Airline returns to regions under level 2
After seven weeks of uncertainty and what it calls “hibernation” Air Chathams gradually relaunched scheduled flights from its Auckland Airport base to Whakatane, Whanganui and the Kapiti Coast from 24 May.
Airline management have been working with the district councils to agree on a way forward that allows the airline, which has suffered a 90 percent drop in revenue during Covid-19, a lower-risk way to reinstate flights while the demand and confidence to travel by air return to the domestic network.
Flights did not stop between the Chatham Islands and its mainland New Zealand ports throughout levels 4 and 3, because the island air link was deemed an essential lifeline service and funded through the Aviation Support Package.
Under level 2, passengers are once again able to book flights to the Chathams using the airline’s website and call centre. While following MoT guidelines, including social distancing on flights, Air Chathams has also implemented a strict level 2 PPE and hygiene policy which includes increased aircraft cleaning and free hygiene packs for all travelling passengers, including a face mask to be worn on flights.
Air Chathams staff and the company’s owners, the Emeny family, have been overwhelmed by the messages of support throughout the Covid-19 lockdown. They are all hoping that goodwill will in time result in more normalised travel patterns, especially as the country works towards a trans-Tasman bubble with Australia.
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