Air Chathams (3C, Chatham Island) has announced it will commence regular Whanganui-Auckland International services to cover Air New Zealand's decision to drop the route.
Justifying its withdrawal, Air New Zealand (NZ, Auckland International) said in a statement this week that the route could not sustain the larger Dash 8-300 which replaced the now retired Beech 1900D last year. As such, Air Chathams has said it would deploy its 19-seater Metroliners onto the route as soon as Air New Zealand stops its service to the airport on July 31. Sounds Air (S8, Picton) has also expressed an interest in assuming Air New Zealand's Blenheim-Christchurch service with a decision expected in mid-June.
Air Chathams operates a diverse fleet of CV-580s, Metroliner IIIs, DC-3s, and Cessna (single piston) 206s among others on regular and charter flights throughout New Zealand.
