Weather delays were not going to stop new airline competitor Kiwi Air from finally touching down at Queenstown Airport this morning.
The airline saves customers the three-and-a-half-hour drive it normally takes from Dunedin, with passengers leaving the tarmac smiling and were happy with their experience today.
Chief executive of Kiwi Regional Airlines Ewan Wilson says the last eleven months has proven to be challenging but he is proud and excited to be able to launch the airline today.
"The critical point of difference for Kiwi Regional is that we fly region to region. We have no desire to take on the likes of Air New Zealand or Jetstar It's all about connecting regional New Zealand to regional New Zealand."
Mr Wilson says it is now up to the New Zealand public to support it.
"We've all now got to work incredibly hard to make these types of services sustainable."
MP for Clutha-Southland Todd Barclay was at the airport to commemorate the occasion.
Operating under the name Kiwi Regional Airlines, the company is the first in over a decade to be issued Civil Aviation Authority's Air Operating Certificate.
Flights scheduled for the summer will depart Queenstown for Dunedin at 8:25am and 6:30pm on weekdays, 8:25am on Saturday and 6:30pm on Sunday.
Flights to Queenstown from Dunedin will depart at 7:15am and 5:20pm on weekdays, 7:15am on Saturday and 5:20pm on Sunday.
The airline also flies to and from Nelson and Hamilton.
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