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Sounds Air
 _Picton-Koromiko_airfield.jpg)  .jpg) Sounds Air is a New Zealand airline based in Marlborough.[2] The airline was founded in 1986 by Cliff and Diane Marchant to provide low cost flights to the Marlborough Sounds.[3] The airline's head office as well as its Sounds Aero Maintenance division is based at Omaka aerodrome.[4] HistoryFrom a single Cessna Caravan operating one route across the Cook Strait, Sounds Air has grown in 30 years; the airline carried 78,000 passengers in 2015, compared to 14,000 passengers in 2003. In 2008 the airline set up its own maintenance division as the airline could not find a company suitable to maintain its fleet.[5] In 2017, Sounds Air signalled that they were looking at buying twin engine planes for the first time: up to three 19-seater Beech 1900 aircraft to support extra demand for the Blenheim to Christchurch route.[6] ServicesSounds Air operates scheduled flights between Wellington and Picton, Nelson, and Blenheim.[7][8] Scheduled flights are also available between Blenheim and Christchurch,[9][10]Wānaka and Paraparaumu. Nelson also has flights to Paraparaumu.[11] Sounds Air formerly served Kaikoura, Napier, Taupo, Westport and Whanganui[12] from Wellington, Napier from Blenheim and Kāpiti Coast from Picton.[13] A service to Masterton was being considered from Wellington, however no such service eventuated, because the town wanted the link to Auckland reinstated instead.[14] In addition to scheduled flights Sounds Air offers scenic flights over the Marlborough Sounds and Abel Tasman National Park.[15] The airline started temporary services to Kaikoura from Christchurch and Blenheim on 21 November 2016 following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake.[16] The Kaikoura to Christchurch flights ceased from 27 January 2017[17] followed by the Blenheim flights on 29 December 2017. From this date onwards Kaikoura will become a charter route only.[18] Sounds Air commenced Christchurch to Wānaka another former Air New Zealand route on 2 November 2020.[19] On 18 October 2024 Sounds Air decided to pull out of Westport because of high costs and lack of support from the government.[20]. A month later Sounds Air announced they were pulling out of Taupo also because of high costs.[21] Originair has since stepped in to serve both Taupo and Westport from Wellington. DestinationsSounds Air operates scheduled services to the following destinations within New Zealand:
FleetAs of May 2024 the Sounds Air fleet consists of ten aircraft.[24] 6 Pilatus PC-12's which are a pressurized, single-engined, turboprop aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Stans, Switzerland since 1991. It was designed as a high-performance utility aircraft powered by the Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop. They incorporate a large aft cargo door in addition to the main passenger door. It is configured in a 9 seat commuter configuration with 1-1 arrangement. And 4 Cessna 208 Caravan's which are strutted, high wing aircraft with an unpressurized cabin. They are powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A tractor turboprop and have a fixed tricycle landing gear. 2 of the 4 are 208's which seat 12 people in a 1–2 configuration with a 2 person bench seat in the aft section. The 2 others are the stretched 208B's which seat 13 people in a 1–2 configuration.
FutureOn 28 September 2020, the airline signed a letter of intent to Swedish company Heart Aerospace to purchase their ES-19 electric aircraft once it comes available, scheduled for 2026. The airline hopes the ES-19 will be able to make them the first regional airline to offer Zero-emissions flights.[25] In 2022 this was upgraded to the ES-30.[26] Accidents and incidents
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