Chartair: Airline celebrates 50 years of flying in the Northern Territory

A hybrid electric-hydrogen powered aircraft capable of vertical takeoff is in the pipeline, Chartair confirms amid its 50th year anniversary.

Amid their 50 year anniversary of soaring across the Territory, operational airline Chartair hopes to have new aircraft flying across the Top End and Red Centre. Picture: Supplied.

While celebrating 50 years of flying across the outback, senior leaders of one of Australia’s longest serving airline operators are planning a new course in how to help regional and remote Territorians.

This month, premier airline Chartair celebrated half a century of serving Territorians, with the company having first taken flight in 1974.

Amid the 50-year anniversary, Chartair chief executive Luke Fisher toured facilities in both Darwin and Alice Springs, which the company recently announced new positions for skilled workers.

Chartair is celebrating 50 years of serving the Territory. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Fisher said the company’s flights remained as “vital” today as they were in the past.

“Chartair’s flights are vital to the communities we serve and allow people to access critical services such as medical treatment, while our freight operations deliver anything from pets to birthday cakes and everything in between,” he said.

“We are proud to have supported Territorians over the past 50 years by providing an efficient and safe transport option that often means avoiding long road trips.”

Chartair is hoping launch new model aircraft in the coming years. Picture: Chartair.

Company owner Matthew Kline maintained he was proud of the company and said a unique aircraft could soon be soaring across the Territory.

“We are already planning for the future through investment in new aircraft and engagement around new opportunities,” he said.

“We are planning to roll out new hydrogen-electric powered vertical takeoff aircraft in the coming years that we believe will be well suited to operating in the Northern Territory and will allow us to explore new markets while supporting our existing operations.”

The vision follows Chartair’s announced in February that the company had paid deposits and signed a conditional order for 10 Vertiia eVTOL aircraft – hybrid electric-hydrogen powered aircraft capable of vertical takeoff.

Mr Kline said the decision was part of the company’s long-term plan to serve the Territory.

“We are planning for the long term to ensure Chartair can continue to serve the people of the Northern Territory well into the future.”