Air Chathams has underlined its commitment to regional New Zealand, including the Eastern Bay, with the launch of a Community Connection Fund – a $250,000 annual sponsorship programme.

The programme will provide free and discounted flights to and from Whakatāne, Whanganui, Kāpiti and the Chatham Islands to individuals, groups and events that directly benefit the communities.

Air Chathams chief executive Duane Emeny said the programme formalised what the family-owned airline had been doing since its early years.

“Community is everything to us. We want to see the regions we serve thrive, so we’re focussing our sponsorships on supporting that.”

The Community Connection Fund will award free flights and discounts quarterly, and will accept applications at www.airchathams.co.nz/sponsorships. Successful applications will be chosen by all Air Chathams staff, and will need to deliver an arts and culture, wellbeing, economic or environmental benefit.

Mr Emeny acknowledged that sponsoring flights might seem an unusual move when all airlines were facing increased cost pressures, but the airline would rather see seats filled than go empty. “Full planes to our destinations are good news for the community. Whether it’s paying passengers or sponsored seats, the benefit is still there.”