Mayor Nadine Taylor has welcomed the news that Originair is to fly morning and evening return air services between Nelson and Blenheim to help people affected by the seven-week closure of SH6 for repairs, following the August storm event.
The route will operate as a trial for the first two weeks of the closure from 1 November and will be extended to seven weeks if there is sufficient demand.
“This is great news for people who need to travel between Blenheim and Nelson, particularly health professionals who work from both the Wairau and Nelson hospital sites.”
“There are many others in our community who could benefit from this new air link and I encourage people to use it.”
The service will be provided by an 18-seat Jetstream twin-turbo prop-pressurised aircraft.
The flight schedule is:
- Leave Nelson: 7.40am - arrive Blenheim: 8.10am
- Return from Blenheim: 8.40am - arrive Nelson: 9.10am
- Leave Nelson: 4pm - arrive Blenheim 4.30pm
- Return from Blenheim: 5pm - arrive Nelson: 5.30pm
The standard one-way fare will be $89 or $99 for a flexifare (changeable and refundable). Bookings can be made online at Originair.co.nz
Mayor Taylor thanked all the parties involved: Originair; Nelson Mayor Nick Smith; Tasman Mayor Tim King; the Nelson and Marlborough airport companies and Nelson MP Rachel Boyack.