New Zealand's Air Chathams eyes B737 ops, streamlines fleet

New Zealand's Air Chathams adds first Saab 340A freighters

New Zealand's Invivo Air debuts early 1Q23

Invivo Air (Auckland International) - punted as the world's first winery airline - has announced its debut with a 34-seater Saab 340A chartered from Air Chathams (3C, Chatham Island) between Auckland International on North Island to Queenstown on South Island on January 31, 2023.

During the two-hour maiden flight, passengers will enjoy an eight-course wine tasting and music curated by co-founder Rob Cameron, who is also the lead guitarist of New Zealand band Razorback Road. The overnight experience will feature more - you guessed it - winetastings at the company's vineyards in Central Otago and an evening gala event hosted by winemakers and Invivo Air co-founders Cameron and Tim Lightbourne. Limited tickets were sold out in record time at NZD1,149 (USD660) per person.

Invivo plans to run future Invivo Air flights both domestically and internationally, the company said in a statement.

While no mention was made in the statement, terms of conditions of the offer reveal that Air Chathams will be the production carrier for the charter. The...

New Zealand's Air Chathams ends Convair operations

Air Chathams (3C, Chatham Island) has finally retired its last passenger CV-580, its last destination being the National Toy and Transport Museum in Wanaka on New Zealand's South Island.

The final flight on May 21, 2022, of the 69-year-old ZK-CIB (msn 327A) from Auckland International to Wanaka was also the last take-off of a passenger Convair turboprop in the world, according to a social media post by the airline.

Before the final flight, Chief Executive Officer Graig Emeny and the airline's Auckland team wrote farewell messages on the aircraft's rear pressure bulkhead. "There's a very special place for this aircraft not only in my life and my company's life but really also to the Chathams Island community as well," Emeny said.

As reported, Air Chathams had initially planned to retire the aircraft on July 29, 2021, and then again on September 17, 2021. Indeed, the last scheduled flight took place in July 2021. Still, the COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand created demand for ad hoc Convair cargo runs...

New Zealand's Air Chathams to end Convair ops in late 3Q21

Air Chathams (3C, Chatham Island) has continued to deploy its sole remaining Convair CV-580 on domestic New Zealand cargo runs after having withdrawn the type from scheduled passenger service in July this year.

The New Zealand Herald initially reported that the carrier's last aircraft of the type, ZK-CIB (msn 327A), would be permanently retired on July 29. However, the last scheduled flight from Chatham Island to Wellington took place six days earlier. Air Chathams has since deployed it between Auckland International, Christchurch, and Wellington on non-scheduled cargo flights, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows.

Chief Operating Officer Duane Emeny told ch-aviation that the aircraft would be retired in earnest on September 17, 2021.

"The recent lockdown in New Zealand has seen demand for Convair flights to connect South Island freight to Auckland for international connections," Emeny said.

Last year, the airline said ZK-CIB was due for an annual maintenance inspection in September 2021, which would be the limiting factor due to the high cost associated with the checks. Air Chathams...