Saab 340A ZK-KRA has been rolled out of the Air Chathams Auckland hangar 30 July ahead of its introduction to service flying the airline's Whanganui-Auckland run from 01 August.
The Saab exited operations with Kiwi Regional Airlines 28 July and positioned from Tauranga to Auckland where it has subsequently undergone a transformation to the Air Chathams livery albeit minus the cheatlines - perhaps an opportunity for a billboard style decal to applied in the future.
It is seen here taxiing to and from Auckland Domestic on the afternoon of 30 July for ground staff famil/training and as this post goes to air it will be preparing to depart for Whanganui where Air Chathams are hosting an airport open day to celebrate their commencement of services replacing Air Nelson/Air New Zealand Link Q300's. The Air Chathams DC3, ZK-AWP, flew from Auckland to Whanganui lunchtime 30 July.
now it just needs a rego change......the new zk cia???
ReplyDeleteDidn't take long to peel those KRA stickers off.
ReplyDeleteLooks good. I wonder if Wanganui will get a CHC link as well with the extra metro. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Saab in Whakatane on occasional heavy loads as well.
Think about the model here. Chats clearly not actively going to expand with crazy routes. It looks like they just taking opportunities that fall into their lap. My bet whk-wlg will be tried at some point, that's it.
ReplyDeleteThey could combine it with Whanganui like Air NZ use to do WHK-WAG-WLG route. As might not be enough PAX to fly WHK - WLG alone.
ReplyDeleteI still think AKL/WAG/WLG would be looked at once anything settles down early next year due to Singapore Airlines WLG/CBR/SIN service.
DeleteIf Air Chathams gets a another SAAB from Regional Express (REX) in Australia, on lease, as REX have some surplus SAAB 340A and SAAB 340B available, out of their fleet of 52 SAABs, HLZ/NSN/DUD and TRG/NSN/DUD could be re-started, as Ewan Wilson had mentioned in the media, that loadings on these routes were good.
WHK will not be economical but TRG being the NZ's 5 largest city with a TRG/WAG/WLG service could worked but wouldn't be a high priority in regards to existing resources.
Loadings were good, yields to get those loadings were not however.
DeleteThat's one nice looking aircraft.
ReplyDeletelooks great all the best to craig and his them.i wish them well.and hope they get bigger over time with anz mistakes.....same with sounds air.....both companys stood up for the customers that anz left behind ......
ReplyDelete