“One of the big challenges for businesses at the moment is retaining staff,” Emeny said.
“Everything is opening up and everyone is desperate for workers, especially good ones. You have to really look after your people.
“By maintaining those charters, we’re busier than we ever were. We need to make sure we can crew and load the aircraft, check passengers in, and take phone bookings. There are so many layers across the business that need to be adequately resourced.”
It was still going to be “a tough road” for the next couple of years, Emeny said.
“We found over the last few months the New Zealand dollar was performing very poorly against the US (dollar), and as an airline, we buy all our parts from overseas.
“That is expensive for us, and shipping costs are high. Fuel is still very expensive as well. It’s three times what it was when we went into the pandemic in 2020.
“The good news story is that we’re back doing what we do, and we have the clear support of central and local government.”
Air Chathams drew down a $500,000 loan from the Whanganui District Council in 2021, which was followed by funding from the Government’s Essential Transport Connectivity (ETC) Scheme.
The ETC ended in October this year.
A large capital investment was needed at the start of the year to complete work on aircraft before Covid-19 restrictions were dropped, Emeny said.
“That’s always the challenge with aviation. You can have a plane parked in the corner, but there are certain rather expensive components on it that will continue to tick away on calendar time.
“Whether you’re flying the aircraft or not, it’s costing you.”
Despite the turmoil in the aviation industry in the past two-and-a-half years, there had never been a time when he thought of packing it in, Emeny said.
“One thing my father [Craig Emeny, Air Chathams’ founder] says quite regularly is that coming out of the crisis is always the hardest part.
“All your people have been through hell and back to keep you where you need to be. It becomes that much more of a stretch to continue and build back.”
Loulou Krebs (left) and Lola Mackie will be behind the counter at Café JARS from early Wednesday morning. Photo / Bevan Conley
“I talked with Duane, and they [Air Chathams] wanted someone in here. Then it was just, ‘Yep, let’s do it’.”
Coffee, scones, muffins, and sausage rolls will be back on the menu for travellers.
“There will be as much home-baked stuff as I can manage while looking at healthy options,” Krebs said.
“I want to do toasties that are a bit flash, like your roast pumpkin and feta, along with Vogel’s toast with tomato and basil or smashed banana on them.”
Homemade relishes and pickles are also in the works - which is where the name of the café comes from.
Café JARS will be open Monday to Friday, and on Sunday afternoon.
