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Source: Reuters
Wanaka will soon be a more accessible destination, following an Air New Zealand announcement that the number of flights in and out of the area are going to be increased.
The additional services are on sale from today, and will be operated by the company's Eagle Air.
Air New Zealand said the move comes in response to feedback on the demand for flights at times that suit the increasing numbers of both business and leisure travellers.
Under the current schedule one flight is operated each way Monday to Saturday and two flights on a Sunday.
The new services will be trialled for 3 to 6 months, and will increase the number of flights by 40%.
Two flights will be offered each way on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and one flight each way on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Eagle Air general manager Carrie Hurihanganui said the capacity of existing flights persuaded the company to make the move.
"The solid patronage of the direct service between Christchurch and Wanaka clearly showed us that one non-stop flight per day needed to be reviewed.
"The trial will give us the opportunity to gauge the level of local support we receive for the retimed and additional flights," she said.
Hurihanganui also expects the additional services to provide improved connections to flights domestically and internationally.
The flights will be operated by the same 19-seater Beech 1900D aircraft as used on the current service, and the new flight schedule is available for travel from August 30.
