Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/3786-council-support-for-wanganui-wellington-air-service?unfold=1 on April 20, 2024 23:39

Council support for Wanganui-Wellington air service

A.D. COLWAY made this Official Information request to Whanganui District Council

The request was partially successful.

From: A.D. COLWAY

Dear Wanganui District Council,
Wanganui has been without a direct air service to Wellington, since Sounds Air withdrew from the service nearly a year ago. Business leaders in Wanganui have been quoted as saying this is a drawback to Wanganui's growth.

At the time Air New Zealand pulled out of Westport and Wellington-Taupo services local bodies offered a subsidy to Sounds to operate a service. I understand a similar arrangement was offered by the Whakatane local body to Air Chathams for a service to Auckland post Air New Zealand.

It appears that Sounds Air are doing well on both Taupo-Wellington and Westport-Wellington services using a Pilatus PC 12 aircraft.

At the time Sounds stopped serving Wanganui Mayor Annette was quoted as saying that council would seek another operator - to date nothing.

My questions to Council are:-

(1) Was a subsidy offered to Sounds Air and if not why not in order to keep the service.

(2) Would council consider a subsidy in order to get a service running again and benefit local business - Sounds may be prepared to include Wanganui on some of their Taupo-Wellington flights as did NAC and Air New Zealand/Eagle.

(3) During the sixteen (16) months that Sounds was operating through Wanganui how many elected officers and Council staff chose to travel to Wellington on Council business by car rather than use a convenient air service. (please note that what these people do in their private travel arrangements is not part of this request.). If they chose to drive to Wellington on Council business did they consider using the Sounds Air service and if not why not.

My last question is because it appears another large organisation in Wanganui was paying to get staff to/from Nelson by way of a Wanganui-Auckland flight, then Auckland-Christchurch flight then Christchurch-Nelson flight, when all the time Sounds had a service to Nelson via Wellington.that would have been quicker and far less costly.

A final and slightly related question is Council satisfied with the new Air Nelson/Air NZ service to and from Auckland. The timekeeping of these flights appears to be very poor especially the morning and evening flights - is Council aware of this and if so is anything being done to improve the service,

Yours faithfully,

A.D. (Don) COLWAY

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From: Paul Drake
Whanganui District Council

Good Afternoon Mr Colway

 

In response to your information request:

 

(1)    Was a subsidy offered to Sounds Air in order to keep the service
operating in Wanganui?

The Airport Board operates a commercial activity and whether a subsidy was
offered or not would be a commercial matter. Accordingly, Council declines
to answer this question pursuant to section 7(2)(b)(ii) of the Local
Government Official Information Act 1987:

“The withholding of the information is necessary to protect information
where the making available of the information would be likely unreasonably
to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is
the subject of the information”.

In council’s opinion there is little or no public interest in releasing
such information.

 

(2)    If not why not?

N/A

 

(3)    Would council consider a subsidy in order to get a service running
again?  

The Airport Board gives consideration to all commercial proposals
including Sounds Air if they were to make one.

 

(4)    During the sixteen (16) months that Sounds Air was operating
through Wanganui how many elected officers and Council staff chose to
travel to Wellington on Council business by car rather than use a
convenient air service?

Council does not hold this information.

 

(5)    If they chose to drive to Wellington on Council business did they
consider using the Sounds Air service?

Council does not hold this information; however, it is noted that Sounds
Air was promoted internally as well as other local businesses.

 

(6)    If not why not?

N/A

 

(7)    Is Council satisfied with the new Air Nelson/Air NZ service to and
from Auckland?

The Airport is satisfied with the new Air Nelson/Air NZ service. It is an
increase in seats of around 80%.  While Whanganui has lost one flight a
day it has had a net gain of seats from 76 one way to 150 one way during
week days.

 

(8)    Is Council aware of the very poor timekeeping of these flights
(especially the morning and evening flights)?

Yes; it is the Airport understanding that this is mostly due to works at
Auckland and crew issues within Air NZ.

 

(9)    If so is anything being done to improve the service?

This is a commercial matter for Air NZ.

 

 

 

Regards

 

Paul Drake | Legal Officer

 

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Paul Drake | Legal Officer
P: +64 06 349 0001 | M: +64 027 212 0633
[1]www.whanganui.govt.nz
Whanganui District Council | 101 Guyton Street | PO Box 637 | Whanganui
4500
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