Wing and prayer for Wairarapa flights

COME FLY WITH ME: Former Masterton Mayor Garry Daniell, left, and Sounds Air managing director Andrew Crawford beside a Cessna Caravan at Masterton Airport in September.

Plans for flights between Wellington and Masterton are up in the air as Wanganui may be getting the plane earmarked for the service.

In September, Air New Zealand announced it was axing its Masterton-Auckland route next year, blaming uneconomic operations and lack of demand.

The airline is also cutting its flights between Wanganui and Wellington next month.

Picton-based Sounds Air has stepped in with bids to provide alternative services for both towns.

It proposes to run a 12-seat Cessna Caravan for morning and evening flights from Masterton to Wellington airport for a flat rate of $95 per flight, allowing passengers to transfer onwards.

However, the same plane is being offered for the Wanganui-Wellington service.

Sounds Air General manager Andrew Crawford said the service from Masterton was still on the cards.

"We've been looking at Wanganui and Masterton to see which is going to be better."

A decision will be made public next week, he said.

Wanganui mayor Annette Main told the Wanganui Chronicle the possibility of a replacement air service for the town was welcome news.

"We look forward to Sounds Air's confirmation of the introduction of a service next year."

Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson said at the end of the day, it was up to the airline.

"That's the decision Sounds Air will make on a commercial basis."

She was not overly concerned if the plane went to Wanganui as she believes the best long-term solution is to have a direct link to Auckland, rather than Wellington.

"Ideally the direct link between Masterton and Auckland is what we need to have reinstated.

"My preference will always be to have a direct link, that's what has to happen."

Wairarapa MP John Hayes has been in talks with other flight providers about filling the gap Air New Zealand would leave.

In October, he said he was seeking community support to show potential providers the Auckland-Masterton link was viable.

Mr Hayes said the size of some of the providers' planes meant the Masterton airport runway would have to be extended. "We have a number of issues to work through, including whether the present runway will be sufficient for different types of aircraft than those used by Air New Zealand."

Mr Hayes said he was looking for a firm understanding of who would use the service, when, and how often at a price of about $300 for a one-way trip to or from Auckland.