Friday 15th June 2018 - The Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce supports the Kāpiti Coast District Council’s efforts to secure the Air Chathams airline for the Kapiti Coast.

The Kāpiti Coast District Council has started negotiations to financially support Air Chathams, to assist in bringing their services to Kāpiti Coast Airport.

Heather Hutchings, Chair of the Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce says local air services will play an important role in helping the regional economy thrive.

“Having an airport with regular air connections to our largest city is critical for business growth in Kāpiti and the wider region, particularly given the investment in major infrastructure like Transmission Gully.

“We support the Kāpiti Coast District Council in their efforts to secure Air Chathams for Kāpiti Airport; we’ve all been working to do this since March when Air New Zealand announced it was withdrawing its services. There will be a significant economic benefit for local businesses in having another airline operating from Paraparaumu, which I’m sure the Council will pragmatically consider in their negotiations.

“We need to maintain momentum - the lack of a local air connection is impacting Kapiti. We are proactively working alongside Air Chathams, the Kāpiti Coast District Council and Todd Property to bring air services back to Kapiti,” says Heather Hutchings, Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce Chair.

Kāpiti Coast District Council has been working to secure a viable Kāpiti-Auckland air service since March when Air New Zealand announced that they were withdrawing their services - just a week after the hugely successful Open Day at Kāpiti Coast Airport where more than 1,000 people visited to show their support for the daily flight service.

The Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce exists to advance the economy by creating wealth and employment and solve local business issues by providing a collective voice for business in Kāpiti. Over 300 members in Kāpiti belong to the Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce to stay connected, network and gain knowledge and support from our local membership.

ENDS.

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