Regular flights between Wanaka and Christchurch could start “almost immediately” if there is public support for the idea, Sounds Air says. 

The airline is proposing a scheduled service with up to 15 return flights each week and up to three a day. Flying time would be approximately 45 minutes and fares could range between $169 and $279 each way. 

“This service can be up and running within six weeks,” Sounds Air said in a statement. “No additional infrastructure is required at Wanaka Airport - Sounds Air will use the existing runway, terminal building and local staff. They have aircraft on standby ready to run this service.”

The Christchurch to Wanaka service would be operated by Sounds Airs Pilatus PC12 nine-seater, pressurised aircraft, which can cruise at up to 30,000 feet with nine passengers.

But whether or not the Queenstown Airport Corporation’s existing statement of intent (SOI) allows for commercial flights remains unclear. 

Wanaka Airport

A restriction in the SOI states: "QAC has committed not to seek any expansion of the air noise boundaries at Queenstown Airport or begin development of Wanaka Airport to introduce scheduled services at this time.”

With Sounds Air’s plans to use existing infrastructure for the proposed flights, there is uncertainty over whether their plans would be captured as non-permissible, Wanaka-based councillor Quentin Smith said. 

“There’s some uncertainty as to if that was the intention of the document,” he said. “This might be somewhat ambiguous in terms of this proposal as it wouldn’t require additional development to operate.”

QAC corporate and community affairs general manager Sara Irvine did not respond directly to a question about whether Sounds Air’s proposed operations would be permitted. She said QAC was mindful of the commitments made under the SOI.

“...Sounds Air has decided to survey local community appetite for its proposed service. We look forward to hearing the results of the survey and discussing their proposal to introduce scheduled services at Wanaka Airport in due course,” she said.

Sara noted the existing SOI is not due to be reviewed until October.

The Wanaka Stakeholders Group (WSG), which has lobbied against a jet capable Wanaka Airport, has shared the Sounds Air survey and is asking its members to provide “candid, anonymous feedback”.

PHOTOS: Supplied