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The ex-Rex Air Saab arrived into Auckland from Wagga Wagga and Sydney on the 4th of July 2023 as VH-EKD before being placed on the New Zealand civil aircraft register as ZK-CIT on the 7th of July 2023.
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| Saab 340 VH-EKD at Auckland on 5 July 2023 |
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
Any updates on the Freighters?
ReplyDeleteWhat’s old is new and what’s new is old. Does one not have to ask why ANZ done away with operating Saab’s decades ago, only for them to reappear domestically again only older and even more inefficient?!? What’s next, HS748’s for underserved regions?
ReplyDeleteLast I heard they're bringing back Eagle airways with F27s
DeleteRLK 'done away' with the Saabs as at the time Air Nelson was experiencing tremendous growth on its Regional Routes, and the Saab at 34 seats didnt have enough capacity. At only 15 seats more than a 1900D, the decision was made to search for a aircraft that would offer the increased capacity Air Nelson needed, yet still small enough to serve the regions where the ATR was too big Bombardier came through with a fantastic deal on brand new Q300s. I spent decades working in the airline and the Saabs were incredibly popular amongst Crew and Passengers.
DeleteSaab currently have an excellent support program for the 340 and the 2000.
'More inefficient'?? Care to explain? The General Electric engines on the Saab are actually rather frugal on fuel. The Saab is the perfect aircraft for some of the routes Air Chathams operate and the aircraft has found wide favour among the Communities it serves.
Yeah sure the SF3 is a old aircraft, but I've always wondered why Air Chathams seem to have more aircraft than the routes they actually serve. For example CIT has been sitting on the ground in AKL for nearly a year - how can that make financial sense? Not to mention the other 340's they have waiting to actually enter service..
ReplyDeleteCIT and the others were purchased as part of a package deal, with a very attractive price. A couple of the airframes will be parted out. The others will eventually make it to service. Heavy maintenance on other aircraft has taken up lots of hanger time.
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