GCH Aviation Group Expands into Luxury Charter Jet Market

GCH Aviation is boosting its investment in tourism infrastructure by bringing a new Bombardier Challenger 604 charter jet to its Christchurch base and servicing New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands and beyond.

The aircraft’s range is up to 4,000 nautical miles and can reach destinations such as Tahiti, all of Australia, most Pacific Islands and even up to Indonesia in one hop from Christchurch.

John Currie, Managing Director and founder of the GCH Aviation Group said the purchase of the aircraft may relieve frustration for business travellers who need to travel to a business meeting on the eastern seaboard of Australia and back in a day. John said the uses for the aircraft are endless with 10 seats, the aircraft can be used for groups heading off for special events such as day trips to The Melbourne Cup, major motor racing, concerts and has great potential for national and international incentive business.

Considering recent events such as White Island and our own Christchurch Mosque shootings, GCH Aviation has also invested in a spectrum emergency transport kit for medical patients that require transport from anywhere in the Pacific region. This medical transport service will be in conjunction with the GCH Aviation NZ Flying Doctors teams and the aircraft can turn from a luxury jet to a medical transport at a moment’s notice. “It makes sense to us to have this service on standby as it can be supported by our existing air ambulance services” said John Currie.

GCH Aviation Group Chief Executive, Andrew Currie says the purchase of the Bombardier Challenger 604 jet continues to expand the GCH group’s tourism, commercial and medical aviation services across New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Andrew Currie said GCH Aviation is continuing to grow its infrastructure and focused on growing the premium tourism sector in New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu.

The group’s 9,000 sqm Christchurch facility has direct access to the Christchurch Airport runway, and dedicated helipads.

The jet purchase will complement Christchurch’s first full-service jet centre which services the South Island’s corporate aviation market, with hangar parking and overnight facilities for jets, a private terminal, ground handling, catering, plus Immigration & Customs services.

GCH Aviation is headquartered in Christchurch at an award-winning purpose-built base opened in 2017.

The group has other bases in Kaikoura, Nelson, Greymouth, Wellington, Vanuatu and Fiji, the company owns more than 30 aircraft and employs over 120 staff across its helicopter and fixed wing aircraft services which as well as tourism flights, also includes certified flight training, air rescue and ambulance operations.

Established in 1983, is a family owned company and GCH Aviation is the only aviation company in New Zealand and Fiji to be accepted into the prestigious Virtuoso travel network. GCH Aviation is also the only company to hold the prestigious Helicopter Association of New Zealand Diamond Safety Award for 30+ years continuous service without injury accident to self, passengers or crew. It also holds a Qualmark Gold endorsement, and the GCH Aviation Group was a finalist in the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2019.

Website: www.gchaviation.com

For further information and images, please contact:
Caroline Blanchfield
Group Marketing Manager
Tel: 021 914 188
Email: caroline.blanchfield@gchaviation.com