Champagne sunrise flight seeks more fizz

By VANESSA BIDOIS

TIRAU - A millennium sunrise flight for charity is struggling to attract bookings but its promoter is confident it will take off.

Tirau entrepreneur Henry Clothier has chartered an Air New Zealand 737 jet to fly from Hamilton to Gisborne to witness the first dawn on January 1.

The luxury flight includes a diversion to Christchurch for a champagne breakfast on the banks of the Avon River.

Mr Clothier said yesterday that he had been paid for only 50 of the 113 tickets priced at $650 each but was confident of filling the remaining seats.

He had underwritten the flight to the tune of $40,000 and was adamant it would take off even if some tickets were unsold.

"Most people are going to leave it until the last minute and then they're going to miss out," he said.

"My wife says, 'You've got to be nuts. What happens if we don't get anybody?'

"I said, 'Well then, you and I, darling, will have a 737 jet and we will go and see the sun'."

Profits from the luxury flight will go to the Order of St John, which was instrumental in saving the lives of Mr Clothier and his son Gavin after separate road accidents.

Mr Clothier said the passengers would be among the first on the planet to greet the new millennium and would be treated to the very best New Zealand food and wine.

The ticket price included in-flight refreshments, transport to and from the Avon River, entertainment and a champagne breakfast.

"We're trying to get a TV crew because if it's a cloudy day on the ground, nobody's going to see the sun, but we are," he said.

"You can bet your bottom dollar."