Questions are being raised as to why taxpayer 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 it is having to sell part of its fleet.
CEO Andrew Crawford told Mike Hosking 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.
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The Mike Hosking Breakfast