The General Manager of Air Chathams (3C, Chatham Island), Duane Emeny, has outlined the changes that been effected to the carrier's fleet over the past few months.
Speaking with New Zealand aviation blog 3rdLevelNZ, Emeny said the regional passenger and cargo carrier now has five Convair CV-580s in its fleet, with newly acquired ZK-KFL (msn 372) being primarily used for cargo operations. ZK-CIB (msn 327A) is currently undergoing a complete overhaul including interiors and decals and will re-enter service next month.
Three CV-580s that were recently purchased from Air Freight NZ (TFR, Auckland International) – ZK-FTA (msn 168), ZK-KFH (msn 42), and ZK-KFJ (msn 114) – will be harvested for spare parts for the rest of the Convair fleet.
"This will see us through the next 4-5 years CV580 operations until we have a replacement machine identified and resourced," he said.
The carrier's Saab 340A ZK-KRA (msn 65) is used to ply the Auckland International – Whanganui route, taking over from Air New Zealand (NZ, Auckland International) which withdrew in mid-2016.
Finally, Air Chathams' Aero Commander 690A ZK-PVB (11321) is currently being dry leased to an aerial survey company.
According to its website, Air Chathams also has one Fairchild Metroliner III, one Douglas DC-3, and one Cessna (single piston) 206 available for charter and sightseeing operations.
