Editorial: What really matters is bums on seats

Anna Wallis

By Anna Wallis

Air Chathams and Whanganui Airport have certainly started things off with a bang.

There was a large crowd out at the airport on Sunday, despite the chilly weather, for the introductions to the new service. And the airline itself got things off on the right foot with a month of discounted air travel.

There's even talk of decorating the planes with scenes of Whanganui, along similar lines to those flying to Whakatane.

But it's bums on seats that really matter. Whanganui now has to show it can sustain a service to Auckland in the long term, when the ticket prices are not quite so attractive.

And Air Chathams will have to work out the price point at which Whanganui -- not known for being flush -- can afford to fly to the Queen City.

A quick check of its website suggests Air Chathams will keep its cheapest fare at around $60 one way for some time. That is dirt cheap.

The flexible, full economy is a whacking $344 and there's a mid-priced saver seat which can be changed. And the service has improved; there's complimentary water, coffee or tea and a biscuit, apparently.

But that's immaterial. A no-frills airline is what Whanganui needs and the message couldn't be clearer.

Whanganui can only keep any service if it takes advantage of the cheaper fares and fills the airplane for each flight, or near enough. It's up to the travelling public now. Air Chathams and the politicians have done all they can.