Restoring flights to regional NZ: why it’s so hard

Chatham Air's CCO Duane Emeny – running a tough business. (Image: NZME)

Thu, 15 May 2025

Concessionary government loans to regional airlines, investment by regional airports in attracting services, and seamless connection between regional and international airline booking systems are among the steps required to secure the future of uncommercial regional air services.Those are broad conclusions that emerge from in-depth research into the state of regional aviation in New Zealand by consulting firm WSP for the Airports Association of NZ.Published for its “Airports Day” with regional airport operators this week, the report...

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