Originair's Holly Parata with a British Aerospace Jetstream aircraft. Photo /Supplied
Originair's Holly Parata with a British Aerospace Jetstream aircraft. Photo /Supplied
Tourism and business opportunities could both be boosted by the arrival of a new airline flying into Hawke's Bay, providing links to three cities, including sunny Nelson.
Nelson-based airline Originair will introduce services from Napier starting September 28, flying direct to New Plymouth and Palmerston North and via those cities on to Nelson.
"The airline has been operating from Nelson to Palmerston North for the past three years and to New Plymouth for a year and adding services to Hawke's Bay was a natural extension," Originair managing director Robert Inglis said.
"The company appreciated the passenger support received to date and while these services are not extensive, they do offer Hawke's Bay travellers another choice."
Hawke's Bay airport chief executive Stuart Ainslie said the airport was pleased to welcome Originair to Napier.
"Over the last three years we've seen significant growth of over 45 per cent in passenger numbers, mainly across the main city connections. It's important to us that we work with airline partners to grow regional connectivity across the domestic network offering more choice and flexibility."
Originair would operate direct services from Napier to New Plymouth at 4pm each Friday and Sunday to offer weekend travellers an easy option when visiting New Plymouth.
Direct services from New Plymouth to Napier will also depart on these days at 2.10pm.
The airline's marketing manager, Holly Parata, said she believed the direct 45-minute flights would offer a significant time and cost saving for travellers as it avoided transiting via Auckland or Wellington.
"These Friday and Sunday services to New Plymouth also connect on to the airlines' New Plymouth services direct to Nelson at 5.20pm.
"Flights will also operate direct from Napier to Palmerston North at 11.10am each Monday and 4pm on Wednesdays, with an easy connection on to Originair's direct flights to Nelson."
The company would continue to use its twin-turbo-prop British Aerospace Jetstream aircraft for the service.
The 18-seater aircraft were comfortable and reliable and "ideally suited" to the Originair operation, Parata said.
One of Originair's British Aerospace Jetstream aircraft. Photo / Supplied
Hawke's Bay Airport commercial manager Dean Smith said the move was an "exciting" one for the region.
"Effectively, we are going to be putting on a service between Nelson and Napier. During the week it will be via Palmerston North and at the weekend it will be via New Plymouth.
"It's more good news for the region in relation to capacity in and out of Hawke's Bay.
"We're hoping it will lead to more opportunities and more direct connection with them going forward. It's a step in the right direction for sure."
Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas also welcomed the new service.
"The introduction of additional air service from Hawke's Bay to other parts of New Zealand is fantastic news for both visitors and locals.
"Tourism spend has grown 5 per cent per annum, year end June 2018 to be $639 million, so the introduction of this service is another sign of confidence in tourism in Hawke's Bay.
"Increasing the ability to access the region creates more opportunities for growth. A huge thanks to OriginAir for introducing this service."
Wine writer Yvonne Larkin said she was looking forward to seeing the service in action as the cost of flying to Nelson had previously been prohibitive.
"It would be great If there was a more accessible and affordable way of getting to Nelson.
"I know a lot of people in Hawke's Bay with Nelson connections through business and the wine side of things but there is quite a Hawke's Bay-Nelson thing. A lot of people have huge connections but it's never been the easiest place to get to from here.
