Whanganui passenger flight provider Air Chathams likely to pick up Kapiti-Auckland route

Whanganui's air passenger service provider Air Chathams is working to add the Kapiti-Auckland route to its schedule.

The success of Air Chathams' move into Whanganui-Auckland passenger flights looks likely to pay dividends for Kapiti Coast travellers.

Air Chathams began flying between Whanganui and Auckland in August 2016 after Air New Zealand pulled out of the service. On Tuesday Air New Zealand stopped its Kapiti-Auckland flights, opening the way for another airline to step in.

Air Chathams' chief executive Craig Emeny said since Air New Zealand's announcement about Kapiti, his airline had met interested parties to discuss the Kapiti-to-Auckland route.

"We are bouyed by the success of the Whanganui-Auckland route and that has given us the confidence to register interest in Kapiti service," Emeny said.

The airline would use a Saab 340 on the route, the same as on the Auckland-Whanganui service he said, and was now working with Kapiti Coast Airport to ensure regulatory requirements could be met.

Emeny said he hoped services could begin soon.

Air Chathams has operated scheduled and charter flight services to many of New Zealand's smaller communities, including the Chatham Islands, since 1984.

A small group of spectators at Kapiti Coast Airport watched on Tuesday morning as the last Kapiti passengers boarded an Air New Zealand plane, and the service left in grey overcast conditions.

One of the spectators was Eileen Shaw, who has regularly watched the service since it started on Labour Weekend 2011.

"I feel sad for me, but I feel for the people who now have to go to Wellington or Palmerston North to catch a plane [to Auckland].

"This airport is so local and so lovely.

"I'm going to miss it [watching the planes] so much.

"Someone said, 'it's just a load of metal', but I said, 'no it's a beautiful lady on the tarmac'."

Air New Zealand had invited Shaw to a luncheon at Raumati Beach later in the morning.

And in a nice touch, she was given a "Fly Kapiti" T-shirt by Kapiti Coast District Council's Janice McDougall.

Kapiti acting mayor James Cootes said it was disappointing to see the last flight but new opportunities would be created.

"As one door closes another one opens."