New Zealand’s latest airline startup has inked an agreement to take delivery of its first aircraft, and plans to start flying in September.
Kiwi Regional Airlines said it has signed a sales and purchase agreement for a Saab 340A plane from Polish airline Sprint Air.
The 36-seater aircraft is "a highly reliable and efficient commuter airliner," a company statement said.
The carrier will fly daily from Dunedin to Queenstown, said chief executive Ewan Wilson.
Fares for the route will be $134 one way, with an extra $20 for checked baggage.
Wilson, who was also the founder of now defunct Kiwi Air, said the airline’s corporate headquarters and crew base would be in Hamilton.
A three person maintenance crew is also being considered for Dunedin.
Wilson decided to establish a new regional airline following the announcement Air New Zealand was scrapping several regional routes such as Palmerston North to Nelson and Hamilton to Auckland, due to big operating losses.
