An Air New Zealand plane had its wheels on the ground at Whakatāne Airport yesterday as a new partnership with Air Chathams was announced.

From December, customers travelling from Whakatāne will be able to book just one ticket for their trip connecting to Air New Zealand’s domestic network.

Checked baggage will also be transferred to their final destination.

The interline agreement is hoped to make travelling easier and strengthen connections with the region.

The announcement yesterday was attended by mana whenua Taiwhakaea, airline representatives, local businesspeople and dignitaries.

Air Chathams chief executive Duane Emeny described the day as a milestone for the Eastern Bay of Plenty and regional connectivity in New Zealand.

He acknowledged the Government’s recently announced Aviation Activation Plan and Regional Infrastructure Fund for helping the airline restore the route, and Whakatāne District Council for its investment in the airport.

“And to Air New Zealand, we thank you for doing the right thing and supporting this interline agreement with Air Chathams,” Mr Emeny said.

“Like us, you are a commercial business, and while every small regional town with an airport would like to see your tail flying in and out, it’s simply not feasible for you to do everything, everywhere.”

Mr Emeny said interline agreements meant smaller towns were being put back on the map.

Air New Zealand chief transformation and alliances officer Mike Williams said the idea for an interline partnership was initially discussed by him and Mr Emeny five years ago.

“A little thing called Covid got in the way, but good things take time. I’m very proud to be able to welcome this new relationship between Air Chathams and Air New Zealand.

“It marks a lot of perseverance and determination.”

Mr Williams particularly acknowledged the perseverance by Mr Emeny, former Air Chathams chief executive Craig Emeny, and the rest of their team.

“In my opinion, today marks the beginning of a new chapter. It’s a new chapter for domestic aviation, a chapter of connection between airlines, between communities and between people.”

He said the importance of the regions was something that needed to be reinforced.

“Regions like Whakatāne are the beating heart of Aotearoa, and regional air services then are the lifeblood between these different regions,” Mr Williams said.

“They bring goods to market and tourists to town. They bring patients to care, connect families, and bring family home.”

Whakatāne is Air Chathams’ second highest frequency route.

Regional aviation is facing critical challenges that are felt by the communities served by airlines, as well as the airlines themselves, Mr Williams said.

Interline arrangements are a means of deepening the connection between airlines and communities, he said.

“We prosper together.”

Associate Transport Minister James Meager travelled to Whakatāne from Timaru, via Wellington and Tauranga, which he said symbolised why everyone was gathered yesterday.

He noted that five years was a long engagement, and he was pleased the airlines could come together to tie the knot.

Mr Meager said he hoped the agreement would be just the start of many more to come.

Although the Government had provided assistance to support the agreement, he said ultimately it came down to the work of the two airlines.

“We are here today because Air New Zealand and Air Chathams decided without government intervention to make this happen.”

He saw it as a great sign of businesses doing the right thing, allowing great things to happen.

Mayor elect Nandor Tanczos said the importance of the agreement could not be overstated.

“This is a really significant event for our community in terms of the air interconnectivity this provides for us.”

He said the council had advocated for an interline agreement for several years.