24 January 2019

MCO enroute to Air Chathams...

Enroute to Auckland for delivery to Air Chahams this afternoon was ATR 72-500 ZK-MCO using callsign Mount Cook 998.

From the Air Chathams' newsletter, Air Chathams has purchased an ATR72-500 to undertake scheduled tours in New Zealand for Tauck Tours. We have secured the contract for these services and are delighted to see the aircraft in our colours with the familiar Chathams Islands logo on the tail. The aircraft, ZK-MCO, will be based in Auckland with charters due to begin in February 2019. The first flight under Air Chathams colours will be on the 8th of February from Wellington to Blenheim. It will not currently be used for Chatham Islands or Norfolk Island flights.


Thanks to Daniel for these two fantastic photos of MCO on final approach to Auckland's Runway 23 today, 24 January 2019
 


You can read more about MCO going to Air Chathams and see photos and read the interesting comments at the following links...



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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2019 5:15 PM

    From the Air Chathams January newsletter issued today:

    "Air Chathams has purchased an ATR72-500 to undertake scheduled tours in New Zealand for Tauck Tours. We have secured the contract for these services and are delighted to see the aircraft in our colours with the familiar Chathams Islands logo on the tail. The aircraft, ZK-MCO, will be based in Auckland with charters due to begin in February 2019. The first flight under Air Chathams colours will be on the 8th of February from Wellington to Blenheim. It will not currently be used for Chatham Islands or Norfolk Island flights.
    For those less familiar with aviation spotting, the ATR is a twin-engine turboprop, short-haul regional airliner developed and produced in France and Italy. It has a seating capacity of 68 passengers. We welcomed the aircraft to Auckland on Thursday 24th of January 2019."



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  2. KrisJanuary 25, 2019 10:31 AM

    Is MCO on a dry, damp or wet lease or has it been 'purchased' by Air Chathams?. The CAA aircraft register is still showing that MCO is still owned by Mt Cook Airlines.

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2019 11:14 AM

    Purchased their newsletter said - As the flight operated under a Mount Cook callsign the contract may have specified the aircraft be delivered to Auckland. Who knows? The CAA register can take a few days to catch up

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2019 1:41 PM

    Will the Tauck Tours flights operate year-round? I thought they were summer only.

    If not, what will the plane be used on for the rest of the year if not CHT or NLK (I assume PPQ and WAG loadings aren't high enough to justify it)?

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