Air Chathams (3C, Chatham Island) has taken delivery of its first ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprop following the handing over of ATR72-500 ZK-MCO (msn 628) on Thursday, January 24.
The New Zealand carrier's General Manager, Duane Emeny, told ch-aviation in an emailed statement the aircraft would be leased from Air New Zealand initially. However, ownership will pass to Air Chathams in May of this year.
Operationally, Air Chathams has partnered US firm Private Jet Services to provide the turboprop on an almost exclusive basis to Tauck Tours which will use it to run flights between Blenheim and Te Anau and between Auckland International and Queenstown International. It will also be proffered to the charter market when availability permits.
Air Chathams also operates one Saab 340B, two Saab 340A(QC)s, one Aero Commander 690A, a DC-3, four Convair 440/580s, two Convair 340/580s, four Metroliners, and various light/rotary wing aircraft. It uses its diverse fleet to run charters as well as scheduled flights from its Chatham Island base to Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland as well as from Auckland to Whakatane, Whanganui, and Paraparaumu.
