Kiwi Regional Airlines (Hamilton, NZ) chief executive Ewan Wilson has told New Zealand's Newshub that the regional carrier is "seriously" considering crowdfunding as a potential option to fund the acquisition of a second Saab 340A aircraft.
Kiwi Regional has launched operations last year and currently uses a single Saab 340A to link Nelson, NZ with Dunedin, Hamilton and Tauranga. A second aircraft, to cost approximately NZD2 million (USD1.36 million) would allow the carrier to expand its charter services and to ensure it has a back up aircraft for "planned and unplanned engineering" periods. Kiwi Regional recently was forced to wet-lease a CV-580 from Air Chathams (3C, Chatham Island) temporarily to replace its Saab 340A.
Wilson added that the crowdfunding initiative would also be interested as it would lead to a community of New Zealand shareholders in the carrier.
