Questions on why tax payer money backs trains but not planes, as more regional flight routes are axed

Operator, Sounds Air is dropping its Blenheim to Christchurch and Christchurch to Wanaka services from September, with 10 jobs lost.

Despite good passenger numbers, the decision is driven by unsustainable costs so is having to sell part of its fleet.

CEO, Andrew Crawford, says the money spent on the train from Hamilton to Auckland, would cover regional aviation in a heartbeat.

He says the Government's happy to put money into trains, roads and ferries but nothing towards regional connectivity.