Direct Entry Captain

Join Air Chathams as a Direct Entry Captain!
Air Chathams has a rare opportunity to join our dynamic team as direct entry captains based on the Chatham Islands. In this role you will be flying turboprop SAAB aircraft domestically throughout New Zealand and areas of the South Pacific.

About Air Chathams
Owned by the Emeny family, Air Chathams has been proudly operating for over forty years. Originally established to serve the Chatham Islands, we have grown into a respected airline with scheduled and charter services across New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific. Our team is at the heart of everything we do, and we take pride in delivering excellent service while maintaining a strong focus on safety and reliability.

Why Choose Air Chathams?

• Incredible Variety of Flying: At Air Chathams, no two days are the same. Our pilots enjoy a dynamic mix of scheduled regional services and exciting charter flights—ranging from transporting international tour groups and sporting teams, to flying corporate executives and well-known bands across New Zealand. It’s rewarding, diverse, and keeps your flying career interesting.
• Community Impact: We proudly serve some of New Zealand’s most remote and underserved communities, ensuring essential air connectivity where it’s needed most. As a pilot here, you’ll be making a real social difference—supporting medical transfers, freight deliveries, and vital passenger services to regions that rely on us.
• Tight-Knit Team Environment: With fewer than 50 pilots, Air Chathams offers a collegial, family-like workplace where you’ll know everyone on a first-name basis. You’re not just a number—you’re a valued part of a passionate and fun team that genuinely supports each other.
• Culture of Safety and Support: While safety remains a core priority, our commitment goes beyond compliance. We embrace a just culture, encouraging open communication and continuous learning. Pilots are empowered, respected, and supported throughout their career journey.
• Career Growth Without the Big Airline Bureaucracy: We back our pilots with professional development, upgrade opportunities, and the chance to fly multiple aircraft types. You’ll gain real hands-on experience that you might wait years for elsewhere.
• A Fun Place to Work: Ask any of our crew—the camaraderie, variety, and shared sense of purpose make Air Chathams a place where people genuinely enjoy coming to work.

Essential Qualifications and experience:

• New Zealand or Australian ATPL
• Minimum of 3000 hours total flight time
• Minimum of 500 hours command Pt 121
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Commitment to safety and operational excellence
• Able to work in New Zealand

Captain Recruitment and Retention Incentive and Mainland Relocation Support Package:

The following package is available to a successful candidate who, immediately before taking up the appointment:

• Is permanently based and ordinarily resident on mainland New Zealand; and
• Is required to relocate their primary place of residence to the Chatham Islands to undertake the position.

The package consists of:

• Captain recruitment and retention incentive: $30,000 per annum, payable fortnightly while the employee remains appointed and based as a Chatham Islands Saab 340 Captain
• Accommodation support: $26,000 per annum payable fortnightly, equivalent to $500 per week
• Relocation assistance: reimbursement of relocation expenses up to $5,000 during the first year,
• Financial support towards shipping a vehicle to the Chatham Islands; and
• Assistance with sourcing suitable accommodation in the Chatham Islands.

The captain recruitment and retention incentive and accommodation support have a combined annual value of $56,000. Including relocation assistance, the first-year value is up to $61,000, plus the agreed financial support for vehicle shipping.

Apply now and be part of the Air Chathams journey.