Direct weekday return flights between Hamilton and Whakatane are now on offer to travellers.
The new service, on a Piper Aztec 6-seater, was launched by Sunair this month, with Whakatane becoming the fourth Sunair destination out of Hamilton.
Waikato Regional Airport Ltd (WRAL) chief executive, Mark Morgan (pictured) said the new weekday route was a vote of confidence in Hamilton and the greater Waikato.
The region was increasingly seen as an economic powerhouse and the airport had a role in enabling economic activity and making it easier for people to do business, he said.
“Hamilton to Whakatane is a five-hour return drive, without taking road works, traffic congestion or accidents into account,” Mr Morgan said.
“So having easy, daily return flights available is great news for business people and holiday makers and of course, it’s great for the airport. Congratulations to Sunair for spotting a gap in the market and moving to fill it.”
Three commercial air carriers – soon to be four – already fly in and out of Hamilton with Air New Zealand, Sunair and Originair now operating from the port. In September last year Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas, announced it will offer seven return flights per week to and from Australia and Hamilton. The first Jetstar flights to and from the Gold Coast and Sydney are set to take off in June.
WRAL is a council-controlled organisation owned by Hamilton City, Otorohanga, Waipā, Waikato and Matamata-Piako District Councils and is the umbrella for subsidiary companies Hamilton Airport, Jet Park Hotel Hamilton Airport, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism (HWT) and Titanium Park Limited.
