Origin Air replaces Sounds Air on flights to Westport and Taupo

Amid rising costs, Sounds Air dropped flights between Wellington and Westport as well as Wellington and Taupo. Managing director Andrew Crawford said while demand for flights was strong, costs to operate the flight were too high.

One of Origin Air's BAE Jetstreams in Wellington | Photo: Noah Stohr-Waldren

In October last year, Sounds Air announced they would be suspending services between Wellington and Westport amid tough economic headwinds.

Soon after, the said they would also can flights to Taupo from the Capital.

Andrew Crawford said "We have done everything that we can to avoid cancelling these services." The stated that unlike Air New Zealand, it did not receive government support - and has twice applied for funds intended for the regions but failed both times.

Sounds Air was operating the service at a loss which is unfortunately not uncommon for regional services, he said.

An Origin Air BAE Jetstream that the airline utilises on the new Taupo and Westport routes | Photo: Kiaran Parsons

Although Sounds Air has suspended the two routes, Origin Air has now began flying from the Capital to Westport and is preparing to start flights to Taupo in the near future.

This service to Taupo will run on a six-month trial basis, with the potential to increase to six days a week depending on passenger demand. Robert Inglis, Managing Director of Originair, expressed his enthusiasm about stepping in to provide this essential service for the Taupō and Wellington communities.

Taupō District Mayor, David Trewavas, welcomed Originair to the district, emphasising the importance of air services for both locals and visitors.

The regional airline already flies between Nelson and Palmerston North, Hamilton and Wellington using a fleet of three British Aerospace Jetstream 31/32s.

The Jetstream aircraft has more seats than the previous carrier's, opening up the route to more travellers, said Andrew Crawford.