Motueka Air timetable 1985

 

Motueka Air Timetable 9 December 1985

Motueka Air Timetable 9 December 1985

Before Air Nelson was Motueka Air Services Ltd which in 1984 launched flights from Motueka to Wellington, a route which had no competition from Air New Zealand.  It saved Motueka residents from a drive to Nelson Airport, although in recent years that drive has significantly improved due to opening of the Stoke Bypass in Nelson and the Ruby Bay Bypass shortening the highway route between Motueka and Nelson. The airline notably also flew from Motueka to Takaka (a one hour drive) connecting with services to Wellington. It operated Piper Aztecs between Motueka and Wellington, but only a Cessna Skyhawk from Motueka to Takaka.

 3rd Level New Zealand has the history of the airline.  The airline eventually interlined with Ansett New Zealand. The timetable depicts a double-daily service to Wellington on weekdays and one daily on Saturday and Sunday. 

By 1988 Motueka Air merged with Air Nelson (which was founded by the same owners), but services between Motueka and Wellington terminated in 1996 when the service was sold to Associated Aviation in Paraparaumu. 

Above is the airline's fourth timetable, and at the time the airline reportedly had a 67% load factor.  Today Motueka does not appear to have a scheduled airline service, probably because the driving time to Nelson Airport makes it much less compelling as an option.  However Takaka does have a service to Wellington and Karamea with Golden Bay Air.