Kiwi Regional Airlines (Hamilton, NZ) has confirmed a revised launch date of Tuesday, October 27 having secured its Part 121 Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAANZ) on Thursday, October 22.

"The last airline to be given the Part 121 Rating certification was in 2004, with Kiwi Regional Airlines now joining Air New Zealand (NZ, Auckland International), Jetstar Airways (JQ, Melbourne Tullamarine) and others in the large airline category of New Zealand aviation," Chief Executive Ewan Wilson said. "The CAA Air Operating Certificate also means the airline is now able to fly charter flights throughout the country. That's something that larger corporates have already shown a lot of interest in and we're glad we can now assist them with their travel arrangements."

Using Saab 340A ZK-KRA (msn 340A-065), the start-up plans to launch with a double-daily return Dunedin-Queenstown International flight complimenting a daily Dunedin-Nelson, NZ-Hamilton, NZ return flight. Other destinations under consideration for 2016 include Auckland Whenuapai (subject to Royal New Zealand Air Force approval), Auckland International, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Wellington, and Blenheim.