Guests formed a welcoming party at Whanganui Airport on Friday night as Air Chathams introduced their new ATR 72 aircraft.
The 68-seater plane arrived in Whanganui at approximately 7.20pm and was blessed moments later by John Maihi.
![After a one week delay, Air Chathams' new ATR 72 aircraft arrives at Whanganui Airport. Photo / Bevan Conley](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/ZN2T23N7NQWIDOI55ANBC7C7ZU.jpg?auth=e02c18dc40ba2d031d258521fbdbf5b29d1270c556327256ea98e911fd4007ee&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall then spoke, followed by Air Chathams airline and charter general manager Duane Emeny and Whanganui & Partners chief executive Mark Ward.
The arrival of the aircraft was delayed by a week due to an administrative delay relating to it's maintenance programme, but it is now in operation.