Eagle Air to launch Flights between Masterton and Auckland

Air New Zealand is to launch a new direct service between Masterton and Auckland from Monday 16 February 2009. The new route will be operated six days a week by Eagle Air, a subsidiary of Air New Zealand, utilising a 19-seat Beech 1900D aircraft.

"There are a number of private and public sector businesses in Masterton that have strong connections in Auckland and elsewhere on the New Zealand network," Eagle Air General Manager Grant Kerr said. "The new schedule has been designed primarily to meet the needs of business customers, with a 7.05am departure from Masterton and an early evening return service. We will also be offering a service departing Masterton on Friday evenings to suit customers looking to spend the weekend in Auckland."

Mr Kerr hopes the new service will stimulate tourism into the Wairarapa - one of New Zealand's leading wine regions - by making it even more accessible to leisure travellers.

"Wairarapa region is an extremely attractive destination for both New Zealand and international travellers. Customers wanting to spend a weekend in wine country or attend events such as Toast Martinborough will now have the advantage of being able to fly into the region directly, rather than having to fly into Wellington or Palmerston North and then travel by road," he said.

Lead-in online fares between Masterton and Auckland begin from $105 one way per person and will be available for purchase on www.airnewzealand.co.nz from mid October.

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