Video: Sunair launches weekday Napier –Tauranga – Hamilton service
Updated
North Island airline Sunair Aviation has today launched a new weekday services between Napier, Tauranga and Hamilton.
In a statement today, Hawke’s Bay Airport said the new services, which begin today, are the second and third new regional services from Sunair connecting Hawke’s Bay in the past 12 months.
Sunair Aviation’s schedule connects Napier to Wairoa, Gisborne, Hamilton, and Tauranga with weekday flights (five passenger capacity per flight). The new Napier - Tauranga - Hamilton connection begins Monday 29 April. Flights depart Napier at 8.30am, returning from Hamilton at 2:00pm. Depending on bookings the flight to Hamilton will be either direct, or via Tauranga.
Fares are $390 incl GST one way.
Before today, people wishing to travel to Hamilton or Tauranga had to use Air New Zealand's services via Auckland or Wellington.
Wendie Harvey, Chair Hawke’s Bay Airport, says the new Sunair services deliver on the airport’s strategic priority of developing new air service connections.
“These new services connect two fast growing regions with Hawke’s Bay and provide a viable alternative to travel by road.”
“We’re grateful to Sunair for collaborating with us, for seeing the need, for stepping up to provide these new services, and for being extremely flexible in how these services are delivered.”
“Road connections between Hawke’s Bay, Hamilton and Tauranga are challenged by road works, delays, and detours. Business travellers will especially welcome this new service,” says Harvey.
Dan Power, Flight Operations Manager Sunair Aviation, says the direct flights connecting Napier with Tauranga and Hamilton mark a significant milestone in regional connectivity.
"These new routes are tailored to strengthen the economic and social bonds between these thriving cities. By offering a reliable and swift travel solution, we're opening up new opportunities for businesses and travellers alike, making it easier than ever to navigate the heart of the North Island," he says.
Air New Zealand is the main service provider in the region, connecting Hawke’s Bay with daily flights to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Air New Zealand Acting General Manager Domestic Jeremy O’Brien said in response: “While we’re constantly monitoring demand across the network, we don’t currently have any plans to introduce more direct flights between regional centres. Hawke’s Bay customers have great connectivity to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch from where they can easily fly on to other regional destinations.”
Last month Hawke’s Bay App asked Air New Zealand’s GM Domestic, Iain Walker, what was stopping the airline flying directly between the Hawke’s Bay Airport in Napier and other regional centres like New Plymouth and Tauranga.
According to Walker, it is a simple case of economics.
“One of the reasons for that is our smallest aircraft is 50 seats. So for us to be able to operate a regular service, we need enough people flying that every day to fill 50 seats each way. And so when we look at opportunities like that, we would love to fly it, but there's just not enough passengers flying that to be able to cover the cost of flying that service.”
“We do look towards opportunities like that in the future with our next generation aircraft, but that's still a little way off as we look at the technology and what that brings.”
“Our focus has been about, particularly as we recover from COVID, how do we rebuild the services to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and then look at opportunities from there.”
Caption for Photo: Sunair pilot Paul Corrin greats Jack, the first passenger to travel on this mornings flight from Napier to Hamilton.
Watch the accompanying Sunair video from when it began services to Hawke's Bay last year.
Watch the second video to see our interview with Air New Zealand's GM Domestic, Iain Walker, last month.
