations and a lack of demand, the airline announced it was cutting the service.

Passenger occupancy was about 72 per cent.

Mrs Paget said there were many regular passengers who valued the time saved through the direct 55-minute flight.

"Many people live here but they have work in Auckland."

One passenger was gutted when she heard the announcement, said Mrs Paget.

"She said 'I just bought a business in Auckland relying on the airport here'."

Mr Lapslie, who managed the airport for five years, said it was sad that it had to close.

But it was expensive to run small planes, he said.

He had not heard any news about whether another airline would step in.

One of six passengers boarding the last flight, Christopher Percy, said the service was very useful as he lived in Perth and could go direct from there to Auckland to Masterton.

Mr Percy, visiting his mother Shirley, said it was much faster and cheaper to get home this way than flying via Wellington Airport. "I think it's a pity that it's being knocked off, it's direct from Auckland and you're here," he said.

He said he'd like to see another service brought back.

"That'd be fantastic, I'd definitely use it."

Auckland-based Takui Langi, also visiting her mum, agreed.

"It saves us driving to Auckland," said her mother Anna-Marie Devoe.

"It's a real shame it's going."

She hoped another airline would step in, like Jetstar.

Lisa Prendergast, who lives overseas and was visiting family, said she had used the service a few times and would like to see something reinstated.

"It's quite sad, it's been quite popular, it helps cut out the journey from Wellington."

Airport assistant for two years, Isaac Milne, said he was disappointed about the closure.

"Hopefully another airline will come."

He is hoping to build a career in the aviation industry.

Mrs Paget said it would also be sad for 'Pilot', a black cat who lives nearby.

"He started coming here when I started, he met me every morning.

"This is his second home."

The distinctive black Beech 1900D ZK-EAK, painted for the Rugby World Cup, was brought in specially for the last flight.

Masterton and Carterton councils invested more than $1 million towards airport facilities at Hood Aerodrome and were devastated at the decision.

Last year, Wairarapa MP John Hayes said he was investigating alternative options with other airlines.

He told the Times-Age reporter yesterday "I'm confident that we will have replacement arrangements soon".

He said he was in talks with two providers. "The dialogue is still going on but I remain optimistic."

Asked about prices, he said he doubted it would be higher.

"It has to be commercially viable or else we are going to end up in the space of all the previous airlines that have failed before."