Up to $30M in government loans for small passenger airlines to support at-risk regional air routes have come “too late” for Wānaka’s Sounds Air passenger service.

Sounds Air managing director Andrew Crawford told the Wānaka App the airline has already sold one of its aircraft and the other two are under negotiation.

“It’s too late for Wānaka and Christchurch,” he said.

After six years’ of Sounds Air lobbying the government to support regional airlines, the timing of the loan offer yesterday (Monday September 1) was “disappointing”, he said.

Andrew said the loans would be great from a long term point of view, although airlines don’t have any details yet and won’t until the end of this month.

“But it’s tragic for Wānaka,” he said. 

“It’s just so sad, especially for… healthcare. We fly a lot of very sick people.

Andrew said “Wānaka is only growing bigger and bigger”, meanwhile the road to Queenstown can be dangerous and Queenstown Airport can be “tough” to fly in and out of.

Passenger numbers for the Wānaka to Christchurch service were good, but aviation costs were “astronomical”, he said.

“In the end the passengers go ‘we just can’t pay this anymore’,” he said.

“These were all the messages we put to [the] government… It’s so frustrating.”

Regional development minister Shane Jones and associate transport minister James Meager announced concessionary loans for small airlines on Monday, saying regional carriers are under pressure from rising costs, limited access to capital, and ongoing post-Covid disruptions.

“Reliable air services are critical for the economic and social wellbeing of regional New Zealand. They enable access to healthcare, education, business, and whānau, particularly in areas where other transport options are limited,” Shane Jones said.

Without this support, some communities risk losing vital air links and potential regional development.”

Sounds Air’s passenger service from Wānaka to Christchurch will finish at the end of September. 

Lake Wānaka Tourism said the announcement was likely to have little impact on visitor arrivals for Wānaka, but a significant impact on local people who travel to access healthcare.

Read more: Air service cancellation will affect healthcare, airport review

PHOTO: Supplied