05 May 2012

What future for Chathams Pacific?



The blog's banner photo for this month shows Chathams Pacific Convair 580 ZK-CIF on approach to Auckland...

Last month it was announced that China is donating Tonga with two aircraft for domestic flights. The two aircraft, a Y-12 which can carry 17 passengers and a MA-60 which can carry 52 passengers, are worth some $ 20-million USD.

One wonders what this means for Chathams Pacific. On one hand the news report did say “It hasn't yet been decided whether they will be run by a private company by Tonga” while further down in the article it was reported “Pilots, engineers, stewards and admin staff will be recruited, and a training programme will start at soon as the new planes arrive in Tonga. After three years of flying, Tonga will be solely responsible for the maintenance of the aircraft, and won't be able to rely on Chinese expertise.”



Picture

 

1 comment:

  1. wELL THE STUPID TONGAN GOVERMENT HAVE DONE IT AGAIN NOW NO REAL AIRSERVICE???

    ReplyDelete