Air Chathams Flights Returns 29 August 2024

On Thursday this week, Air Chathams weekly Auckland to Norfolk Island return flights recommenced on 29 August 2024.

The scheduled services have commenced with weekly flights on Thursday, and it is exciting to have a direct link with New Zealand after the winter months. If you wish to book a seat on the 68-seater Air Chathams service, follow the links below and check out the details. The flights booking will go quick, so get in early to enjoy a holiday on Norfolk Island or if you wish to holiday in New Zealand or catch up with family and friends in Kiwiland, I know many will feel like myself and look forward to seeing loved ones after so long apart.

It is fantastic to once again have a weekly direct link with New Zealand. Many New Zealand tourist have enjoyed visiting Norfolk Island for many years for holidays, attending music and sporting events and visiting family and friends. Also, many New Zealanders live on Norfolk Island, and it is great news to know there is now a direct weekly flight to Auckland, but during the winter months the only way to travel to New Zealand was to journey via Sydney or Brisbane, using the passenger flights, incurring addition flights, travelling time and travel cost.

Air New Zealand passenger flight service from Auckland to Norfolk Island stopped in May 2017 and Norfolk Island Airline provided the passenger and freight services until January 2018. Looking through my earlier articles and photos, my records show that Air Chathams Norfolk Island regular passenger flights commenced on 6 September 2019, and it is wonderful to have them recommence their commercial Norfolk Island flights again. Congratulations Air Chathams for the Pacific Island flight service.

https://www.airchathams.co.nz/where-we-fly/norfolk-island

Norfolk Island

PLEASE NOTE:

We operate a seasonal flight schedule to Norfolk Island from Auckland.

Services to this unique destination.

Flights will resume on 29th August for the Spring/Summer Season 2024/2025.

The island shares a similar latitude and climate to Australia's easternmost towns and is a sub-tropical gem.

At only 805 kilometres from the northern tip of New Zealand, it’s less than three hours flight time from Auckland to Norfolk Island and virtually on our doorstep!

Norfolk Island is a South Pacific paradise full of stories, activity and character. It has a unique history and community now enjoyed in modern life with its beautiful landscapes, impressive diversity and refreshing authenticity.

https://www.airchathams.co.nz/about-us

Mid-2018 the first Convair 580 chartered flight flew to the Norfolk Islands and represents the first international flight for Air Chathams.

Flights to Norfolk Island have continued as charters and in September 2019 regular scheduled passenger flights direct to and from Auckland commenced.

Growth to date has included extensive work with charter flights using the ATR 72-500 to carry a range of groups and tours. Wherever Air Chathams has operated it has established itself as an airline for the community.

ATR72-500 Fleet | Air Chathams

ATR 72, Our Newest Regional Airliner

Air Chathams have two ATR72-500 within our fleet. One ATR72-500 is used to undertake scheduled tours nationally for Tauck Tours and the other is used to service the Chatham Islands as our flagship craft - for both passenger and cargo services.

The ATR is a twin-engine turboprop with six-bladed propellers developed and produced in France and Italy. It is an ideal fit for Air Chathams as a short-haul regional airliner with seating capacity for 68 passengers.

Although one of our ATR72-500 is fully committed to servicing the Chatham Islands, our other ATR is available for any charter flights or charter enquiries.

Aircraft Specifications

Speed	500 kilometres per hour
Max Altitude	25,000 feet
Pressurised Cabin	Yes
No. of Pilots	2
No. of Flight Attendants	2
No. of Seats	Up to 68
Inflight Catering	Available
Toilet	Yes

Air Chathams Ltd is a private company and they are based in Te One, the Chatham Islands, and flies from the Tuuta Airport which is about 1000km from Auckland. The company was established in 1984 and for over thirty years has operated passenger and freight services between the Chatham Islands and New Zealand, along with internal flights from Whakatane and Whanganui to Auckland, Kapiti Coast, Wellington, and Christchurch. Check out the company’s web page for details. Pitt Island is also listed, which is the second largest island in the Chatham Archipelago. Air Chathams has grown into a reliable and safe airline that supports the transportation of both freight and people to and from mainland New Zealand.

Marion and Craig Emeny are Air Chathams Ltd Founders/Owners - CFO & CEO. Craig and Marion are as much a part of the business, airline and crew as anyone else on the team. Craig regularly flies a number of our routes and Marion can usually be found in the Chatham Islands Office at Te One looking after our accounts. Not just pilot and office administrator, they are both integral to the management and support of staff both on the Chathams Islands and in mainland New Zealand.

If you would like to read more information about Air Chathams and the Norfolk Island service, or to book flights please follow the Air Chathams links

https://www.airchathams.co.nz/destinations/norfolk-island

or follow Air Chathams Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/airchathams

Local Norfolk Island company Burnt Pine Travel can also assist with bookings.

Burnt Pine Travel are the on island booking agents for Air Chathams - contact us today to arrange your next trip to The Land of The Long White Cloud.

Call us on +6723 22195 or

email travel@burntpinetravel.nf

On Thursday I managed to capture a photo of the Air Chatham flight when it was taxing from the terminal ready to depart Norfolk Island. Plus, here are some images from previous visits to Norfolk Island and aircraft photos from the Air Chathams web page link.

Betty Matthews

30 August 2024