Mayors welcome new agreement between Cities' airports

Friday 28 September 2012

Mayors welcome new agreement between Sister Cities' airports

Sister Cities Christchurch and Adelaide look likely to become even closer following a formal agreement by the two cities' international airports to work together to secure a direct air service between them.

Mayor Bob Parker is hosting Lord Mayor of Adelaide Stephen Yarwood until 30 September, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between the two cities. Both visited Christchurch International Airport Limited (CIAL) today to mark the announcement of a joint project to encourage airlines to fly direct between their two cities.

Christchurch City Council, together with Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism, has supported this work by CIAL and the Adelaide Airport.

"Christchurch and Adelaide have been linked for four decades as Sister Cities and that link will become a tangible, physical one when these flights are introduced, even though it may be a year away. This is an excellent initiative by our international airports," Mayor Parker says.

"Christchurch is the gateway to New Zealand's spectacular South Island and there will be great economic spin-offs from the soon-to-be introduced flights. Tourists tell us there is something very magical about flying in over the Southern Alps to land at Christchurch Airport and as our rebuilt city takes more shape I hope more Adelaide residents will come check it out."

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood, who is being accompanied by Adelaide City Councillor Sandy Wilkinson on the visit, says 40 years of cooperation between the two cities is a major milestone and the flights will help develop the relationship even further.

"Our two cities have worked together on cultural, tourism, trade and educational projects since our Sister City relationship started. It was very good to see our two universities working together after the February 2011 earthquake to offer Christchurch students places at Adelaide University for one semester.

"We are keen to find out how we can give more support to Christchurch, particularly during the rebuild period, and see the establishment of direct flights as a great thing for tourism in both cities and surrounding areas," Lord Mayor Yarwood says.

While in Christchurch, Lord Mayor Yarwood will meet with representatives from the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), Christchurch Central Development Unit (CCDU), Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC) and the University of Canterbury (UC). He will also view the site of the Transitional Cathedral and learn about the impact of the earthquakes on Christchurch's heritage buildings.

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