Sounds air to sell aircraft and drop routes to ease financial burden

Sounds Air, a regional airline with bases in Wellington and Blenhiem, is being forced to sell several of its aircraft amid financial difficulties. As well as selling some of its aircraft, it will also cut two of its popular routes.

One of Sounds Airs PC-12s that will be sold in September | Photo: Noah Stohr-Waldren

The airline will sell all of its five remaining Pilatus PC-12 aircraft later this year in September. Due to financial troubles, the airline already had to sell of its PC-12s earlier this year.

In September, the airline will also axe its Blenhiem to Christchurch and Christchurch to Wanaka services.

The airline stated that operating costs have become to high. This has resulted in them having to make these decisions just to continue operating.

Alongside these decisions, Sounds Air will also make 10 staff member redundant amid the issues.

The airline will instead focus on its Cessna Caravan fleet and shorter flights that cross the cook straight.

“We are truly devastated that we have been forced into this position after five years of fighting for a solution,” said managing director Andrew Crawford.

He mentioned that the announcement is ironic because Sounds Air is “busier than ever.”

Last year, the airline had to end two of its routes, Wellington to Taupo and Wellington to Westport. Both routes were taken over by Origin Air who unfortunately ended the Wellington to Taupo flight after just a few months of operation.