A less turbulent year for Sounds Air

August's lockdown may have left the regional airline's fleet of ten aircraft grounded.

But chief executive Andrew Crawford says the vaccination mandate has made a difference this year - with passenger numbers building up more quickly compared to the 2020 lockdown.

The airline services Taupo, Kapiti, Westport, Blenheim and Nelson.

Crawford says its newest Christchurch to Wanaka service has become its busiest sector.

He says it replaces a five-hour road trip, with Sounds Air doing it in 45 minutes.