Origin Air to pull out of Wellington to Taupo route after just three months

Originair has cancelled its Taupō to Wellington service, leaving the central North Island city without any direct flights to the capital. The Nelson-based airline only recently started flying the route in February after Sounds Air had to axe the service do to financial pressure.

One of Origin Air’s Jetstream 32’s departing the capital | Photo: Noah Stohr-Waldren

The Originair website now no longer shows any flights between the two cities after May 26.

Taupō District Mayor David Trewavas said it was unfortunate that the airline could not make it work.

“We thank them for giving it a go but, unfortunately, the forward bookings just didn't stack up for what they needed for their business.” Trewavas also said connectivity to the capital was “so important” so the council will be actively looking to find another operator.

In February, after the airline touched down on its inaugural flight between the centres, Rachel Moffitt, Originair’s head of marketing, said there had been a "positive reception from local businesses and residents“ and showed ”the potential for this route to thrive.”

In November, Sounds Air managing director Andrew Crawford said the decision to axe the Taupō service was “a very tough call” but necessary. He said escalating costs since Covid-19 had put “an enormous squeeze” on the airline’s margins. “We simply can’t keep passing massive fare increases on to travellers.”

Earlier this year, Originair also began flying between the capital and Westport after Sounds air cut the route. Will this route also see the same short lived fate or continue to thrive?