Air N.Z. alters Timaru flight

Press, 29 September 1988, Page 5

Air N.Z. alters Timaru flight

By DAVE WILSON Air New Zealand will cease its midday Wellington-Timaru air service and replace it with an afternoon Christchurch-Timaru link, to be run by Air Nelson. A 19-seat, turbo-prop Metro 111 will fly the route, replacing the Friendships on the noon WellingtonTimaru link. Announcing the change yesterday, Air New Zealand’s southern regional manager, Mr Paul Bowe, said the change-over would take effect from October 31. Air New Zealand would continue its early-morning and evening

Friendship services between Oamaru-Timaru and Wellington. Mr Bowe said the changes in the Timaru service reflected the airline’s review of all provincial services as a result of the formation of an alliance between the airline and regional operators, Eagle Air and Air Nelson. In the South Island, Air Nelson is taking over several former Friendship routes, including the Westport and Hokitika routes, and beginning new services between Christchurch and Nelson. These changes are also scheduled for October 31.

Mr Bowe said the new Christ-church-Timaru service would leave Christchurch at 3.15 p.m. and return from Timaru at 4.05 p.m. "It has been timed to allow for connections south with flights from Wellington and Auckland. Air Nelson’s aircraft will fit in well with freight and passenger demand in Timaru.” Local-body and business interests in South Canterbury have been lobbying for several years to have a Christchurch-Timaru air link. At present South Canterbury passengers can fly only to Oamaru or Wellington from Timaru.