Whakatane could have a new air carrier from the end of April.

Air Chathams has been approved as the preferred new operator by the Whakatane District Council.

The move comes after Air New Zealand announced in November it was cancelling its services to and from Whakatane.

Air Chathams CEO Craig Emeny is excited about helping the community.

"I don't think it got me nervous. It's been a very enjoyable process actually, just working with people here and letting them know what we can do and answering their questions.

"It's actually been very good to work through."

The new carrier now just needs Ministry of Transport approval to begin operating its service on April 29.

Emeny is confident the company will be able to lift off in just three months.

"April will come around before you know what's happened, but it shouldn't be too bad.

"We're already operators and operating the aircraft types we're going to operate in here."