Originair To Fly Between Palmerston North And Nelson

Originair winged back into Palmerston North on Friday afternoon, reviving a regular service between the city and Nelson after a five-month break.

The small airline began flying between the two centres in August 2015 after Air New Zealand had withdrawn its service earlier in the year.

But the airline was grounded in April when the Civil Aviation Authority placed temporary restrictions stopping Air Freight NZ Ltd from operating Originair's planes.

As the link resumed, a small nine-seater aircraft operated by Air2There would be flying the route for Originair.

The larger JetStream would move back into service within a few months.

Originair managing director Robert Inglis said he could not be more pleased about the timing of the return of the service this weekend.

"If it had been last weekend, we would not have got off the ground, as Nelson Airport was closed by weather last Friday and Saturday."

Originair had not been a complete stranger to Palmerston North during the break, providing some charter services.

He said the plan was to slowly start building up the service to higher frequency during the high summer season.

"The support is stronger for the Friday to Sunday market at the moment, but we will start to build the schedule."

Inglis said so far there was good support for seats on the flights in both directions.

Palmerston North Airport chief executive David Lanham said it was good to see another route restored.

He said the schedule was initially targeted toward a seasonal, leisure market, and he hoped it would be extended to cater for the business market.

"It is a really welcome return of a connection that proved very popular.

"Robert Inglis and his team have been working really hard to get this far. It's hard for the little guys out there, and we really hope they can consolidate and grow."

The initial schedule would see Originair flying from Nelson to Palmerston North on Monday and Wednesday early in the morning, and mid-afternoon on Fridays and Sundays.

The aircraft would return from Palmerston North to Nelson on Monday and Wednesday mornings, Friday and Sunday afternoons.

NEW ZEALAND: Kiwi Regional Airlines Starts Selling Regional Airfares

Kiwi Regional Airlines has started selling tickets for services between four centres despite being uncertified.

The airline has also released photos of its 34-seat SAAB 340A aircraft before it undergoes a paint job.

Hamilton city councillor and Kiwi Regional Airlines (KRA) chief executive Ewan Wilson said from October 27, subject to regulatory approval, KRA would begin servicing Dunedin, Queenstown, Nelson and Hamilton.

Fares went on sale on Wednesday for services between Hamilton and Nelson, Nelson and Dunedin, and Queenstown and Dunedin.

Dunedin to Queenstown fares started at $99, Hamilton to Nelson fares started at $139 and Dunedin to Nelson fares started at $149.

"Fares on Kiwi flights will be completely transparent, with no unexpected add-ons," Wilson said.

There would be no taxes, credit card charges or other fees added automatically when customers booked online, he said.

"What you see on your computer or phone screen will be what you are charged."

KRA would not increase fares closer to flight dates, he said.

Wilson, who founded the failed no-frills trans-Tasman Kiwi International Airlines in 1994, has previously said KRA would not fly on existing direct Air New Zealand routes.

The airline has previously indicated it wants to service Tauranga, Blenheim and Palmerston North and Auckland's North Shore using Whenuapai airbase.

But for that Wilson would need approval from Royal New Zealand Air Force approval and other consents.