Air Chathams Continues Community Investment Despite Rising Fuel Prices

A local airline is continuing to support the Eastern Bay through its Community Connection Fund.

Air Chathams Chief Executive Duane Emeny said they receive lots of requests for support across the 8 communities they serve, too many to handle on an “ad hoc” basis.

“The team sort of put their heads together and said, well, ‘What's a better way of doing this so that we can have even greater impact on those regions we fly to?’” he said.

From this, the airline developed the Community Connection Fund, an initiative providing free or discounted flights to community groups that reflect its values of community and connection.

Emeny said there are some amazing community organisations and not-for-profits in the Eastern Bay of Plenty who can reap the benefits of the initiative, through help with travel costs.

“We're very keen to supply contra travel as part of the scheme to anything that meets the parameters.”

As a wholly owned family business, Emeny said the airline values family and community, with a strong focus on connecting people and regions.

“It's all about supporting the communities that support us.”

The Community Connection Fund is an internal project, and budgeting from current inventory will allow the airline to provide discounted or complimentary flights.

Emeny said at this stage the sponsorship includes help with travel costs only; however, if a cause ticks all the right boxes, “and we really want to get in behind it,” there could be an opportunity for cash sponsorship too.

Air Chathams is currently facing financial pressure as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East drives fuel prices higher.

A $20 fuel surcharge has been added to all air fares, and flights to and from Whakatāne have been cut by 45%.

Emeny said any community concerns about the airline’s ability to fund the initiative are valid.

“These things don't happen overnight,” explained Emeny.

“It's something that the team's been thinking about since February, when we have an annual planning session.”

He said the sponsorship initiative is something the airline really wants to achieve this year.

“We got to a point where, sure, the fuel crisis is absolutely hurting a lot of businesses — especially aviation businesses. However, we still feel that this is an important way to give back to the communities that we operate and fly to. So we wanted to push on with it.

Emeny encourages anyone who thinks their group will resonate with the airlines values to apply via their website.