The Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand welcomes the Government’s announcement of a new $22 million loan package to support regional airlines, helping to protect essential air connectivity for communities across the country.
AIANZ has advocated strongly for this support, consistently raising concerns about the severe impact of rising aviation fuel prices and operating costs on regional operators. AIANZ Chief Executive Simon Wallace has warned that many airlines are facing near‑unsustainable cost pressures, with limited ability to pass these on to customers without threatening vital services.
“These fuel prices are becoming almost unsustainable for some regional airlines,” Simon said, noting the real risk to regional connectivity if action was not taken.
AIANZ welcomes this loan package as an important step toward stabilising the regional aviation sector and will continue to work closely with Government to ensure long‑term, sustainable solutions for regional air services.