High Flyer Keeps the Seats Warm on Hamilton's Own Airline
By Tristan Hooker/MediaPA
Kenneth Mitchell loves to fly. Whether for work or for play, he enjoys a bit of distance between himself and the ground.
Kenneth, owner and manager of Ventura Inn & Suites on Hamilton’s Clarence Street, lives in Nelson but commutes regularly to the Waikato to oversee the operation and upgrade of his accommodation and to keep his finger on the pulse of the Hamilton community.
“I travel once a week, or fortnight,” says Kenneth, “commuting between Nelson, where I live on a lifestyle block, and Hamilton, where I own and manage Ventura Inn & Suites. I love the lifestyle in Nelson and I love doing business in New Zealand’s ‘Golden Triangle’ [Waikato, Tauranga, Auckland].”
The preferred airline for Kenneth’s commute between the two cities is Hamilton based Kiwi Regional Airlines.
“KRA flies region to region, in my case Nelson to Hamilton,” explains Kenneth. “It’s affordable, efficient and direct - just like jumping on a bus.”
Kenneth says Kiwi Regional Airlines’ use of the Saab 340 aircraft makes boarding the plane quick and easy.
“Because the Saab 340 is smaller than an ATR there’s less waiting round for other passengers to board or disembark,” says Kenneth, referring to the Aerospatiale ATR72 aircraft commonly used by other airlines for regional commutes.
Kenneth is certainly not a nervous passenger. In fact, he’s accustomed to launching himself off mountain tops.
“I fly high end microlights but the most amazing flying in the world is hang gliding,” he says. “Nothing beats running off a mountain top, going up and flying xc [cross country].
“With microlighting, I choose when and where to fly. That might be low level through the mountains after a snow fall, which is simply sensational. Flying xc hang gliding is challenging but incredibly rewarding.
“I love flying”, says Kenneth, “especially when I’m at the controls.”
Contact Ventura Inn & Suites:
Ventura Inn & Suites Hamilton
23 Clarence St, Hamilton
Ph: +64 7 838 0110
Email: reservations@venturainns.co.nz
Website: http://www.venturainns.co.nz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VenturaHamilton/
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