Nelson-based airline Originair will begin flying between Westport and Wellington in January 2025. Photo: Supplied
A new airline will fly between Westport and Wellington from next year.
Buller District mayor Jamie Cleine said the council had reached an agreement with Nelson-based Originair, which will start services from 3 January.
Flights on the 18-seater, twin-turboprop plane will run six days a week, with morning flights leaving Westport Monday to Thursday, and afternoon flights on Fridays and Sundays for leisure travellers.
The regional airline already flies between Nelson and Palmerston North, Hamilton and Wellington.
Originair chief executive Robert Inglis said it was looking forward to developing business and leisure travel to the West Coast.
"The initial flight schedule reflects current passenger demand, but we are prepared to increase services, including connections to Nelson, as the region's needs evolve."
The route was previously served by Sounds Air.
Confirming the decision to suspend its Wellington/Westport services, Sounds Air managing director Andrew Crawford said the decision was "a regrettable outcome driven by the same challenges that continue to impact on Air New Zealand's own domestic and international services".
Air New Zealand withdrew from the route in 2016.
Sounds Air would work alongside the Buller District Council to ensure the end of its services dovetailed with the start of the new service, Crawford said.
Cleine thanked Sounds Air for their nine years of service, emphasising their role in maintaining the "critical" route.
"Sounds Air has been instrumental in connecting Buller with the capital. We recognise the challenging market conditions that have impacted the route and truly appreciate the great service they have provided over the years."
The Jetstream aircraft would have more seats than the previous carrier's, opening up the route to more travellers, he said.
"I encourage the community to champion this service as much as we can. The Buller is open for business and the more we support Originair the more sustainable and affordable the route will be for locals and our visitors."
