Domestic airline Sounds Air will begin a service between Wellington and Whanganui from next year.
Whanganui mayor Annette Main welcomed the decision and believes it will be a good alternative to the five-hour drive for business people and travellers.
"It is also encouraging to hear that they may consider expanding the service and add more flights in the future."
The company says increasing the number of flights per day will depend on demand and how "chocka" the flights are.
Sounds Air currently flies between Wellington, Blenheim, Picton and Nelson.
The new service will help fill the void left by Air New Zealand in September, after the airline said it would stop flights between Whanganui and the capital from Christmas Eve.
"I know that recreational travellers from our district will also appreciate the return of this important link, as will visitors to the city, river, ski-fields and national parks," Ms Main says.
The new service will begin on January 21 and will fly from Whanganui at 6:45am Monday to Saturday with return flights at 6pm Sunday to Friday.
3 News
source: newshub archive
