Air NZ cuts boon for Wanganui

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Cheaper and more flexible fares and bigger aircraft are in the mix for Wanganui and other regional airports serviced by Air NZ.

The changes follow a decision by Air NZ to cut services altogether to Kaitaia, Whakatane and Westport before April next year. But those cuts are expected to bring a bonuses to Wanganui and similar airports.

Christopher Luxon, Air NZ CEO, said the company will spend $300 million upgrading its fleet. That means progressively phasing out 18-seater Beechcraft planes and buying 13 50-seater Bombardier Q300s.

The airline has not signalled any amendments to that schedule at this stage.

Mr Luxon said when the airline used larger planes on domestic routes it was able to reduce fares by around 15 per cent.

"This is good news for towns like Wanganui," he said.

The airline would be launching a new "Regional Gotta Go" fare to give regional passengers flexibility for last minute travel. It will have a flat rate of $169 for a one-way trip (Wanganui to Auckland) or $249 for a connecting trip (Palmerston North to Timaru connecting via Wellington). From February these fares can be bought from 90 minutes before departure.

Michael O'Malley, a director of House of Travel Wanganui, said it was "great news".

"As well as additional capacity it secures our future services in and out of the city and hopefully scheduling won't be reduced. It will also mean more seats at cheaper fares which are currently really getting hard to secure now with demand out of the city," Mr O'Malley said.