Air Chathams proposes Whanganui base over new taxiway investment
Air Chathams’ Chief Operating Officer, Duane Emeny, has proposed that the Whanganui District Council prioritize establishing a direct route between Whanganui and Christchurch. This alternative investment could bring significant economic growth to the region, potentially outweighing the benefits of a new parallel taxiway. Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, Emeny emphasized that such a route would offer “significant long-term commercial and social benefits” to the community. At the same time, a parallel taxiway is viewed as “an unnecessary luxury.”
Air Chathams, the sole scheduled airline servicing Whanganui Airport from Auckland International, believes that the current airport facilities suffice for its operations, despite the airport also accommodating a fair amount of general aviation traffic and housing the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy.
The Whanganui District Council and the New Zealand government co-own the airport, and a draft long-term plan includes constructing a parallel taxiway. However, this project hinges on the government providing half of the required funding, which has not been confirmed.
During recent public hearings on the long-term plan, Emeny noted that while Air Chathams initially supported the taxiway, it now sees it as a non-essential expenditure, especially when other public services face cuts to avoid increasing rates. He pointed out that the proposed taxiway wouldn’t accommodate their aircraft, which are too heavy, and there have been no incidents that the taxiway would have prevented.
Emeny proposed that the council invest in a new route to Christchurch, suggesting that the investment be structured as a loan rather than a capital outlay. In exchange, Air Chathams would consider relocating its North Island base from Auckland to Whanganui. This potential relocation, he highlighted, could bring significant economic benefits to the region, including job creation and increased tourism.
“The investment would be structured as a loan rather than a capex spend without recovery,” Emeny explained, adding that while marketing support and aeronautical fee reductions are appreciated, they are insufficient to justify the risk of opening a new route. He elaborated that if feasible routes to Auckland and Christchurch were established, there would be a compelling business case for moving Auckland operations and aircraft maintenance to Whanganui. However, he also acknowledged the potential challenges and risks associated with such a relocation, including the need for significant infrastructure upgrades and the possible impact on existing operations in Auckland.
“Some of [our Auckland] commercial leases, which is a significant portion of what we pay each year, could be improved if we worked with your council to explore possibilities in Whanganui,” he said.
According to ch-aviation fleets data, Air Chathams operates eight aircraft, including two ATR72-500s, one Saab 340A, two Saab 340A(F)s, two Saab 340A(QC)s, and one Saab 340B. The airline serves seven destinations within New Zealand: Auckland, Whanganui, Chatham Island, Paraparaumu, Whakatane, Wellington, and Christchurch.
“NZ’s Air Chathams suggests Whanganui base instead of taxiway”, Ch-Aviation News. Read more