A look back at the past blog headers - 2015

Watching 2

Watching

Down the Kaikoura Coast

Pelorus Air's Cessna 185 ZK-PRM was at Picton Airport at Koromiko on 4 January 2018

Sounds Air's Pilatus PC12s, ZK-PLV and ZK-PLZ were at Woodbourne

South Pacific Helicopters' Bell Jetranger ZK-HBO at Kaikoura 

Christchurch Helicopter's Hughes 500E ZK-HSC at Kaikoura

Air Kaikoura's Aeropro Eurofox A240 ZK-TUG was at Kaikoura.

Also at Kaikoura were Air Kaikoura stablemates Cessna 172 ZK-JCT

and Piper Cherokee 6 ZK-DOP

Last Kaikoura Flight Coverage

Sounds Air operated its last flight to Blenheim-Kaikoura-Blenheim (SDA 31/34) service on 29 December 2017. The flight was under the command of Tom Williams in Cessna Caravan ZK-SAN. 

This was the second time Sounds Air had withdrawn from Kaikoura. For a complete history of Sounds Air's services to Kaikoura see:

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2015/01/sounds-airs-kaikoura-service.html

A photo essay of flights between Blenheim and Kaikoura can be found here:

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/sounds-air-31-to-kaikoura.html

and here:

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/sounds-air-34-back-to-blenheim.html

It has been a godsend for many residents in the top of the South, but now the road is open again Sounds Air has called time on its direct air service to Kaikōura. The Blenheim-Kaikōura passenger service took to the skies for the final time on Friday, marking the end of the route. Sounds Air was quick to set up the service after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in November 2016 forced the closure of State Highway 1.  It had been a saviour for both private and business travellers. But Sounds Air managing director Andrew Crawford said people were more likely to drive to Kaikōura now that the highway had reopened. "I wouldn't fly it so I wouldn't expect others to," he said. Sounds Air's six passenger service flights between Blenheim and Kaikōura each week had been a huge support for businesses, said Kaikōura Cheese co-owner Sarah Jenkins. "All the help that we've had... is the reason we are still going." Within days of the quake Sounds Air had offered Jenkins cargo space to fly cheese packages to market in Blenheim once or twice a week. "It's been fundamental to our survival," she said. "It's definitely a massive thank you from our family and staff." The final flight in a 12-seater Cessna Caravan landed in Blenheim just after 1pm on Friday. Ground crew member Sarah Butt, who was on the final flight, said one of the five passengers on board became quite emotional to learn it was the last flight. "The lady was very appreciative and emotional," she said. Pilot Tim Williams said it was also a tough day for airport staff in Kaikōura. "The staff down there were quite sad about it," he said. All other flights with Sounds Air were still running as normal.

There are photos of the last flight about to leave Blenheim at : 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/100234756/job-done-sounds-air-signs-off-on-last-flight-between-blenheim-and-kaikura

Four airliners...

Departing Whanganui for Auckland this morning was Air Chathams' Saab 340 ZK-KRA... Looks to be an exciting year for Air Chats...

After operating Originair services from Nelson to both Palmerston North and New Plymouth, the company's BAe Jetstream 31 ZK-JSH is seen here this afternoon operating air2there's service from Nelson to Paraparaumu to Blenheim. It later did a Blenheim-Paraparaumu-Nelson service. I see someone has made a comment suggesting Originair/air2there should look to do Paraparaumu-Christchurch. Not a bad tour

Arriving into Wellington from Hokitika, I mean Canberra, Singapore Airlines' Boeing 777-200 9V-SQL

 

Sounds Air Caravan ZK-PDM roaring off to the South Island from Wellington... I'll be following it on the ferry tomorrow

Wanting to Announce the Arrival of Flight...

Masterton is still actively searching for an operator to connect the Wairarapa with Auckland at least. Here are a couple of pieces I missed from last year...

Our need to take flight...
Opinion Piece by Don Farmer

Losing a commercial air service from Hood Aerodrome has had a “catastrophic effect” on an otherwise booming Masterton district the New Zealand Airports annual conference in Wellington was told yesterday. In a hard-hitting speech to the conference Masterton mayor Lyn Patterson said the only sticking point with the district’s prosperity was poor transport links, including having no passenger air service. Whereas she was “very proud to tell you our town is booming” Mrs Patterson said it was being held back because of transport. Masterton has had the highest GDP growth in the greater Wellington region for the last three years, and it’s still  rising. House sales, consents issued, vehicle registrations and annual earnings were increasing at a much faster rate “ than the rest of Wellington and the rest of New Zealand.” “We are experiencing sustained population growth with a steady stream of families and new businesses moving to the town all the time. “They are mainly people who are sick and tired of metropolitan living and are looking for a better, more affordable place to raise their family. “We are fortunate to have ultrafast broadband, but we certainly haven’t got ultrafast transport links,” Mrs Patterson said. There had been a daily Air New Zealand service between Masterton and Auckland from 2009 until the start of 2014. “Of all the regional services that closed at that time we are the only location which still does not have a replacement. “The decision to cease operations out of Hood Aerodrome has had a catastrophic effect on our ability to do business with the rest of the country,” she said. Wairarapa was a rural area that relied heavily on the Life Flight service as often the only way of transporting seriously ill or injured people to emergency medical care. Despite no commercial airline operating out of Hood, the aerodrome and runway needed to be maintained to a high standard for the “vital life-saving service.” Underwriting initial losses and maintaining good airport infrastructure gave potential airline operators confidence as it reduced risks presented by narrow runways, low passenger numbers and ageing facilities. “No operator will come to town unless those risks are mitigated and there are facilities available matching their aircraft type. “All this costs money and that comes from one source alone, the ratepayer,” Mrs Patterson said. Masterton District Council had worked hard to keep rates down with an increase of 2.3 per cent. “An investment of say $1m at Hood would hike that up by another four per cent. “That’s not acceptable to our council, and not acceptable to our community.” Mrs Patterson said there was a “significant disparity” between the various transport links. “The New Zealand Transport Agency looks after our main roads and we maintain the rest, assisted by a 57 per cent NZTA subsidy. “It’s our biggest single area of investment and more than half of it is funded by central government. “Yet when it comes to airport infrastructure, we are expected to pick up the entire bill,” she said. Mrs Patterson said she was constantly lobbied by businesses and others over the need for an air service. “We need an air service for economic reasons, tourism, business and even the basics of social cohesion. “Aunty and uncle in Auckland don’t fancy flying to Wellington or Palmerston North and then having to cross the Rimutaka Hill or travel the Saddle Road twice, so they don’t come here anywhere near as often as they would like.” She also spoke of the problems the district could face in the event of disasters such as a major earthquake which could result in Rimutaka Hill Road being closed for a lengthy period and trains being out of action. “It’s not hard to imagine a scenario where we are cut off, unable to leave or receive help we desperately need. “This may just be the most important reason why we need a regular passenger air service.”

Source : http://times-age.co.nz/need-take-flight/, 29 September 2017

Masterton serious about re-establishing air link

Running an air link out of Wairarapa in the past has been a marginal enterprise at best, but Masterton District Council is turning on the landing lights for would-be commercial operators. The council has just closed its registrations of interest for airlines which would consider operating a regular air service out of the region's only airport. Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson said she would not rule out some form of assistance if ratepayers were prepared to get behind it. The air strip at Masterton's Hood Aerodrome would need upgrading to allow a broader range of commercial aircraft. "It has to be in the mix because there is a public good in having the air service. Having a regional airline back in Masterton is critical for our economic development," she said. The new Government had  said regional development was a key focus and Patterson said it could have a role to play. "If we could get Government support around infrastructure, it would be a real win-win," she said. Previous investigations had shown that Masterton's airstrip would need improvements if it were to accommodate a broader range of commercial aircraft. New Zealand Airports Association chief executive Kevin Ward said they were lobbying Government to ensure regional air links were functioning well and part of that would be to establish a fund to maintain and upgrade infrastructure. Ward said the good news for Wairarapa was that several regional hubs similar to Masterton had faced the challenge of getting air links re-established in recent years and had succeeded in finding operators. "They've all managed to find a carrier that met their requirements. The possibilities are out there and it just depends on getting the right combination of aircraft and operator and getting a package together," he said. Masterton businessman Gareth Norris was a regular user of the air service before it was cut almost four years ago. "It makes you feel less isolated in terms of operating a business from Wairarapa, because we could easily head off to Auckland if we needed to." An air link provided a "massive spin-off" for the region and local and central government needed to consider propping it up if necessary. "It is really stopping us from flying to great heights as a region," he said. Air New Zealand established a regular Masterton-Auckland daily service in 2009 but pulled the plug in early 2014. The national carrier said at the time it was losing $1 million a month on its regional routes served by 19-seat Beechcraft 1900D aircraft over the previous two years. The Masterton District Council was involved in efforts to re-establish an airline later that year and had two potential operators interested. The council opted to go with Vincent Aviation's bid, but the airline went into receivership soon afterwards and the service never got off the ground. A council spokesman confirmed "multiple" carriers had expressed  interest recently. The council was likely to find out in January if any of those airlines were prepared to submit a proposal.

Source : https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/100069675/masterton-serious-about-reestablishing-air-link, 22 December 2017