The airline company that saved Whakatane from isolation is now coming to the rescue of another region.
Air Chathams has offered to fill the gap left by Air New Zealand when it ends its flight service between Auckland and Whanganui.
Whanganui Mayor Annette Main expressed disappointment with Air New Zealand's decision to cut flights, but she says they may have already found their knight in shining armour.
"Air Chathams has said that they're willing to replace the service. They're willing to come in the day that Air New Zealand leaves. Good news in the face of what could have been a disaster."
"These are our critical services because these connect our people to Auckland, our visitors to Whanganui that come in through the international gateway."
"We are beginning to attract people from Auckland for the lifestyle you can have here. Some people actually work in Auckland all week and come home for the weekend."
Flights between Whanganui and Wellington were ended in 2014.
Air New Zealand says there isn't enough demand. It is also canning flights between Blenheim and Christchurch.
Newshub.
