Small airline Originair is operating new weekday and Sunday flights connecting Blenheim and Christchurch.
The Nelson-based carrier began the service on Sunday to restore a regional air link after Sounds Air cancelled flights on the route.
Originair’s 18-seat British Aerospace Jetstream 32 aircraft, crewed by two pilots, will operate return flights to support business, tourism and patient travel to specialist healthcare.
The timetable gave travellers about seven hours in Christchurch to fit in medical appointments, business meetings or sightseeing.
Christchurch International Airport aeronautical development general manager Gordon Bevan said the team effort with Originair and Marlborough Airport was keeping the South Island connected.
"Collaboration like this ensures essential travel remains easy and reliable.
"Regional routes like this are an important part of our network, supporting connectivity, care and commerce across the island."
He said the 20,000-passenger market was two-thirds the size of Blenheim’s population so its significance for Marlborough could not be overestimated.
Originair will fly twice daily from Tuesday to Thursday, and once on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays.
Other routes flown by the airline are Westport, Nelson, Wellington and Palmerston North.
The airline was founded in 2014 by Robert Inglis and partner Nicki Smith. Mr Inglis previously started Air Nelson in 1979.
The first landing into Christchurch was greeted with a water arch as the plane taxied in.
