Direct flights from New Zealand to Norfolk Island to end as Air Chathams pulls out

Air Chathams has announced it will end its seasonal direct flights from Auckland to Norfolk Island after April. Currently the airline has a scheduled flight once a week between the two centres, but in future it will operate on a charter basis. CCO Duane Emeny told Stuff the decision was “unfortunate”. “Due to escalating costs to operate this international flight into Norfolk International Airport and a reduction in route support subsidies provided by Norfolk Island Regional Council, we have decided that our ATR aircraft asset is best utilised on other parts of our New Zealand scheduled and charter network. “We will work with long standing tour operators on charter flights to Norfolk that align with key events on Norfolk Island that tend to experience good demand from Kiwi tourists and organised groups ie bowls clubs etc. However, the weekly schedule services will cease from April 2025.” He acknowledged the “huge support” the airline had received from the Norfolk Island community since scheduled services started in September 2019.<br/>