i assume that mr sabin would expect that the airline would continue to do its best to sustainably maximise its returns to its shareholders, one of which is the nz govt.
why do some folks think air nz owes a subsidised public service to some of its network? air nz is a privately owned business that quite rightly operates in the best interests of its shareholders.
if residents of a small town want an air service to somewhere, theres nothing stopping them from starting one.