Kiwi Regional Airlines is touring the country a week out from the start of its scheduled commercial flights.
Bringing an opportunity to see NZ's newest Kiwi owned and operated airline, the Kiwi Regional Airlines SAAB 340A will leave from Hamilton and touch down in New Plymouth, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown to reposition ahead of its proving flight with the Civil Aviation Authority on Monday.
For aviation enthusiasts and the general public in New Plymouth and Christchurch, this may be their only chance for some time to see Kiwi's SAAB, with the initial route offering pairing Hamilton, Nelson, Dunedin and Queenstown.
"Ultimately we would like to be able to connect as many regional centres as possible, and the feedback we've been receiving from the public is that they would be very pleased if we could." said Ewan Wilson, the airline's CEO. "However we do have a unique opportunity ahead of our regulatory proving flight to land and enjoy New Plymouth and Christchurch, which we're really looking forward to" Wilson will be one of the passengers aboard the flight along with other Kiwi Regional Airlines staff.
"For our pilots it's a fantastic chance to put the SAAB through its paces and make a real journey out of it. It's also a great opportunity to touch base in a few different communities and tour a large part of the country." A non-affiliated Facebook page has been set up by New Plymouth residents calling for the airline to place it ou their route-map. The page is now almost at 1000 likes.
