Air Chathams Welcomes Government Announcement To Support Regional Airlines

Air Chathams is welcoming the Government’s latest announcement of new financial support for regional airlines.

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Associate Transport Minister James Meager announced this update this morning.

"The Coalition Government will support at risk regional air routes with up to $30 million in loans from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for small passenger airlines," Jones and Meager said.

Air Chathams have noted that the announcement "is a long-awaited recognition of the essential role regional air services play in keeping New Zealand connected,"

“This is a very welcome day for our airline, our people, and the communities we serve,” Air Chathams Chief Executive Duane Emeny says.

“For many of the regions we fly to, air services are not a luxury – they are the only reliable means of connecting people with family, work, health, and tourism. Today’s announcement is a clear recognition by the Government that regional connectivity is as critical to New Zealand as road, rail, and sea transport,”

"People in Whakatāne, Whanganui, Kapiti, and the Chatham Islands will be breathing a sigh of relief today,"

"Once full details are known, this support will likely ensure surety in maintaining their essential air connections, and provides a platform to rebuild and grow regional air services for the future," Emeny says.