New direct flights connect North Shore and Whangarei

May 20, 2008

North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams says the new daily air service between North Shore and Whangarei is great news for the city. "It puts us on the map as an air travel destination and is a very innovative approach utilising a small rural airfield to the north of North Shore City.

"The link with the Northern Busway provides travellers with a seamless connection to the North Shore and on to Auckland City. The service makes business and leisure travel to and from Northland so much easier and quicker."

The Salt Air Xpress is being operated by Paihia-based Salt Air and kicked off last Monday, May 19. There are three return flights daily between North Shore Airfield, Dairy Flat, and Whangarei, using Cessna 208B Grand Caravan turbo prop aircraft. On Fridays the flights also go further north to Kerikeri.

Passengers arriving at Dairy Flat are met by a free shuttle bus which takes them along the high-speed Northern Busway to Smales Farm station and then on to the CBD in Auckland City. The buses also make the return journey, picking up passengers from Auckland City and Smales Farm for the outgoing flights.

Mayor Williams says the service will be of particular benefit to business people who are short on time. It provides a flexible service using small commuter flights which will save people queuing in traffic on the Northern Motorway. "These days, nothing is of more value to busy people than saving time.

"I welcome all initiatives which increase the connections between North Shore and other parts of the country and I congratulate Salt Air on this great innovation," says Mayor Williams.

ENDS

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