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Arriving into Auckland last night from Wagga Wagga and Sydney was Pel-Air Saab SF340A VH-EKT on delivery to Air Chathams. Built in 1987 the aircraft was converted to a freighter configuration in 2008. The Saab is the first of four that have been bought by Air Chathams.
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| Saab 340 VH-EKT at Auckland on 8 June 2023 |
It's going to be fascinating to watch Air Chathams. It sounds like a major expansion is in the offing
ReplyDeleteI do wonder if the mix of dedicated freight and combi convairs that air chats had, the retirement has left a bigger void in their fleet than predicted and a dedicated freighter is required so I feel that aircraft will remain as it is.
DeleteThe fleet of two or three Metros will be heading to that point of costing more to run and maintain than making a profit, so that gap will soak up at least one of the three Saabs for their Whakatane route. With one or two to be possibly used for spare parts..
But..
I hope Masterton is on the radar, Vincent won the "contract" before going belly up because their Saabs were able to operate 'supposedly'
and who knows... It's quite possibly the only major town or town supporting a major region in NZ without a current airlink operated by the main airlines that has potential
There may even be a route in the pipeline that Air nz drops although unlikely or expanding on either, Kapiti to Christchurch or Whakatane to Wellington...
Whats that thing where they are trying to acess where the H was ?
ReplyDeleteThe HF antenna connector. Sending it back to Australia so the next one can be bought out.
DeleteOoh Thank you
Deletemust be access point for cables and what not that operate the beacon and rudder
ReplyDelete