Air Chathams steps in as Air NZ pulls out of Whanganui

Air Chathams is stepping into the gap left by Air New Zealand pulling out of Whanganui. Air New Zealand announced on Monday it was discontinuing its Auckland-Whanganui route and Blenheim-Christchurch route. Air New Zealand GM of networks Richard Thomson said the airline had previously looked at discontinuing the Whanganui route in 2014. "While the service was marginal, at that time we believed it was worth taking a chance on Whanganui and working with the local community in an effort to stimulate demand." He said despite almost halving the average fare on the route, passengers had voted with their feet by using the nearby Palmerston North Airport, only 70 kilometres away. "The greater number of destinations, higher frequency of service and wider range of connecting options on offer at the neighbouring airport have unfortunately served to undermine demand for Whanganui services," he said. Air Chathams announced, almost simultaneously to Air New Zealand's announcement, they will be starting flights between Auckland and Whanganui as soon as Air New Zealand stops its service to the airport on July 31.<br/>