Ooh La La Barrier Air

Arriving into Auckland last evening was Barrier Air's newest Cessna 208 Grand Caravan, French registered F-HFTR, after a 12-day ferry flight from France. The Caravan tracked down to New Zealand through Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia to arrive in Auckland just on sunset on the 21st of September 2022. 

Arriving into Auckland on 21 September 2022, Cessna Grand Caravan F-HFTR after flying from Brisbane via Lord Howe Island. Photo : Andrew Aley

This morning it has flown to Flight Care in Napier to be readied for service with Barrier Air as ZK-SDG, the airline's fifth Caravan.

On it's way to Napier, Barrier Air's fifth Cessna Grand Caravan, F-HFTR, leaving Auckland on 22 September 2022.

Looking ahead Barrier Air has a number of increased frequencies planned. From the 20th of October it is trialling four flights between Kaitaia and Auckland on Thursdays only to assess whether there is demand for same day return Auckland-Kaitaia flights. The popular Whitianga flights were thwarted by winter runway issues at Whitianga but move back to twice daily in October and thrice daily in December. From the 2nd of December thrice weekly flights will begin between Tauranga and Great Barrier Island and in late December the airline will move to thrice daily flights between North Shore and Great Barrier Island for the peak summer period.

ZK-SDG will enter service sometime in October.