The Thai and New Zealand Prime Ministers toured NZAero, reminiscing about the legendary Royal Thai Air Force training aircraft that has served for more than 54 years.
On 21 Aug 2026 GMT+7 at Ardmore Airport hangar, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon accompanied Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to visit the aircraft and operations of NZAero, New Zealand's leading commercial aircraft manufacturer with over 70 years of history.
Stephen Burrow, NZAero's executive, briefed the leaders, emphasizing the close ties with the Royal Thai Air Force, especially the CT4 trainer, nicknamed "The Chicken," which has served the Thai Air Force for 54 years and trained over 3,500 pilots since 1973. King Bhumibol Adulyadej personally received the second production unit. They also viewed a video demonstrating the versatile Super PAC (Super 750 XL2) aircraft, suitable for agriculture, firefighting, and transport missions.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Top Flying Limited and NZAero to comprehensively support the Royal Thai Air Force's CT4 fleet through maintenance, engineering upgrades, spare parts management, and knowledge exchange and training, aiming to enhance safety and reliability in training future military pilots.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon praised Anutin as a "true pilot," noting his role as a volunteer organ transport pilot and medical team member, and expressed pride that Her Majesty the Queen of Thailand also began her initial flight training on the CT4 aircraft.
Anutin said proudly that no Thai Air Force personnel can be called pilots without first training on the CT4 aircraft. Her Majesty the Queen also began her initial flight training on this model before advancing to the Gripen fighter jet. He plans to propose to the Air Force Commander to consider acquiring additional aircraft from New Zealand, given that Thai personnel and instructors are very familiar with this type.
At the end of the visit, NZAero executives led both leaders to a flight demonstration, highlighted by Anutin piloting the CT/4E Airtainer as the main pilot, with Christopher Luxon alongside as co-pilot, creating a warm atmosphere and reaffirming the strong friendship between the two countries.