Sounds Air (S8), a regional airline based out of Picton's Koromiko Aerodrome (PCN) in the Marlborough Sounds of New Zealand, has been creating its own niche of lucrative routes throughout regional New Zealand.

A slice of New Zealand history

Sounds Air was started by Cliff and Diane Marchant in 1987. They had a vision of providing low-cost interisland transport to provide locals and tourists with easy access to the Marlborough Sounds. Since then, over 175,000 crossings have been completed of the Cook Strait to its own airport at Picton's Koromiko Aerodrome, in addition to Blenheim (BHE), Nelson (NSN), Westport (WSZ), and Paraparaumu (PPQ).

A sounds air pilot flying past another plane
Sounds Air has been connecting regional New Zealand for over 30 years. Photo: Sounds Air

More recently, Sounds Air has begun flying Blenheim to Christchurch (CHC), Christchurch to Wanaka (WKA), Wellington to Westport, and Wellington to Taupo (TUO).

The airline runs a fleet of four Cessna Caravans and six Pilatus PC12s. These aircraft are single-engine, turbine-powered, and ideal for these regional routes, providing high levels of passenger safety and comfort and being sturdy and reliable aircraft to operate. The Pilatus PC-12 is the best-selling pressurized single-engine turboprop-powered aircraft in the world.

Sounds Air airplane
Photo: Buller District Council

Air New Zealand's loss is Sounds Air's gain

Air New Zealand's decision to cancel regional services from Wellington to Westport, Wellington to Taupo, and Blenheim to Christchurch, has allowed Sound's Air to step in and connect with regional councils to provide direct services to these regional communities.

Sounds Air formerly served Kaikoura (KBZ), Napier (NPE) and Whanganui (WAG) from Wellington, Napier from Blenheim and Paraparaumu from Picton. A service to Masterton (MRO) had been considered from Wellington; however, no such service was launched because the town wanted the link to Auckland (AKL) reinstated instead.

In addition to scheduled flights, Sounds Air offers scenic flights over the Marlborough Sounds and Abel Tasman National Park. The airline started temporary services to Kaikoura from Christchurch and Blenheim on November 21, 2016, following the Kaikoura earthquake. The Kaikoura to Christchurch flights ceased on January 27, 2017. Sounds Air commenced Christchurch to Wānaka, another former Air New Zealand route, on November 2, 2020.

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Current schedule

Sounds Air currently operates the following schedule:

  • Wellington (WLG) to Picton (PCN) - 23 flights per week
  • Wellington (WLG) to Nelson (NSN) - 18 flights per week - in direct competition with Air New Zealand
  • Wellington (WLG) to Blenheim (BHE) - 44 flights per week - in direct competition with Air New Zealand
  • Blenheim (BHE) to Paraparaumu (PPQ) - four flights per week
  • Nelson (NSN) to Paraparaumu (PPQ) - three flights per week
  • Wellington (WLG) to Westport (WSZ) - 15 flights per week
  • Wellington (WLG) to Taupo (TUO) - 15 flights per week
  • Blenheim (BHE) to Christchurch (CHC) - 17 flights per week
  • Christchurch (CHC) to Wanaka (WKA) - 12 flights per week

HEart Aerospace ES-30 Electric aircraft by 2028

Electric passenger planes are set to feature on departure boards in New Zealand within six years. Sounds Air has announced plans to be the first Australasian airline offering electric-powered flights. Working with the Swedish company Heart Aerospace, it has signed a letter of intent to introduce the 30-seater ES-30 aircraft. It plans to have the aircraft set for take-off by 2028, and eventually convert to an all-electric fleet.

Source: Sounds Air, Buller District Council, Radio New Zealand