Air Chathams suspends Kapiti-Auckland route amid soaring costs

Regional airline Air Chathams will suspend its route between the Kapiti Coast and Auckland amid a continued spike in operating costs.

The route will officially close on July 31, eight years after its introduction in 2018.

Air Chathams chief executive Duane Emeny said the decision was “tough”, but necessary to protect its other routes.

“The last five years have seen operating costs in every part of the business rise dramatically.”

Due to price hikes in many sectors, such as aircraft maintenance, labour, airport charges and fuel prices, Air Chathams loses money every time they run the route.

“The unprecedented recent rise in fuel costs comes on top of an already challenging situation,” Emeny said.

Jet fuel prices have increased for airlines since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with providers like Air NZ having to reduce flights domestically.

Up until the route closure, Air Chathams has been the only airline to offer direct flights between Paraparaumu and Auckland.

The aircraft currently stationed at Kapiti will be reallocated to other routes, including connections from Auckland to Whakātane, Whanganui and the Chatham Islands.

Despite no sign of improving conditions, Emeny is hopeful that the Kapiti route will be reintroduced, calling it a “fantastic service” for families and businesses.

“We’d love to come back to Kapiti, and when conditions are right, we’re happy to look at it again.”

Until the July 31 closure, Kapiti routes to Auckland will be run on a reduced schedule.