Sounds Air remains confident its proposed daily passenger service between Wanaka and Christchurch airports would be well supported.

Sounds Air managing director Andrew Crawford advised the Wanaka App earlier this week: “We are currently in discussions with Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) about the proposed service and are hopeful that we will be able to progress this as quickly as possible so that we can help get Wanaka and Christchurch people and businesses moving.”

The interregional airline company is proposing a scheduled direct service between Wanaka and Christchurch airports, with plans for up to three services per day and up to 15 return flights a week initially. 

A recent survey commissioned by Sounds Air indicated 90 percent support for the proposal.

Sounds Air managing director Andrew Crawford said the survey was conducted to better understand the support the proposed service might expect, both within the Wanaka community, and from those who may use the service from the Christchurch end. 

The survey was shared on Sounds Air’s existing customer database group and social media pages but to ensure a cross-section of Upper Clutha people were also consulted, the survey was also shared on the Upper Clutha Community Notices as well as various local residents’ associations, including the Facebook groups for Luggate and Hawea.  

The Pilatus PC12 turbo-prop is known for its ability to operate from short runways and climb quickly to high altitude. PHOTO: Supplied

The Wanaka Stakeholders Group also shared it on its database and social media platforms and it was sent to media outlets Crux and Stuff.  

Conducted online over a week in June, there were 3,685 respondents, comprising 1,446 (39%) people who live in or own a home in Wanaka, and 2,234 (61%) who live outside the region. 

“We were pleased with the number of responses,” Andrew said. “The survey results showed very strong support for the proposed service, and the results from within the Upper Clutha region were very much in line with the results from outside of that region.  

“On that basis, we are confident that a daily, scheduled service between Wanaka and Christchurch would be well-supported,” he said.

Sounds Air is not a big commercial player, Andrew said, but its success relies on the relationships it builds in the communities it flies to, “which means understanding and meeting each community's needs”. 

“It is clear from this survey that an important aspect of this service for the Wanaka community is the fact that it would use the existing facilities at Wanaka Airport with no requirement to invest in additional infrastructure.” 

QAC communications manager Sara Irvine said QAC is open to discussing with Sounds Air its proposed Wanaka-Christchurch service.  

“We will also need to consult with QLDC and address the commitment in our current Statement of Intent (SOI) regarding the introduction of scheduled services at Wanaka Airport. This will likely occur as part of the SOI revision process over the coming months,” she said.

The Wanaka-Christchurch proposal will mean it is possible to make a same day return trip between the two locations. Flight times between airports is about 45 minutes and the route will be serviced by Sounds Air's Pilatus PC12 turbo-prop aircraft which seats nine passengers. 

Sounds Air has its headquarters in Picton and operates scheduled air services linking Wellington, Christchurch, Picton, Blenheim, Taupo, Westport, Nelson and Kāpiti. It has been operating since 1987.