Latest news with #aviationcosts
RNZ News
an hour ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Barrier Air CEO on the challenge of keeping fares down
transport about 1 hour ago The Chief Executive of Barrier Air, says keeping fares down is a huge challenge, with the cost of aircraft parts up five-fold since Covid. Barrier Air flies to Great Barrier Island, The Far North, Whitianga and Tauranga. Small regional airlines are struggling - Sounds Air is cutting two regional services and selling aircraft, while Chatham Air is considering cutting back services, because of mounting costs. The latest is a hike in the price of air traffic control, charged by Airways NZ, which follows a rise in Civil Aviation levies. Barrier Air Chief Executive Grant Bacon says his airline staff are often verbally abused by passengers for the cost of their airfares, but they are doing everything they can to keep prices down. Kathryn also speaks with Simon Wallace, Chief Executive of the Aviation Industry Association, which says the government needs to step in to support regional air travel.
RNZ News
20-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Sounds Air to cut services
Regional airline Sounds Air says it is retrenching its services to focus on its viability. It is ending its Blenheim to Christchurch services, as well as its Christchurch to Wanaka services from September 28. That comes after the company withdrew its Wellington to Taupo and Wellington to Westport trips in December 2024. Sounds Air says aviation has been hit by escalating costs and a low dollar that have combined to trouble the viability of all regional airlines. The company is reverting to its roots, starting in 1987, as an airline providing services between the North and South Islands across Cook Strait. Andrew Crawford is the managing director of Sounds Air. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
