What Air Chathams does

Air Chathams is a New Zealand-based, privately-held regional airline founded in 1984 by Craig and Marion Emeny, headquartered in Waitangi on the Chatham Islands with mainland operations centered at Auckland Airport. The company operates scheduled passenger services across eight domestic destinations (Auckland, Whakatāne, Whanganui, Kāpiti Coast, Wellington, Christchurch, Chatham Islands, and Pitt Island) plus international scheduled flights to Norfolk Island commenced in September 2019. It has held an effective monopoly on Chatham Islands scheduled flights since 1996. The carrier moves approximately 140,000 passengers annually using a nine-aircraft fleet comprising ATR 72-500 and Saab 340 turbo-props for trunk regional routes and Cessna 206 piston aircraft for Pitt Island and scenic operations.

The business model spans passenger tickets, air cargo, charter services, scenic flights, and B2B simulator training. Revenue is generated through three fare tiers (Thrifty, Saver, Full Economy), ancillary fees (baggage, seat selection, credit card surcharges), unit-priced freight ($3.00/kg domestic, $4.13/kg Chatham Islands), and Multi-Pass prepaid voucher bundles (5 or 10 trips at up to 50% discount). A separate revenue stream comes from operating two Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand-certified full-flight simulators (B737-300 ICAO Doc 9625 Type VII and ATR72-500 JAR FSTD A Level D), which are leased to external airline operators including Airwork Group, Jet Connect, Jetstar, Heavy Lift, and Airlink across Australasia and the South Pacific. Ancillary revenue also includes advertising through the quarterly Air Chats inflight magazine.

Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer via the company's website, call center (0800 FLY NOW), and airport check-in counters, supplemented by a travel agent portal and a recently announced interline partnership with Air New Zealand (announced December 2025, effective March 24, 2026) enabling single-ticket bookings combining both airlines' networks. The company is wholly family-owned with no external institutional investors, employs 11–50 staff, and is led by CEO Duane Emeny. Operating pressures include fuel costs in Auckland having doubled from $500K to $1M monthly, driving recent schedule consolidation (April–June 2026), temporary fuel surcharges, and the planned July 31, 2026 suspension of the Auckland–Kāpiti Coast route.

Name

Air Chathams

Legal name

Air Chathams Limited

Website

https://airchathams.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Air Chathams is a New Zealand privately-held regional airline founded in 1984, serving 140,000+ annual passengers across eight domestic destinations plus Norfolk Island, with an exclusive monopoly on Chatham Islands flights since 1996 and ancillary revenue from cargo, charters, and certified simulator training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Airline Services

NAICS

Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation (481111), Scheduled Air Transportation (48111), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812), Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Flight Training (611512)

SIC

Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512), Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Island & Remote Region Regional Airlines (THABACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Essential Air Service (EAS) & Subsidized Regional Operators (THABACAC), On-Demand Scheduled Commuter (Part 135/Small Aircraft Scheduled) (THABACAN)

Keywords

• Regional airline services
• Scheduled passenger flights
• Air cargo transport
• Flight simulator training
• Charter scenic flights

Headquarters

HQ city

Waitangi

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Passenger Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from scheduled domestic passenger flights between Auckland and regional destinations including Whakatāne, Whanganui, Kāpiti Coast, Wellington, Christchurch, Chatham Islands, and Pitt Island. Three fare classes available: Thrifty (non-refundable, cheapest), Saver (changeable/transferable with fee), and Full Economy (fully flexible/refundable).
2. Air Cargo and Freight Services: Freight transportation to all destinations. Domestic freight charged at $3.00 per kilogram with minimum $29.99 per package, plus 20% surcharge. Chatham Islands freight at $4.13 per kilogram with minimum $24.99. Live animal transport available with handling fees.
3. Ancillary Services: Additional revenue from baggage fees (checked bags, excess baggage), seat selection fees ($5 standard, $15 premium/exit row), credit card processing fees, unaccompanied minor fees, and bulky item handling charges.
4. Multi-Pass Prepaid Vouchers: Prepaid bulk travel vouchers sold in bundles of 5 or 10 one-way trips at discounted rates, providing upfront revenue and encouraging repeat business from frequent travelers.
5. Simulator Services: Flight simulation training services offered to external clients including Airwork Group, Jet Connect, Jet Star, Heavy lift, and Airlink for B737-300 and ATR72-500 simulator training.
6. Air Chats Inflight Magazine: Quarterly inflight magazine reaching 140,000 annual passengers with advertising opportunities for businesses targeting travelers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Air Chathams operates scheduled regional passenger flights connecting Auckland to eight destinations across New Zealand including Whakatāne, Whanganui, Kāpiti Coast, Wellington, Christchurch, the Chatham Islands, and Pitt Island. The airline also provides air cargo and freight transport, charter services, scenic flights, and B737/ATR72 flight simulator training to aviation clients across Australasia.

Product overview

Air Chathams is New Zealand's largest privately-owned airline offering scheduled passenger flights, charter services, and air cargo across regional New Zealand and to remote Pacific islands. The core offering includes scheduled domestic flights connecting Auckland, Whakatāne, Whanganui, Kāpiti Coast, Wellington, and Christchurch, plus essential lifeline services to Chatham Islands and Pitt Island. Supporting products include the Green Miles frequent flyer loyalty program and Multi-Pass prepaid travel vouchers for frequent travelers. The company also operates AC Charters for private flights, scenic flight experiences, and flight simulator training services (B737 and ATR72 simulators). Air cargo services transport freight to all destinations, including live animals and perishable goods. The fleet consists of ATR 72, Saab 340, and Cessna 206 aircraft.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Green Miles: Air Chathams frequent flyer loyalty program allowing passengers to earn and redeem miles for flights.
• Multi-Pass
• Air Chats

Products and services

• Scheduled Passenger Flights
• Air Cargo Services
• Charter Flights (AC Charters)
• Scenic Flights
• Simulator Training Services
• Green Miles Loyalty Program
• Multi-Pass Prepaid Vouchers

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving Chatham Islands as sole airline provider since 1996
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Air New ZealandcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 December 2025Interline partnership launched December 2025, effective March 24, 2026, enabling customers to book single domestic tickets combining both airlines' services with through check-in for baggage. Partnership focuses on improving connectivity for Whakatāne in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, allowing smoother connections to destinations like Queenstown and Christchurch. Both airlines have indicated this is the beginning of more partnerships to support regional connectivity.
• CarbonClickminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarbon offset partnership allowing customers to offset their carbon emissions when booking flights. Air Chathams has partnered with CarbonClick to empower customers to reduce environmental impact of their travels and take meaningful climate action.
• SPS Biota / Chatham Islands CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiosecurity partnership supporting Chatham Islands border biosecurity program. SPS Biota supports the Chatham Islands Council with pest management and biosecurity compliance for freight and passenger arrivals to maintain the pest-free status of the islands.
• PlanebizminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGround handling services provider for Chatham Islands flights from Christchurch Airport, handling passenger check-in and services on behalf of Air Chathams.
• Airwork GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerB737 simulator training services customer. Airwork Group utilizes Air Chathams' B737-300 CAE simulator for pilot training and assessments.
• Jet Connect (Air New Zealand)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerB737 simulator training services customer. Jet Connect utilizes Air Chathams' B737-300 CAE simulator for pilot training.
• JetstarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerB737 simulator training services customer. Jetstar utilizes Air Chathams' B737-300 CAE simulator for pilot training.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• CAE Inc. Canadian-based global leader in civil aviation training and flight simulator manufacturing. Comparable on the simulator services line of business where Air Chathams competes for outsourced pilot training demand using CAE-built equipment.
• Airwork Group: New Zealand-based aviation services company offering aircraft maintenance, engineering, and pilot training. Comparable as a New Zealand aviation services peer and an actual enterprise customer of Air Chathams' simulator business.

Regional players

• Air Vanuatu: National airline of Vanuatu operating scheduled passenger and cargo services to remote South Pacific island destinations. Comparable as a regional carrier serving small, geographically isolated island communities reliant on air access.
• Air Niugini: National airline of Papua New Guinea operating scheduled domestic and international passenger and cargo services across remote island and highland routes. Comparable as a regional carrier addressing lifeline- and tourism-driven demand in dispersed island geographies.

Direct peers

• Sounds Air: New Zealand regional carrier operating scheduled passenger flights between Wellington and Picton, plus charter and freight services. Closest direct peer in scale and operations to Air Chathams' mainland New Zealand regional network.
• Barrier Air: Auckland-based regional airline operating scheduled services to Great Barrier Island and other North Island destinations. Comparable in fleet size, regional New Zealand focus, and passenger-cargo mix to Air Chathams.
• Air Safaris: New Zealand operator based in Canterbury offering scenic and charter flights across the South Island's alpine regions. Comparable as a small privately-held New Zealand aviation operator combining scheduled charter activity with scenic tourism.
• Stewart Island Flights: Small New Zealand regional carrier providing scheduled passenger and freight services between Invercargill and Stewart Island (Rakiura). Directly comparable to Air Chathams' lifeline-services model to remote communities.
• Air Milford: New Zealand operator specializing in scenic flights and private charters in Fiordland and the Southern Lakes region. Comparable as a small New Zealand aviation operator combining charter/scenic services with scheduled activity.

Broad incumbents

• Air New Zealand: New Zealand's national flag carrier operating scheduled domestic and international passenger and cargo services across an extensive network. Functions as both the dominant incumbent and interline partner for Air Chathams, providing distribution and competitive context.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/air-chathams-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Air Chathams