The Air NZ Beech 1900 made its final arrival and departure flights from Tauranga this afternoon.

The aeroplane arrived at Tauranga Airport from Auckland at 3.15pm today and departed back to Auckland at 3.50pm.

Passengers aboard the Air NZ Beech 1900 shook hands with the captain as it made its final flights this afternoon. Photos: Cameron Avery.

Tauranga radio journalist, and avid aeroplane enthusiast, Grayson Ottaway says it is the last ever flight to and from Tauranga for the Air NZ Beech 1900.

Grayson says every time an aeroplane makes its first or final flight a water cannon salute is traditionally given to signify the important event, but it is now against Air New Zealand policy.

A SunLive reporter at the scene says the arrival flight appeared to be full and passengers were shaking the captain's hand as they walked off the aircraft.

Air New Zealand corporate communications manager Brigitte Ransom says in November 2014, Air NZ announced it would gradually withdraw the 19-seat Beech aircraft from its fleet and move to operating 50-seat Q300 aircraft in its place on routes where sufficient demand exists.

'Our Tauranga to Auckland service has been operating predominantly by 50-seat aircraft for several years, with some services flown by the smaller Beech and larger 68-seat ATR aircraft.

'The last of the scheduled Beech services will operate on the route today with Auckland to Tauranga serviced by predominantly 50-seat and some 68-seat services from tomorrow.”

Brigitte says the Beech aircraft will continue flying to a number of other ports on Air New Zealand's regional network for some months.