This blog started off by focussing on NZ's smaller 3rd level airlines, past and present. It has evolved to trying to present some record of NZ's domestic airline operations and some of the larger charter operators, interesting NZ international airliner movements and photos I have taken around the country. Comments, corrections or contributions are welcome, Steve - westland831@gmail.com
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| Air Chathams' Fairchild SA227-CC Metro 23 ZK-POF at Whakatane on 4 August 2023... my ride there and back |
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| A surprise to see Air Chathams' Douglas DC-3 ZK-AWP at Whakatane on 4 August 2023... a couple of desperation shots as we taxied in and an against the light photo in the afternoon |
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| Cessna 152 ZK-JFY at Whakatane on 4 August 2023 |
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| Aero Designs Pulsar ZK-PXB at Whakatane on 4 August 2023 |
Talked to a Air Chats Staffer today and the Metroliner will be retired mid October, with Saabs taking over completely from then. The 4 Saabs that were purchased from Australia by Air Chats, 2 will be kept pax, 1 kept as Cargo and 1 will be canabilized for spares. Only POF left flying now, and when that retires in Oct, that will mark then end of many decades of Metro service in NZ. The Saab is running some flights over the next week, and some flights are already full. This certainly gives WHK a whole different class of airservice - Timtam and all :)
ReplyDeleteA lot of WHK elderly folk apparently will not fly the Metroliner as it's a struggle to get up the stairs, and back to their seats. Hopefully the Saabs will make flying more accessible for those type of customers.
Interestingly all of Air Chathams Saabs are actually older than ZK-POF (bar CIZ which is the same age). Some of those Saabs are approaching 40 years old!
Air chats has a habit of flying pretty old machines, so nothing new for them!
DeleteIncorrect. Of the four Saabs purchased, three are freighters and only one is a pax. Metroliner will be operating for the rest of the year.
DeleteI too have heard October for the Metroliner. This coming straight from Air Chathams themselves.
DeleteAir Chats Magazine announces the retirement of the Metroliners, and has now been removed from its Operating Fleet page. The Metros days are numbered
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