Charters turned cheap travel for Air Chathams

A new airline is taking to the Marlborough skies, filling empty return charter trips with passengers.

Air Chathams is starting flights to Auckland during March and April to fill return charter flights arriving in town for harvest.

The flights with a checked bag between Blenheim and Auckland are on offer for a standard $150 - with the first flight taking off last Monday.

Chief Commercial Officer Duane Emeny says the decision to open flights to the public was a “no brainer.”

“It started with our commercial team, as we have charter flights to and from Blenheim with clients but that left us flying empty planes for one of the legs,” he says.

“So, we thought why not sell some seats, make some noise in the market, and bring an opportunity for cheap Auckland travel and show off great Air Chathams service for Marlborough.”

Since starting in 1984, Air Chathams has grown to be New Zealand’s largest private airline. Duane says their ethos of connecting regional communities is one they continue to operate by.

“Our core values and business started with connecting the Chatham’s to mainland New Zealand, and as our national carrier has moved out of flight routes since 2015, we’ve expanded to continue those vital services.

“Aviation is a tough industry at the best of times, so just being able to give Sounds Air and Marlborough Airport a call and set these flights up has been really encouraging.

“I hope it’s something we’ll be able to continue doing around this time of year into the future.”

https://www.airchathams.co.nz/Blenheim-to-Auckland