Plan for DC-3 trips from Christchurch to rail trail

A DC-3 airliner may soon be a regular visitor at the Idaburn airstrip and Alexandra Airport if a joint venture between two companies takes off.

The Southern DC-3 Charitable Trust has teamed up with Trail Journeys to offer a regular service to ferry corporate groups to ride part of the Otago Central Rail Trail.

The DC-3 would fly groups from Christchurch to the Idaburn airstrip, near Oturehua, and the passengers would then ride the Oturehua-Clyde part of the rail trail and fly back from Alexandra Airport.

"Potentially, I think it could be very popular, especially with conference groups," Trail Journeys managing director Neville Grubb said.

"The whole concept is good and you can get in and out of Christchurch in one day.

"It should appeal to the conference market because they usually have a spare day set aside for activities during a conference."

There had been several inquiries so far about the package, he said.

Idaburn hosted DC-3 passenger flights for the first time yesterday as part of the charitable trust's Heartland Tour of the South Island.