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by David Gibbs, former GM of Lakes Weekly

Running a regional airline is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a high-cost, high-risk business with very little margin for error. While Air New Zealand happily scoops up the profitable main routes, smaller communities like Wānaka are left reliant on independent operators with the courage and financial stamina to fill the gaps.

For the past five years, Sounds Air has done just that, running a reliable and well-supported thrice-daily service between Wānaka and Christchurch. But come the end of September, that lifeline will end. The airline has announced it’s pulling the plug, citing massive cost increases. Ten good local jobs will also be lost. The whole community however loses far more.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t due to lack of demand. The service was well-used by businesspeople, families, and more crucially, those travelling for urgent health appointments in Christchurch. Yes, fares weren’t cheap. But neither is driving 90 minutes to Queenstown and dealing with the increasingly stretched infrastructure there. Ten minutes to Wānaka Airport, and you’re airborne and free parking.

The timing couldn’t be worse. The Wānaka Airport community engagement process is just wrapping up, and this announcement throws a spotlight on the consequences for any other potential operator. Once an airline leaves, it almost never returns. Losing this service is a massive setback for the Upper Clutha - and one Queenstown should care about. Why? Because the fallout will also impact Queenstown.

More Wānaka travellers now need to cross the Crown Range, adding pressure to already congested Lake Hayes and Frankton roads. The Crown Range itself is a narrow, winding alpine road - beautiful, yes, but increasingly busy and not without risk. It’s a growing piece of infrastructure under strain, with a rising number of accidents and limited capacity to safely absorb more commuter traffic. Queenstown Airport - already creaking under the weight of ever-increasing demand - becomes the only option. That means more vehicles, more carbon emissions, and more frustration for Queenstown locals.

Health is another hidden casualty. Wānaka has limited health services, with unmet needs and long-standing barriers to access. For many, the Sounds Air route was a bridge to essential care. Its loss is not just inconvenient - it’s heartbreaking.

This is more than just the end of a flight service. It’s a stark reminder that without serious investment in regional infrastructure - including realistic options for air connectivity - small communities will continue to be left behind. And when that happens, the pressure shifts elsewhere. Queenstown, that pressure is now on you. The region needs a serious conversation about shared infrastructure, equitable access, and how we support resilient, connected communities. Because when Wānaka loses, the ripple effects don’t stop at the Crown Range.