• Air New Zealand has decided to resume services on the routes of Auckland to Taupo and Wellington to Timaru.
   
• The mayors of both Taupo and Timaru have welcomed this decision and expressed their satisfaction at the resumption of these service.

Air New Zealand has finally decided to restart services on two domestic airports namely Taupo and Timaru from Auckland and Wellington respectively after the halt caused due to COVID-19. This is the 20th destination in the country where services by the airline have resumed.

The resumption of services will start with the first flight taking off to Taupo from Auckland at 1:35 pm with the returning flight scheduled for 2 pm. On the other route from Wellington to Timaru, the flight is scheduled for 12:35 pm with the returning flight at 1 pm.

Reuben Levermore, Head of Tourism and Regional Affairs expressed his satisfaction on resuming operations on these routes and said that restarting services on the routes of Taupo and Timaru is great news for these towns and the regions around them and he hopes that people residing in these regions avail the services.

He also said that the airline will operate on these routes thrice a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and the operation on these routes will increase to nine times per week from the 6th of July. 

The Mayors of Taupo and Timaru have welcomed this decision to resume services. David Trewavas, Mayor of Taupo thanked Air New Zealand for resuming services and said that the restart of services in domestic travel is great news for the country and he looks forward to welcoming visitors from around the country. He also said that the Airport at Taupo has always remained opened even during the lockdown period to carry essential supplies and transport medical personnel.

On the other hand, Nigel Brown, Mayor of Timaru expressed his excitement on hearing the news and said that resumption of services in the region is important for both commerce and tourism. He also said that he is looking forward to welcoming citizens back to Timaru. 

Source Credits: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/air-new-zealand-restarts-two-domestic-routes-after-covid-19-disruption, https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2006/S00125/air-new-zealands-taupo-and-timaru-services-get-underway.htm