06 December 2016

Filling the Gap



Sounds Air will offer more flights between Blenheim and Christchurch this Christmas as travellers look skyward to save themselves time on the long inland bypass. The collection of highways connecting Christchurch and Blenheim through the Lewis Pass has become the defacto main route following the closure of parts of State Highway 1. But the added distance, an extra 150 kilometres, combined with the amount of heavy vehicles using the road has made flying an attractive option for Christmas travellers. Marlborough airline Sounds Air is the only company offering direct flights between Blenheim and Christchurch, after the national carrier, Air New Zealand, pulled out of the route earlier this year. Managing director Andrew Crawford said the airline planned to offer about 20 more flights over the Christmas period, in addition to its scheduled morning and afternoon return options. "Usually I would expect the Blenheim-Christchurch route to die down over Christmas because it's predominantly a business sector," Crawford said. "But I think we're seeing more people, holidaymakers, that are going, 'we just don't want to drive'. "We're providing a 45-minute alternative to an eight-hour drive." Crawford said demand for the service was likely to continue as long as SH1 remained out of action, with the company also extending its flights in and out of Kaikoura. Sounds Air had committed to offering the service, between Blenheim, Kaikoura and Christchurch, until January 10 and would review its decision before Christmas. The only road access in and out of Kaikoura was on the Inland Rd, which was still limited, so Crawford said he expected demand to continue for some time, especially on the Blenheim-Kaikoura sector. Landing fees on its Kaikoura flights had been waived for two months by both Christchurch and Marlborough airports, as well as Airways New Zealand fees, which helped keep prices down, Crawford said. An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said the airline was conscious of the impact of the earthquakes and was liaising with the Government around recovery efforts. However, she said they had no plans to re-instate direct Blenheim-Christchurch flights, which were cancelled earlier this year due to a lack of demand. A Jetstar spokesman said the airline had not investigated flying between Nelson, or Blenheim, to Christchurch and had no plans to enter into new routes.


10 comments:

  1. Stark's Airvan ZK-FSR is also in operation around the region - perhaps wet leased by Sounds Air, or Whale Watch??

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    1. I didn't realise that Stark had two GA8s. FSS departed Hamilton today. Central Aero instead of Aeromotive.

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    2. Ah! Nor did I until now. Ex Air Safaris ZK-SAF. Was it in Stark livery?

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    3. Definitely had the blue tail. About 90% sure on the titles.

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  2. Rubbish, it is not an 8 hour drive. Have done it several times over the past few weeks, yes a few trucks but found it very hard to tell the difference compared to pre quake. It's all sensationalising. Perhaps the perception is putting leisure drivers off.

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    1. Lol you're right - Google Maps says 5 hours 35 minutes for the inland route

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    2. Haha! Looks like you guys have uncovered a scam!! This would be the first time in history a business has embellished the truth a little for marketing purposes!! Quick, run to facebook so Stuff has evidence for a news item :-) I could row a boat from Blenheim to Christchurch cheaper than driving and it would only take me a few days

      I say GO SOUNDS AIR, great airline and great service, you deserve every success

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    3. I agree, the fares are in line with operating costs, but for a bit of sensationalism let's call them extortionate and blame sounds air for having a monopoly on the route.

      I sure miss all those loss leader grab a seats tho.
      $800 return for two is slightly out of reach for many Marlborough residents. But unlike many others, I understand why, such few seats to spread the cost and every seat at the same price.

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  3. Google Maps are not correct. They don't take into account road conditions, traffic flow, terrain and rest stops. In fact, NZTA has told Google to make their 'suggested travel times' more realistic, as the Google 'drive times' have been misleading to international tourists.

    Excluding the main 4-6 lane main highways in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Christchurch, the mean average speed on a 2 lane State Highway Class 1 and 2 is 75-80Kms per hour.

    The current inland route is 7 to 8 hours not what Google says.

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    1. 7 hours at the most generally. Unless there's been a bad smash and or severe weather.

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