Business Professionals Encouraged To Fly From Kāpiti

Kāpiti, Friday 23 February 2018 - Kāpiti and Porirua local business professionals are being invited to get behind the daily flight service from Paraparaumu to Auckland and support the Open Day at Kapiti Coast Airport.

The Open Day will be held on 3 March, in partnership with Air New Zealand, the Kāpiti Coast District Council, and the Kāpiti and Porirua Chambers of Commerce. A chance for the community to get up and personal with this vital service, the event builds on the work already underway by both Chambers to drive passenger demand for the Kāpiti to Auckland link.

“We consider our daily connection to Auckland critical infrastructure. It plays an important role in our wider regional economic growth. We’re really pleased to hear anecdotally more people are choosing to fly from Kāpiti - but we can always do more to encourage local businesses to capitalise on the convenience of flying from Paraparaumu” says Heather Hutchings, Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce Chair.

The Kāpiti and Porirua Chambers began working together in 2017 to drive passenger demand, in response to a challenge issued by Air New Zealand for Kāpiti to create a compelling narrative they can promote on behalf of the region.

“We would like business professionals who regularly fly to Auckland to consider flying from Kāpiti instead of Wellington. We are pleased to support the Open Day - this is just one of the initiatives underway to drive better awareness of the Kāpiti to Auckland route and the convenience it offers,” says Heather Hutchings.

Former Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett has used the service with his regular travel to and from Auckland.

“Earlier this week, we had a full flight south to Kapiti, I was off the plane and into the car in under a minute and home to Paremata in twenty-five minutes. The alternative at Wellington would have taken a lot longer through airport construction and building peak hour traffic.”

Tracy Johnson, Porirua Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, says Kāpiti Coast Airport will become even more important to Porirua in the years to come.

“We have the third-highest household income in New Zealand, with a high volume of business travellers commuting each day to Wellington Airport. We will be even more closely connected once Transmission Gully is completed. It makes sense for us to encourage our members to consider travelling from Kāpiti, and taking advantage of everything the airport offers,” says Tracy Johnson.

Ian Collier, Air New Zealand Regional Affairs Manager, says he hopes the Open Day attracts both leisure and business travellers alike.

“We have been working closely with the Chambers and Council to grow awareness for the direct Kāpiti Coast – Auckland link and initiatives such as the upcoming Open Day are a great opportunity to highlight the service to the local community whether they may need to travel for business or leisure. We’re looking forward to attending the event and engaging with the community,” says Ian Collier.

The Open Day, which is being supported by Kapiti Coast Airport, begins at 12pm and will run for approximately two hours. There will be an opportunity to win two return Air New Zealand flights to Auckland, check out some of the tourism opportunities on offer in Kapiti, take a behind the scenes tour and go on board an Air New Zealand Q300 aircraft.

ABOUT KĀPITI COAST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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.

ABOUT THE PORIRUA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Porirua Chamber of Commerce exists to instigate, stimulate and influence business vitality business vitality and excellence in Porirua City. As the business voice on issues of local importance, it believes that a healthy and vibrant business sector is fundamentally important to the advancement of the city.

ENDS

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