New Zealand airline Air Chathams' oldest Convair 580 (aircraft registration number: ZK-CIB) conducted its final flight from Auckland to WÄnaka, 69 years after being built in 1953.
The final destination of the legendary aircraft is National Toy and Transport Museum in WÄnaka where it will be displayed. Air Chathams' Chief Executive Officer Craig Emeny said,
"There's a very special place for this aircraft not only in my life and my company's life but really also to the Chatham Islands community as well."
He is right about that. Before the much-loved aircraft took its last flight, Air Chathams' staff wrote farewell messages on the plane's bulkhead. The airline said it was an emotional day.
Air Chathams has decided to retire its well-maintained Convair fleet because the airline found updating navigational systems to the New Southern Sky program that New Zealand aviation is adopting to be too costly.
Air Chathams now schedules nine flights between Auckland and KÄpiti Coast (using the Saab 340), 14 flights between Auckland and Whanganui (also using Saab 340), and 13 flights between Auckland and WhakatÄne (using Fairchild Metroliner III) every week. Meanwhile, the airline had decided to withdraw all Auckland to Norfolk Island flights until Sep 1st, 2022.
Air Chathams' current fleet
With the last Convair 580 retired, now Air Chathams has a small but diverse fleet of aircraft, including two ATR-72, three Saab 340, three Fairchild Metroliner IIIs, a Cessna 206, and a historical DC-3.
The two ATR-72s were purchased in early 2019 to replace the Convair 580. The first, ZK-MCO, arrived in June 2019, becoming the largest aircraft that the airline owns. The second, ZK-MCU, came from Air New Zealand and was ferried up to Auckland earlier this month. These will be used on scheduled and charter services from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch to the Chatham Islands.
The three Saab 340, "our Swedish princess," as the airline calls them, are put into scheduled commercial operation between Auckland to Whanganui and Auckland to KÄpiti Coast. Both are domestic routes within the north island of New Zealand.
Air Chathams started using the Fairchild Metroliner III in 1992. The aircraft type has seating for 19 passengers and can also be operated as a freighter with a maximum payload of 2 tonnes. The aircraft is now used for scheduled commercial operations between Auckland to Whakatane, also a domestic route within the north island.
The Cessna 206 is used for the airline's very popular Pitt Island day trip, the island close to the main Chatham Island. The Cessna can be quickly configured for up to five passengers or freight.
Last but not least, the Douglas DC-3 was purchased in 2009 by the airline from its previous owner in Tonga. After the change of ownership, a complete restoration was undertaken, and the aircraft became airworthy again with Air Chatham's symbolic green color livery.
This DC-3 flew National Airways Corporation (NAC) passenger services from April 1953 until the late 1960s. So, Air Chathams decided to repaint the aircraft to NAC colors (red and white) for the 2019 - 2020 summer season to recognize its long and extensive history in New Zealand and the new name "Kaitaia."
Air Chathams wrote on its website,
"From days flown under command of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and then as a passenger commuter for the National Airways Corporation, to fertilising crops as a top dressing craft around New Zealand, Air Chathams' Douglas DC3 is a true Kiwi at heart."
The DC-3 now mainly undertakes charter work and scenic flights for Air Chathams.