Piloting New Zealand’s Regional Aviation Market
A key issue facing regional airlines in New Zealand is a shortage of pilots, because many leave to join Air New Zealand. The chief executive of local regional carrier Fly My Sky, Keith McKenzie, says his pilots stay with his…
New Maldivian Carrier Manta Air Keen to Shake Up Competition
Maldivian start-up Manta Air has been expanding aggressively with its three-ATR fleet and it plans to add seaplanes soon. The airline, which only started flying its first domestic services in February, will be taking delivery of six de Havilland Canada…
Tropicair Appoints New CEO
Papua New Guinean charter carrier Tropicair has appointed Craig Chapple as CEO, with a remit to grow the airline. Chapple was previously general manager of safety and corporate strategy at PNG Air and replaces Tim Madgwick who has re-joined the…
Inside Greg Asner’s Airborne Observatory
The airborne observatory developed by American scientist Greg Asner is a Dornier 228 modified with imaging equipment that is used to study ecosystems. Asner, who is the director of the Arizona State University (ASU) Centre for Global Discovery and Conservation…
NZ’s Air Chathams Finally Planning To Replace Convair 580s
Air Chathams plans to phase out its Convair 580 aircraft within the next three years, possibly replacing it with ATR 72s and a Boeing 737 combi. The airline’s CEO and co-owner, Craig Emeny, tells Smart Aviation APAC that the airline…
New Zealand’s Sounds Air Adding More PC-12s
New Zealand regional carrier Sounds Air plans to add more Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, so it can cater to growth in New Zealand’s regional aviation market. The airline’s managing director, Andrew Crawford, says the carrier evaluated Beechcraft 1900D aircraft about two…
