The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that only 60% of seats were filled on the ratepayer subsidised Wellington-Canberra flight route, compared to an average of nearly 80% for all flights in and out of Australia.

Taxpayers’ Union Economist, Joe Ascroft, says that “Figures published by the Australian Government in their international airline review for 2016/17 make for sober reading. It is no surprise that Singapore had to move their flight route to Melbourne. Making profit, even after ratepayer subsidies, on a route where 40% of seats are empty on an average flight was never realistic.”

“Changing the route to Melbourne is unlikely to be successful either. Jetstar had to discontinue their Wellington-Melbourne route in 2016 because it was unprofitable to compete with Air New Zealand and Qantas. Ratepayers shouldn’t be forced to subsidise an airline, and especially on a route which is already serviced by two other airlines.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency to cancel their deal with Singapore Airlines. We’ve started a petition which you can view here.

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