Post by flyjoe180 on Oct 12, 2007 16:11:47 GMT 12
In September an extra Beech 1900 aircraft started flying the route, which increased the number of flights per day to five.
The airline would add a Q300 aircraft, which would mean six flights to Auckland leaving Blenheim each day, from November 5 to March 28, said Air New Zealand Public Affairs communications manager Di Paton.
Two of the Beech 1900 flights would be replaced by Q300s from May which would "significantly increase" the seating capacity on the route, she said.
A Beech 1900 aircraft can seat up to 19 passengers but a Q300 can seat up to 50 passengers, making an extra 62 seats available each day.
Ms Paton said there had been an increasing demand for more flights and this was due to the economy doing well, increased tourism, business travellers and more people visiting relatives and friends.
She said the decision was two-fold; if Air New Zealand did not add the extra cap- acity people would not have the opportunity to travel and by adding the more flights and seats she hoped it would encourage more people to fly.
Marlborough Chamber of Commerce CEO Tim Leslie said it was tremendous news especially for businesses as it would enable them to go to Auckland more regularly as well as be more convenient.
Marlborough Airport Limited manager Dean Heiford said the new carpark would help accommodate the extra passengers that will no doubt be flying in and out of Blenheim.
He said he did not think it would put too much stress on the terminal but could force a re-evaluation of the facility and may even be a catalyst for a new one.
"It is definitely a positive thing for Marlborough" as it will mean more people can get from Marlborough to Auckland and vice versa, he said.
Blenheim based frequent flyer Rob Harrison said he was pleased to hear of the increasing seat capacity and he hoped this would push ticket prices down.
He said he imagined heaps of people would make use of the services and hoped it would stop passenger congestion and make it easier to get a flight during peak times such as weekends.
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4234072a6008.html
The airline would add a Q300 aircraft, which would mean six flights to Auckland leaving Blenheim each day, from November 5 to March 28, said Air New Zealand Public Affairs communications manager Di Paton.
Two of the Beech 1900 flights would be replaced by Q300s from May which would "significantly increase" the seating capacity on the route, she said.
A Beech 1900 aircraft can seat up to 19 passengers but a Q300 can seat up to 50 passengers, making an extra 62 seats available each day.
Ms Paton said there had been an increasing demand for more flights and this was due to the economy doing well, increased tourism, business travellers and more people visiting relatives and friends.
She said the decision was two-fold; if Air New Zealand did not add the extra cap- acity people would not have the opportunity to travel and by adding the more flights and seats she hoped it would encourage more people to fly.
Marlborough Chamber of Commerce CEO Tim Leslie said it was tremendous news especially for businesses as it would enable them to go to Auckland more regularly as well as be more convenient.
Marlborough Airport Limited manager Dean Heiford said the new carpark would help accommodate the extra passengers that will no doubt be flying in and out of Blenheim.
He said he did not think it would put too much stress on the terminal but could force a re-evaluation of the facility and may even be a catalyst for a new one.
"It is definitely a positive thing for Marlborough" as it will mean more people can get from Marlborough to Auckland and vice versa, he said.
Blenheim based frequent flyer Rob Harrison said he was pleased to hear of the increasing seat capacity and he hoped this would push ticket prices down.
He said he imagined heaps of people would make use of the services and hoped it would stop passenger congestion and make it easier to get a flight during peak times such as weekends.
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4234072a6008.html
