KEY POINTS:
Air New Zealand is launching a six month trial of a direct service between Whakatane and Wellington.
The new six days a week service will be operated by Air New Zealand subsidiary Eagle Air, which will trial the route for six months from May 19, using a 19-seat Beech 1900D aircraft.
General Manager Grant Kerr says the service is in response to strong demand from Whakatane travellers, who currently travel to and from Wellington via Auckland, Rotorua or Tauranga. He says it will reduce travel time for Whakatane customers by at least an hour.
Mayor of Whakatane Colin Holmes says despite the service being a trial, he believes the Eastern Bay of Plenty is the growth area of the future and that the service will become permanent.
Air New Zealand last operated the route in 1999, but it was not sustainable at that time.
One-way smart saver fares will be available from $99.
- NEWSTALK ZB
