A new air service between Nelson and Blenheim is being set up to help people get between the two regions while the main state highway connecting them is closed for repairs.
Both the Nelson and Marlborough airports have waived their landing fees for the service to help lower the costs for travellers and the Nelson Mayoral Relief Fund is kicking in $10 for each seat to make it even more affordable.
The initiative comes on the back of Waka Kotahi closing State Highway 6 between Hira and Renwick for repairs to the sections of road that were significantly damaged in August’s floods. The only other route connecting the regions is via Wairau Valley, which is likely to add another hour to each trip.
The air service has only been guaranteed for two weeks from 1 November, but will be extended for the full seven weeks if there is sufficient demand.
Nelson Mayor-elect Nick Smith brokered the deal between the airports and Origin and says around 4000 vehicles use the State Highway daily.
“The greatest benefit of these flights will be less disruption to public services like health during the State Highway closure. There are dozens of health professionals that commute between Nelson and Blenheim who were facing over five hours of driving each day with little time left to see patients and provide care.
“There will also be dozens of businesspeople and other travellers who will see it as a better alternative than the long drive. There is also an environmental benefit in that the carbon emissions from flying are much less than driving a vehicle the 189km each way.”
Nick says the idea for the pop-up air service came after an approach from Nelson/Marlborough Health staff who were at loss as to how they would maintain full services while the highway was closed.
“I strongly encourage people to use this air service that we have been able to secure at short notice. People using this service will not only be reducing their travel time but will be helping others, helping us maintain health services, helping us reduce emissions and helping the local economy through this disruption.”
Origin says the flights are now available for sale with the first flight taking off on November 1. They will depart Nelson at 7.40am and 4pm and from Blenheim at 8.40am and 5pm. The flight time will be approximately 20 minutes and there will be two fares will be available, $89 or $99 (for a flexi changeable or refundable fare).
The flights will be operated using the company’s 18 seat Jetstream aircraft.
Nick says that he is grateful to Origin for setting up the service so quickly and to the mayors of Marlborough and Tasman, Nadine Taylor and Tim King for their support and the assistance of Nelson MP Rachel Boyack in securing additional funds from Government for the Mayoral Relief Fund for addressing the disruption from SH6 closure.
