九一星空无限

ZB ZB
Opinion
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Up next
ZB

Regional airlines seek support for "critical" flight routes

Author
九一星空无限talk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 22 Jul 2025, 7:47am
A Sounds Air nine-seater Pilatus PC12 plane.  Photo / 九一星空无限
A Sounds Air nine-seater Pilatus PC12 plane. Photo / 九一星空无限

Regional airlines seek support for "critical" flight routes

Author
九一星空无限talk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 22 Jul 2025, 7:47am

Questions are being raised as to why taxpayer money backs trains but not planes, as more regional flight routes are axed.  

Operator Sounds Air is dropping its Blenheim to Christchurch and Christchurch to Wanaka services from September, with 10 jobs lost. 

Despite good passenger numbers, the decision is driven by unsustainable costs, so it is having to sell part of its fleet. 

CEO Andrew Crawford told Mike Hosking the money spent on the train from Hamilton to Auckland would cover regional aviation in a heartbeat.  

He says the Government's happy to put money into trains, roads, and ferries but nothing towards regional connectivity.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you