YOUR FAMILY IS OUR FAMILY ACROSS THE FRIENDLY SKIES

AIRChathams began life flying crayfish between Chatham and Pitt Islands and then the Chatham Islands and mainland New Zealand. This was a far better and more economic option than had been previously available and now a substantial part of Air Chathams operations continues to be in freight.

Owned by Craig and Marion Emeny, Air Chathams was established in 1984 and worked with the local Chatham Island people to create a safe and reliable airline that would support the transportation of both people and freight to and from New Zealand.

Craig Emeny first moved to the Chatham Islands when he was offered a job as a pilot operating services between Chatham and Pitt Islands on behalf of a New Zealand based airline. At that time there was no regular service between the Chatham Islands and New Zealand and this prompted Craig to start his own airline, beginning operations to mainland New Zealand airports. Our spiritual home and head office is still on the Chatham Islands – Tuuta/Chatham Islands Airport but operationally, we’d consider Auckland Airport to be our base. From our hangar at the Eastern end of the airport, we have a full Part 145 maintenance facility, parking for our fleet, customer service team, airline operations and our leadership team.

Our contemporary aircraft fleet consists of 10 aircraft providing scenic flights, charters, passenger services and freight.

We currently fly from Auckland to Whakatãne, Whanganui and Kãpiti Coast (Paraparaumu), as well as our Chatham Islands service that flies from the Chathams to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. We also operate NZ’s only service to Norfolk Island.

Culturally we are a customerfocused and solution-orientated airline who thrive on being innovative problem solvers that deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable outcomes for our customers… and live by a simple motto:

“At Air Chathams it’s all about family! Your family is our family across the friendly skies.”

Explore the unique ancestral cultures, environment, and way of life on the Chatham Islands with its own proud airline.

Flights to the Chathams Islands depart weekly all year round, from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.