Air Chathams, the New-Zealand based regional carrier, is to commence direct Auckland to Norfolk Island weekly flights from 6 September 2019.

The airline has been working with Norfolk Island Tourism and the Norfolk Island Regional Council for the last 12 months to establish the new service. Previously visitors to the island from New Zealand had to travel via Australia.

Norfolk Island Regional Council General Manager, Lotta Jackson said the announcement of this new service was “wonderful news to be able to provide this streamlined access to the island for our visitors from New Zealand.

“The island has always been a popular holiday destination for New Zealanders with so many varied and memorable experiences for all to enjoy,” Jackson added.

Air Chathams has been flying to Norfolk Island on a regular basis over the last two years with a range of charter tour groups, which have been well patronised.

The new route will be served by the Convair 580 aircraft used by Air Cathams for charter flights to Norfolk and their regular services to the Chatham Islands. The Convair is configured for 50 passengers with an estimated flight time of just over two hours.

“There are so many parallels between Norfolk Island and the Chatham Island, except perhaps the weather. And we are really excited to re-establish that direct link to Auckland. We are getting so many queries about when flights will commence so I feel very confident that this will be another successful route for our family airline” said Duane Emeny, general manager of Air Chathams. “Air Chathams has made significant investments in anticipation of the success of the direct Auckland to Norfolk route, gaining required approvals from Australian Home Affairs, ANZA approvals from the NZ CAA and MOT licensing. A new website and online booking platform was launched last week to ensure customer service remains front and centre across all activity including the new Norfolk Island destination.”

Air Chathams will fly to Norfolk weekly on a Friday departing Auckland at 9am and returning the same day.

Promotion will begin in May and will target audiences likely to have an interest in travelling to Norfolk Island and those currently on connecting routes with Air Chathams.

Leave a Reply