Kiwi Regional Airlines: New Domestic Airline to link regional centres

New player Kiwi Regional Airlines (KRA) has announced plans for regular passenger air services between a series of regional centres in both North and South Islands.

The flights will commence towards the end of 2015 or at the start of 2016, initially with two aircraft, and later with a third; to be flown by SAAB 340 34-seater aircraft – a twin-engine, twin-pilot, pressurised aircraft. All flights will be subject to regulatory approval.

The starting point of one route is ‘North Shore’ and will be flown from Whenuapai airbase, subject to RNZAF approval and other consent processes. The joint military-commercial use of RNZAF facilities is already well-established at Blenheim, and Whenuapai itself was such a joint facility for nearly 20 years until 1965.

Three routes are planned initially (see attached route map), but KRA Chief Executive Ewan Wilson said “approaches from, and discussions with other regional centres show there is a greater demand, and we are actively considering other possibilities.”

Mr Wilson said he was “thrilled to be able to offer regional New Zealand important direct routes that have either not been flown before, or are being exited by the national carrier.”

“Our name says a lot – regional New Zealand has been left off the air route map unless you want to travel to the three largest centres.

“We intend to complement existing offerings; to fill the gaps and to make travel between regional centres as fast and affordable as possible.

“We will not be competing directly with the national carrier.

“As well as improved opportunities for travellers, we expect our operations will create employment and tourism opportunities, and we are in consultation with relevant organisations in the different regions we will service about these opportunities,” said Mr Wilson.

KRA’s corporate headquarters will be in Hamilton, where Mr Wilson is based.