Air New Zealand Limited is the flag carrier airline of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 20 domestic and 32 international destinations in 20 countries, primarily around and within the Pacific Rim. The airline has been a member of the Star Alliance since 1999. Air New Zealand originated in 1940 as Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), a company operating trans-Tasman flights between New Zealand and Australia. TEAL became wholly owned by the New Zealand Government in 1965, whereupon it was renamed Air New Zealand. The airline served international routes until 1978, when the government merged it and the domestic New Zealand National Airways Corporation (NAC) into a single airline under the Air New Zealand name.
Introduction
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand | Introduction
New Zealand Auckland New Zealand Auckland, New Zealand.
is turkish airlines a member of the star alliance
user
Yes, from December 2006.
assistant
what is this alliance?
user
The world's largest global airline alliance.
assistant
why was it formed?
user
Sorry. I cannot find the answer based on the context.
assistant
who were the members?
user
VARIG, Ansett Australia and Air New Zealand.
assistant
what is the silver category?
user
It recognizes that you have shown a good degree of loyalty to Star Alliance member airlines and earns you two privileges that can make your journey smoother.
assistant
what about the gold?
user
It is given to customers who have reached a higher level of a member airline's frequent-flyer program.
assistant
earlier you mentioned about a few airlines, where is the third airline from?
user
Air New Zealand Limited is the flag carrier airline of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 20 domestic and 32 international destinations in 20 countries, primarily around and within the Pacific Rim. The airline has been a member of the Star Alliance since 1999. Air New Zealand originated in 1940 as Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), a company operating trans-Tasman flights between New Zealand and Australia. TEAL became wholly owned by the New Zealand Government in 1965, whereupon it was renamed Air New Zealand. The airline served international routes until 1978, when the government merged it and the domestic New Zealand National Airways Corporation (NAC) into a single airline under the Air New Zealand name.
Air New Zealand | Introduction
These are only available to Works or Works Deluxe passengers, and only Airpoints Gold Elite and Gold members of Air New Zealand's Airpoints frequent flyer programme are allocated these seats.
Air New Zealand | Tasman and Pacific
Air New Zealand Link was formed as the brand name for regional services in 1991, covering the three airlines Air New Zealand had purchased interests in: Eagle Airways, Mount Cook Airline and Air Nelson. The three airlines were purchased as Air New Zealand found it not viable to operate its own regional services due to the introduction of new competition, Ansett New Zealand. The airlines were purchased as below:
Air New Zealand Link | History
New Zealand showed its pride at being the location for "The Lord of the Rings", at the premiere in Wellington of the third film in the trilogy, "". An Air New Zealand Boeing 747-400 flew in "Lord of the Rings" livery in a historic flight over Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Gisborne and Napier, "enabling more than two million people, one in two New Zealanders, to share in the excitement of The Lord of the Rings". This was the first time that a 747-400 had undertaken such a flypast in New Zealand.
Flypast | Entertainment
For the growing provincial routes, it was a Dutch-built 30-seat airliner that would be the true successor to the DC-3. The Fokker F27-100 short-haul airliner suited the NAC provincial network perfectly and, like the Viscount, was Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop-powered would prove popular. The 'Friendship' had been flying since 1956. However, the British government attempted to force NAC's hand into purchasing the similar Handley Page Herald, reminding their New Zealand counterparts of possible trade tariffs being imposed on purchasing a 'foreign' aircraft. A British European Airways-owned Herald was flown out to New Zealand and participated in the opening of Wellington's rebuilt airport, putting on a short field and extreme manoeuvering air display.
New Zealand National Airways Corporation | Fokker F27 Friendship
Golden Bay Air Limited is a small airline based in Takaka, New Zealand. The airline currently operates three light aircraft from Takaka to Wellington and Karamea, and also from Nelson to Takaka and Karamea with connecting road shuttle services to the Abel Tasman National Park, the Heaphy Track in the Kahurangi National Park and to and from Takaka township. Other services provided by the airline include charter flights around New Zealand flown on demand and preset scenic routes around the National Parks as well as Farewell Spit.
Golden Bay Air | Introduction
Air New Zealand Link was a brand name under which Air New Zealand's subsidiary regional airlines operate flights. They primarily connect regional centres with New Zealand's three main international airports, Auckland Airport, Wellington International Airport, and Christchurch International Airport. The regional airlines have since been combined with their parent Air New Zealand. They were Mount Cook Airline, Air Nelson and Eagle Airways.
Air New Zealand Link | Introduction
The history of Air New Zealand, the national carrier of New Zealand, began when the amalgamated East Coast Airways and Cook Strait Airways began operations in January 1936 as Union Airways of New Zealand, the country's first major airline. Union Airways was the sole New Zealand aviation partner in Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), which made its inaugural flight in 1940. The New Zealand Government bought full ownership of TEAL in 1961 and the airline was renamed Air New Zealand in 1965. New Zealand's domestic airline, National Airways Corporation (NAC), was merged with Air New Zealand in 1978. Air New Zealand was privatised in 1989 but in 2001 the New Zealand Government took up 80% ownership in return for injecting $885 million after the airline ran into financial difficulty.
History of Air New Zealand | Introduction
In 2011, Air New Zealand introduced the Boeing 777-300ER airliner, as well as the Economy Skycouch, a set of three economy class seats that could be converted into a flat multi-purpose surface by raising the leg rests. After a four-year delay, Air New Zealand took delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 on 9 July 2014. The airline retired its last Boeing 747-400 in September 2014, the last Boeing 737 in September 2015, and the last Boeing 767 in March 2017, leaving it with a simplified fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft for short-haul and Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft for long-haul.
History of Air New Zealand | 2010s
Air New Zealand was privatised in 1989, but returned to majority government ownership in 2001 after near bankruptcy due to a failed tie up with Australian carrier Ansett Australia. In the 2017 financial year to June, Air New Zealand carried 15.95 million passengers. Air New Zealand's route network focuses on Australasia and the South Pacific, with long-haul flight services to eastern Asia, the Americas and the United Kingdom. It was the last airline to circumnavigate the world with flights to London's Heathrow Airport via both Los Angeles and Hong Kong. The latter ended in March 2013 when Air New Zealand stopped Hong Kong – London flights, in favour of a codeshare agreement with Cathay Pacific.
Air New Zealand | Introduction
In 1978, the domestic airline National Airways Corporation (NAC) and its subsidiary Safe Air were merged into Air New Zealand to form a single national airline, further expanding the carrier's operations. As a result, NAC's Boeing 737 and Fokker F27 aircraft joined Air New Zealand's fleet alongside its DC-8 and DC-10 airliners. The merger also resulted in the airline having two IATA airline designators: TE from Air New Zealand and NZ from NAC. TE continued to be used for international flights and NZ for domestic flights until 1990, when international flights assumed the NZ code. In 1981, Air New Zealand introduced its first Boeing 747 airliner, and a year later initiated service to London via Los Angeles.
Air New Zealand | History
NAC's upgraded aircraft were branded as 'Skyliners'. In 1954, NAC asked the government to encourage the development of airports so it could operate the Convair 440 or the Elizabethan airliner.
New Zealand National Airways Corporation | Douglas DC-3
SPANZ owned three Douglas DC-3s, named after New Zealanders Jean Batten, George Bolt and Ernest Rutherford. It also leased a number of other aircraft. The DC-3s were unique as they were equipped with enlarged elongated cabin windows, giving them the name "Viewmaster". They also had refurbished interiors up to the standard of more modern types then operating. This caused the National Airways Corporation to upgrade its large fleet of DC-3s. SPANZ had wanted to operate Convair 440s cascaded from Ansett-ANA but the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand said that the airports to be used were substandard for the type.
South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand | Aircraft
New Zealand National Airways Corporation, popularly known as NAC, was the national domestic airline of New Zealand from 1947 until 1978 when it amalgamated with New Zealand's international airline, Air New Zealand. The airline was headquartered in Wellington. NAC was itself a government-led amalgamation of RNZAF 40 Transport Squadron, Union Airways and a number of other smaller operators, including the country's first commercial air service Air Travel (NZ) Ltd. At the time of its inception (1945), it was equipped with de Havilland Dragon Rapides, de Havilland Fox Moths, Douglas DC-3s, Lockheed Electras, Lockheed Lodestars, and one de Havilland Express which latter was returned to the RNZAF before the official 1947 inaugural start date.
New Zealand National Airways Corporation | Introduction
Due to the continuing downturn in passenger levels, parent company Air New Zealand ceased Eagle's expansion plans. In January 2009, a 19th aircraft due to arrive towards the end of that year was announced. This aircraft was to allow a lesser reliance on charter aircraft used on some of the new pioneer routes, while allowing a 'branded' Air New Zealand aircraft to promote the airline.
Eagle Airways | Air New Zealand's 19-seat operator
Air New Zealand Cargo is the only current subsidiary of Air New Zealand Limited. Air New Zealand had wholly owned subsidiary regional airlines – Air Nelson, Mount Cook Airline and Eagle Airways– that served secondary destinations in New Zealand. Together they made up Air New Zealand Link. On 26 August 2016 Eagle Airways ceased operations, in late 2019 Air Nelson and Mount Cook Airline were merged into its parent's operations. Subsidiary company Zeal320 was introduced to help combat increasing labour costs. Zeal320 operated Air New Zealand's trans-Tasman fleet of Airbus A320-200 aircraft under the Air New Zealand brand. On 31 July 2006, flights were re-numbered to the NZ700-999 series for trans-Tasman services, and NZ1000 series for domestic services.
Air New Zealand | Operations subsidiaries
The carrier saw increasing profits through 2004 and 2005. In 2004, the airline announced a comprehensive relaunch of its long-haul product, featuring the introduction of new seats in its business, premium economy, and economy class cabins. In 2003, Air New Zealand added the Airbus A320 airliner to its fleet for use on short-haul international flights, and later, domestic flights. In 2005, the airline received its first Boeing 777 aircraft (–200ER variant), and placed orders for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 2004. The airline later was announced as the launch customer for the -9 variant of the 787.
Air New Zealand | 21st century
The Boeing 767-300ERs are retrofitted with winglets to improve on more efficiencies this airliner has to offer. Although the Boeing 767 fleet has reduced due to the arrival of the Boeing 777-200ER, plans envisaged the Boeing 787-9 replacing the last of the type from 2014. The early 1990s saw new routes added:
History of Air New Zealand | Newer aircraft
The airline's main hub is Auckland Airport, located near Mangere in the southern part of the Auckland urban area. Air New Zealand is headquartered in a building called "The Hub", located from Auckland Airport, in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter.
Air New Zealand | Introduction
The aircraft retained its Singapore Airlines seat configuration of 26 business class and 245 economy class seats. A second 777-200ER was leased from Singapore Airlines in October of the same year, whilst retaining the same livery.
Air New Zealand fleet | Boeing 777-200ER
Also the Wellington to Taupo and Whangarei routes were discontinued. Final services were scheduled for 26 August 2016. Smaller commuter airlines expressed interest in taking up some services that were cut. Air New Zealand also announced the purchase of a further four ATR 72-600 airliners to make up lost seat capacity. Most staff from Eagle Airways were employed into Air New Zealand's other subsidiaries after going through the normal employment processes for Air New Zealand. Eagle Airways' engineering facilities were absorbed into Air New Zealand's regional maintenance facilities network, as they still service both Q300 and ATR fleet aircraft as required.
Eagle Airways | End of operations
The airline was established in 1990 and was owned by Airwork (50%) and New Zealand Post (50%). From 2007 all flights were operated solely by Airwork Ltd on behalf of New Zealand Post.
Air Post | History
During July 2002, the airline announced an order for 15 Airbus A320-200 aircraft, to replace Boeing 737-300 and Boeing 767-200 aircraft then in use on the Tasman. Five of these would be purchased by the airline, whilst the other ten were to be leased.
History of Air New Zealand | Rebirth and re-nationalisation
The Douglas DC-3 was the airline's major type right through to the mid-1960s with up to 27 being operated over time. NAC operated a large airfreight network using dedicated DC-3 cargo planes under the 'Freightair' banner. These aircraft operated into airports that were not on the regular passenger network, such as Opotiki, Masterton, Alexandra and Roxburgh. In the 1960s NAC's 12 best DC-3 "Douglas Liner" airframes were upgraded. This included better soundproofing, new interior fittings, and the fitting of larger windows. This was in response to competition in the provincial market from SPANZ, who operated DC-3s equipped with large double sized 'viewmaster' windows.
New Zealand National Airways Corporation | Douglas DC-3
All of Air New Zealand's A320-200s were registered to Zeal320 until 26 November 2008, when ownership of the fleet was transferred back to Air New Zealand. However, staff that worked the A320-200 fleet were still employed by this subsidiary. This was a source of contention within the airline group in which these employees were paid at a lower scale than their mainline counterparts. Continued industrial action by staff employed in this subsidiary during 2009 permanently delayed a proposed low-cost carrier airline as a successor to Freedom Air that would have also employed the Airbus A320 on domestic routes to counter Jetstar Airways, also operating in New Zealand.
Air New Zealand | Operations subsidiaries
The five 747-200s owned by Air New Zealand were all named after ancestral Maori canoes. 1985 saw the introduction of Boeing 767-200ER airliners to fill the large size gap between the Boeing 737 and 747 (the DC-8 and DC-10 had been withdrawn by 1983). In 1989 the airline was privatised with a sale to a consortium headed by Brierley Investments Ltd. (with remaining stakes held by Qantas, Japan Airlines, American Airlines, and the New Zealand government). The New Zealand air transport market underwent deregulation in 1990, prompting Air New Zealand to acquire a 50% stake in Ansett Australia in 1995.
Air New Zealand | History
By the end of the 1950s only nine Drovers were still in airline service worldwide. The last Drover to operate scheduled airline services in New Zealand was with Great Barrier Airlines was withdrawn from service in 1985 and replaced by a BN2A Islander.
De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover | Later operations
As of 29 February 2020, Air New Zealand operates a total of 114 aircraft. The jet fleet consists of 64 aircraft: 23 Airbus A320 and 11 Airbus A320/A321neo aircraft for short-haul flights, and eight Boeing 777-200ER, eight Boeing 777-300ER and fourteen Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jet aircraft for long-haul flights. The airline has ten Airbus A320/321neo, one Boeing 787-9, and eight Boeing 787-10 aircraft on order. The airline's turboprop fleet operates regional domestic services and consists of 50 aircraft: 27 ATR 72-600 aircraft and 23 Bombardier Q300 aircraft. Two ATR 72-600 aircraft are on order.
Air New Zealand | Fleet
This is a list of defunct airlines of New Zealand.
List of defunct airlines of New Zealand | Introduction
The Friendships served New Zealand for thirty years, latterly under Air New Zealand ownership, progressively being rundown through the 1980s before the last of the fleet was withdrawn in 1990.
New Zealand National Airways Corporation | Fokker F27 Friendship
A low-cost subsidiary, Freedom Air, began operations in 1996. In 1997 South Korean flights were suspended because of the Asian financial crisis, and a small partnership was formed with United Airlines. In 1998 EVA Air and Air New Zealand jointly started operating Boeing 767 services between Taipei and Auckland. In addition, Air New Zealand received three new Boeing Boeing 737-300s to operate on flights between New Zealand and Australia.
History of Air New Zealand | Expansion
Air New Zealand serves 20 domestic destinations and 30 international destinations in eighteen countries and territories across Asia, North America and Oceania. Air New Zealand operate four fifth freedom routes (i.e. between two non-New Zealand destinations). The airline operated weekly flights from Rarotonga to Sydney and Los Angeles, in addition to flights connecting via Auckland. In 2012, after securing a contract from the Australian government – Air New Zealand launched twice-weekly services from Sydney and Brisbane to Norfolk Island on its A320 aircraft.
Air New Zealand | Destinations
The increase in fleet size allowed Air New Zealand to start pioneering longer provincial routes that were considered sustainable with 50-seat aircraft, such as Wellington to Invercargill, New Plymouth and Tauranga to Christchurch. Air New Zealand has also used the Q300 to ramp up a more intensive high-frequency regional service allowing more departure choices. A new Paraparaumu to Auckland route was started in 2011. A second route from the Kapiti Coast was opened in 2013, Paraparaumu to Christchurch, but it could not be sustained and the short-lived service ceased in 2015.
Air Nelson | Full Air New Zealand ownership
Following a requirement for a passenger and mail carrier for the Australian company Larkin Aircraft Supply Company Limited an order was placed for a monoplane airliner designed by George H. Handasyde known as the Handasyde H.2. Handasyde, having no factory of their own, contracted Air Navigation and Engineering to build the aircraft on their behalf. Larkin had decided that the H.2 monoplane could not operate in the heat of Australia, and transferred the contract to supply a new airliner to A.N.E.C. Three ANEC III aircraft were built. The new design was an unequal-span biplane with a Rolls Royce Eagle IX engine.
ANEC III | History
As of 29 February 2020, the fleet consists of the following aircraft. The Boeing customer code for Air New Zealand was 19, which was inherited from the National Airways Corporation on its merger with Air New Zealand in 1978 (Air New Zealand itself did not own any Boeing aircraft before 1978). This means a Boeing 777-200ER built for Air New Zealand was designated a 777-219ER. Since the introduction of the Boeing 787, Boeing no longer uses customer codes.
Air New Zealand fleet | Current fleet
The IATA code of the airline was FN. In October 1990, Niue Airlines flew twenty-three pupils (and their parents and teachers) to the island after discovering it had 40 vacant seats on a flight. The group from Three Kings Primary School in Auckland, whose travel was arranged at no cost, was greeted with garlands of flowers, appeared on local television, had a short swim in the ocean and were then farewelled by Premier Sir Robert Rex after a whirlwind trip.
Niue Airline | Introduction
Airways New Zealand (Airways Corporation of New Zealand Limited) is the sole Air Traffic Service provider in New Zealand. The company was created 1987 as a State-Owned Enterprise having formerly being a division of the Ministry of Transport, a government department. This followed the recommendations of the 1986 Mason-Morris Review. Airways New Zealand is a commercial Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), responsible for managing all domestic and international air traffic operating within New Zealand's 30 million square kilometres of airspace over New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands. This involves: Airways was the world's first ATC provider to operate a fully automated conflict probe with their Oceanic Control System (OCS).
Airways New Zealand | Introduction
In early 1990 Air New Zealand took delivery of its first Boeing 747-400, but industrial action by pilots and cabin crew forced the first aircraft to be leased to Cathay Pacific. The company and its staff had to re-negotiate rates of pay and long hours in the air due to the model's then excellent range before the airliner entered mainline service. The first 747-400 flight finally took place in late 1990. In 1991 Air New Zealand received its first Boeing 767-300, a major improvement and supplement to the seven Boeing 767-200ERs then in service. The 767-300ER variant provided the option of increased range and capacity; it allowed Air New Zealand to open new routes into Asia and to increase frequency on the trans-Pacific service with the introduction of a second daily flight to Los Angeles via Honolulu and later a third via Rarotonga and Apia on alternating days.
History of Air New Zealand | Newer aircraft
On 19 November 2019, subsidiary Air Nelson was dissolved and merged into the main Air New Zealand airline. As a result, Air New Zealand acquired Air Nelson's fleet of 23 Bombardier Q300 turboprop aircraft.
Air New Zealand fleet | Bombardier Q300
Air New Zealand began as Tasman Empire Airways Limited, founded in 1939 by an international agreement between New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Its initial shareholders were the New Zealand Government, Union Airways of New Zealand, Qantas and the British Overseas Airways Corporation. It was formed to fly trans-Tasman routes and carry passengers, cargo and mail between Australia and New Zealand. Incorporated on 26 April 1940, it started operations four days later, on 30 April. Its first flight, flown with a Short S30 flying boat, connected Auckland and Sydney. Following World War II, TEAL operated weekly flights from Auckland to Sydney, and added Wellington and Fiji to its routings.
Air New Zealand | History
AVOD screen size varies: "KiaOra", the airline's in-flight magazine, was removed from international flights from March 2009. It is now only in seat backs on domestic and trans-Tasman services, however it can still be found in the inflight magazine racks on international flights. As a guide on international services, there is now a brief publication named "Entertainment Magazine" detailing the entertainment available on the flight, which also contains the buy on board 'in-Bites' menu.
Air New Zealand | In-flight entertainment and magazine
Air Travel (NZ) Limited, a small airline based in Hokitika, was the first airline in New Zealand to fly licensed scheduled air services. They took delivery of their first De Havilland biplane aircraft at the end of 1934 and made it their business to carry passengers, mail and freight to remote parts of the West Coast. Their ambulance services were particularly welcome. They were well known outside their region for taking tourists to the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. Immediately following the second world war all New Zealand's air services were nationalised. The equipment and staff of Air Travel joined those of Union Airways in the new government-owned New Zealand National Airways Corporation but Air Travel's aircraft and their routes kept a separate identity for some long time.
Air Travel (NZ) Ltd | Introduction
The fleet at the time of merger consisted of 26 aircraft:
New Zealand National Airways Corporation | Final Fleet
Airpoints is Air New Zealand's frequent-flyer programme. Members earn Airpoints Dollars, which they can redeem at face value on any fare on Air New Zealand ticketed and operated flights. Members can attain status tiers, with increasing privileges ranging from Silver to Gold, then Gold Elite, by accumulating their Status Points, which are earned separately from Airpoints Dollars. Airpoints Gold and Airpoints Gold Elite have the same recognition as Star Alliance Gold status and benefits across the Star Alliance network. Airpoints Silver status is equivalent to Star Alliance Silver. Airpoints members receive Status Points for almost every Air New Zealand flight, as well as many other flights with its Star Alliance partners.
Air New Zealand | Airpoints
Head Office - Christchurch. registered 15 May 1934 Original shareholders aside from the directors included a number of Franz Josef's Graham family and jeweller, J R Delahunty. Other families involved were: Cron, Nolan and Hende. "The Press" was a shareholder. The New Zealand National Airways Act (December) 1945 provided for compulsory acquisition of aircraft and other property held by Air Travel (any holder of an aircraft-service licence at the time the Act was passed) at any time before the end of 1947. New Zealand National Airways Corporation began business on 1 April 1947.
Air Travel (NZ) Ltd | Air Travel (NZ) Limited
From late September to early October 2006 the airline moved 1,000 employees from four buildings in the Auckland CBD and other buildings elsewhere. The company previously had its head office in the Quay Tower in the CBD. In its history the airline had its head office in Airways House on Customs Street East. The company also occupies premises at the Smales Farm Business Park in Takapuna on the North Shore, adjacent to the bus station and Northern motorway. It is home to the Contact Centre staff (additional to those at 'The Hub'), Tandem Travel and other services.
Air New Zealand | Head office
Air Nelson was a regional airline based in Nelson, New Zealand. It was founded as an independent airline in 1979. Air New Zealand took a 50% shareholding in 1988 and 100% ownership in 1995. Air Nelson operated services on provincial routes under the Air New Zealand Link brand. The airline operated one type of aircraft, the 50-seat Bombardier Q300, which provided an intensive regional air service that cannot be sustained with regional jet types of this size. Until 2008, it operated the 33-seat Saab 340, which took over provincial Fokker F27 services by Air New Zealand in 1990. Air Nelson Q300s wore the Air New Zealand livery and operated from Kerikeri in the far north of the North Island to Invercargill in the far south of the South Island.
Air Nelson | Introduction
The airline's first A321neo was unveiled on 26 September 2018 and arrived in Auckland on 5 November. The aircraft entered revenue service on 23 November 2018, operating between Auckland and Brisbane.
Air New Zealand fleet | Airbus A320neo and A321neo
The airline justified this new style of service (known as Express Class) on the basis that few people traveled business class and that travellers would rather save the money on airline ticket costs than pay extra for a meal. Although the company had online bookings for several years, it made internet sales its primary sales medium, abolished travel agents' commissions and added fees for agent, telephone and counter sales. The approach was an outstanding success, with a huge increase in internet bookings being recorded once the new fare structure was introduced, and domestic bookings eventually increasing by 23% on average.
History of Air New Zealand | Rebirth and re-nationalisation
The Air New Zealand fleet consists of Boeing jet aircraft for long-haul flights, and Airbus jet aircraft for domestic and short-haul international flights. The airline also operates ATR 72 and Bombardier Q300 turboprop aircraft on domestic services.
Air New Zealand fleet | Introduction
In 1975 the airline introduced a new "NAC Wings Of The Nation" livery - a two-toned orange colour scheme with the 'Godwit' roundel on an orange tailfin. Air New Zealand DC-10s or DC-8s were often hired to move burgeoning holidaymaker numbers which brought about the idea of purchasing the larger Boeing 727-200. This would've also allowed the airline to challenge Air New Zealand on Trans Tasman and Pacific Island routes. Boeing offered to buy back NAC's three original 737 models as trade-ins to help purchase costs and approached NAC with the then proposed B757/767 family, opening up new markets. McDonnell Douglas also joined in with a DC-10 offer to NAC, re-igniting the merger debate within the New Zealand Government.
New Zealand National Airways Corporation | Last years
Although chiefly a domestic airline, in late 1947 "NAC" also provided international services to some nearby South Pacific countries, using converted ex-Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Short Sunderland IIIs, as well as long-range Douglas DC-3Ds to Fiji via Norfolk Island. By the time of the merger with Air New Zealand, the fleet consisted of 25 aircraft comprising Boeing 737s and Fokker F27s. Engineering workshops were set up at Christchurch, Whenuapai (Auckland), Palmerston North, Gisborne and Nelson.
New Zealand National Airways Corporation | Introduction
In 2015 Zeal320 was removed from the New Zealand Companies Office.
Air New Zealand | Operations subsidiaries
Union Airways of New Zealand Limited was New Zealand's first major airline. It was founded in 1935 by local shipping giant Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand. Its services reached main centres from Auckland to Dunedin and extended to Gisborne and the West Coast of the South Island. Union Airways was instrumental in the establishment of Australian National Airways and TEAL. After the Second World War New Zealand's government nationalised Union Airways forming New Zealand National Airways Corporation taking over on 31 March 1947 all Union Airways operations assets and facilities and adding them to those taken from other local airlines.
Union Airways of N.Z. Ltd | Introduction
There are seven international airports and twenty-eight domestic airports. Air New Zealand, 52% government-owned, is the national carrier and a state owned enterprise. Airways New Zealand, another state owned enterprise, provides air traffic control and communications.
Economy of New Zealand | Airways
In October 1989 the Government of New Zealand privatised Air New Zealand, selling to a consortium headed by Brierley Investments. Brierley retained 65%, with 30% to be sold to the New Zealand public, staff, and institutional investors — Qantas with 19.9%, Japan Airlines 7.5%, American Airlines 7.5%, and a New Zealand Government "Kiwi share" made up the balance. The Kiwi share has special powers to ensure that New Zealanders retain the majority shareholding. In the same year Air New Zealand listed on the New Zealand Exchange.
History of Air New Zealand | New ownership and stock-exchange listing
The airline was established in 1995 as a response to the commencement of discount services between Australia and New Zealand by Kiwi Airlines and started operations on 8 December 1995 with a single Boeing 757. It was formed as South Pacific Air Charters by Mount Cook Airline. By 2004 its fleet had expanded to five Boeing 737-300 aircraft and it was providing direct non-stop services to the Australian cities of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne from Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Palmerston North. Flights to Fiji were also operated. It briefly operated on the New Zealand main trunk domestic routes such as Auckland–Christchurch, but ceased these services to concentrate on providing value trans-Tasman flights.
Freedom Air | History
Eagle Airways was a regional airline based in Hamilton, New Zealand and was wholly owned by Air New Zealand, operating regional services under the Air New Zealand Link brand. The airline was disbanded on 26 August 2016, with staff absorbed into Air New Zealand's other subsidiaries.
Eagle Airways | Introduction
Economy class is available on all aircraft, in a 3-3-3 configuration on the 787, and a 3-4-3 configuration on the 777-200ER and the 777-300ER aircraft. The seats have a pitch of , have a 6-inch recline, and have a flexible edge seat base to provide more leg support when reclined. Each seat has its own AVOD entertainment system, with a 9-inch screen on the 787 and 777-200ER, and a 10.6-inch touchscreen on the 777-300ER.
Air New Zealand | Economy
In the end, it was Air New Zealand that was threatened by the domestic market airline and the government acted.
New Zealand National Airways Corporation | Last years
air2there was an airline based in New Zealand. It began service in 2004, and was based at Kapiti Coast Airport, 60 km north of Wellington. It operated scheduled services across Cook Strait. Charter services to other New Zealand destinations were also available. Aero-medical flights were conducted from Wellington Airport using twin turbo prop aircraft. As of November 2018, air2there has not flown since June, and applications to liquidate the airline have been filed. The airline's Cessna Grand Caravan is up for sale
Air2there | Introduction
Air New Zealand took 100% ownership of Air Nelson in 1995. During October 2004 the airline announced that it was replacing its fleet of seventeen Saab 340As with seventeen Bombardier Dash 8 Q300 aircraft, with options for another ten Dash 8 Q300 and thirteen Dash 8 Q400 aircraft, although the latter aircraft options have since been dropped. The last Saab 340A aircraft had been withdrawn from service by the end of 2007. The company had 23 Dash 8 Q300 aircraft. Air Nelson was the largest singular operator of the Q300 outside Canada. Although Air Nelson looked towards ATR for the smaller ATR 42, Bombardier offered a better discount for a bulk purchase.
Air Nelson | Full Air New Zealand ownership
Air New Zealand introduced the Airbus A320-200 in 2003, the first non-Boeing aircraft in its jet fleet since the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 was withdrawn in 1982. The A320-200 was introduced to replace the Boeing 767-200ER and Boeing 737–300 on short-haul international routes to eastern Australia and the Pacific Islands. On 3 November 2009, Air New Zealand announced it would purchase fourteen more Airbus A320-200 aircraft to replace the Boeing 737-300 fleet on domestic routes. This allowed the airline to have a single aircraft family operating on all short-haul flights. The international A320s were originally fitted with 8 business class seats and 144 economy class seats; in 2010 they were refitted with a 168-seat all-economy cabin to coincide with a new fare structure on flights to Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Air New Zealand fleet | Airbus A320-200
The New Zealand and Australian governments purchased 50% stakes in TEAL in 1953, and the airline ended flying boat operations in favour of land-based turboprop airliners by 1960. In 1965, TEAL became Air New Zealand—the New Zealand government having purchased Australia's 50% stake in the carrier. With the increased range of the Douglas DC-8s the airline's first jet aircraft, Air New Zealand began transpacific services to the United States and Asia with Los Angeles and Honolulu added as destinations in 1965. The airline further acquired wide-body McDonnell Douglas DC-10 airliners in 1973. The DC-10s introduced the new koru-inspired logo for the airline, which remains to this day.
Air New Zealand | History
New Zealand's air travel sector is served by 15 airlines. The largest airline is Air New Zealand, a state-owned flag carrier.
Transport in New Zealand | Air transport
In 1947 a domestic competitor appeared in the form of the Government-owned National Airways Corporation (NAC), formed when the New Zealand government nationalised Union Airways and a number of other smaller operators. NAC was initially equipped with de Havilland Dragon Rapides, de Havilland Fox Moths, Douglas DC-3s, Lockheed Electras and Lockheed Super Electras. In the late 1940s NAC also provided international services to nearby South Pacific countries using converted ex Royal New Zealand Air Force Short Sunderlands. These were later supplemented by de Havilland Herons, Vickers Viscounts, Fokker Friendships and ultimately Boeing 737s. In 1972 NAC purchased a freight subsidiary, Straits Air Freight Express, which operated Bristol Freighters and Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy freighters.
History of Air New Zealand | Merger with NAC
This is a list of airlines that have an Air Operator Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand.
List of airlines of New Zealand | Introduction
In the past, Air New Zealand has flown the following aircraft (not including aircraft solely operated by TEAL and National Airways Corporation, or aircraft operated solely by Air New Zealand Link subsidiaries):
Air New Zealand fleet | Historic fleet
the Q300 fleet is considered old in Air New Zealand's fleet-age policy. Bombardier has sold its turboprop Q400 production facilities to Viking Aviation, choosing to focus on its Regional Jet family and Airbus Industries 220 twinjets. This has left Air Nelson with the only option of purchasing the ATR 42 or low-houred secondhand Q300 types. The Q300 airliners operate a very intensive service on busy regional routes and supplement Mount Cook Airline's ATR fleet to larger city centres. The transfer of heavy maintenance for Mount Cook Airline's ATR 72 fleet from Christchurch to Air Nelson's new facilities at Nelson Airport in 2013 has been seen as a prelude to further fleet rationalisation with the option of purchasing the ATR 42 as an option for Q300 replacement.
Air Nelson | The future
Air New Zealand introduced the Boeing 777-300ER in 2010 to replace the Boeing 747-400 on long-haul routes. The model was introduced to the flagship London Heathrow – Los Angeles – Auckland route (NZ1/NZ2) in April 2011. The 777-300ER was the first aircraft to feature the Economy Skycouch and the Premium Economy Spaceseat. As introduced, the aircraft had 338 seats – 44 business, 50 premium economy, 60 Economy Skycouch seats and 192 regular economy seats. Shortly after introduction, one premium economy row was removed, reducing the premium economy seats to 44 and the total seats on board to 332. Air New Zealand refurbished the 777-300ER fleet in 2017.
Air New Zealand fleet | Boeing 777-300ER
Air National was an airline based in Auckland, New Zealand. It operated domestic and international charter services and scheduled passenger services for Air New Zealand Link. Its main bases were Auckland International Airport
Air National | Introduction
BEA management offered to leave the demonstration Herald with NAC for a year to trial on proposed routes. The New Zealand government intervened saying the Fokker aircraft had already proved itself while the Herald was still in test mode for its changed powerplants. The Fokker F27s were also Rolls-Royce powered while most of its electronic and mechanical components were made in the United Kingdom, thus negating tariff restrictions. So the Dutch built airliner won the day and a large order over time. The Friendships began service with the first arriving in late 1960. Another seven arrived during 1961, launching provincial turbo-prop services to Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Nelson, Blenheim, and Invercargill.
New Zealand National Airways Corporation | Fokker F27 Friendship
Four purchase options were taken up in November 2014 when Air New Zealand announced the shutting down of Eagle Airways' flight operations and giving over route capacity to Mount Cook and Air Nelson The ATR-600s were delayed for four years due to the economic conditions of the time. The -600 model is a further development of the type including a revised cabin layout and RNP navigation to allow flights into New Zealand's more marginal weather dependant airports such as Wellington, Queenstown, Rotorua and Hamilton. Air New Zealand announced on 5 November 2015 that an order for an additional 15 ATR 72-600 aircraft, worth NZ$568 million, had been placed making Mount Cook Airlines the third-largest ATR fleet operator in the world with 29 ATR72-600 aircraft.
Mount Cook Airline | Fleet
Air New Zealand Flight NZ4734 was a flight from Gisborne which crashed while landing at to Auckland killing two of the four on board.
Air New Zealand Flight 4374 | Introduction
A fleet upgrade beginning in 2001 saw the wholesale adoption of the Beechcraft 1900D Airliner 19-seat aircraft of which 16 were ordered. ZK-EAP (MSN: UE-439) was the last 1900-series aircraft to be produced by Raytheon, closing the production line in October 2002. In 2006, route development and an increased air travel market saw the need for a 17th aircraft, and in 2007 ZK-EAQ became operational as the 17th Beech 1900D for Eagle. Wanaka was added to the network as a result. On 22 July 2008, Eagle Airways welcomed its 18th 1900D, creating more depth to the airline's fleet. Eagle pioneered new routes with the additional aircraft, with flights between Masterton and Auckland commencing in February 2009; and service between Christchurch and Westport, launched in July 2009.
Eagle Airways | Air New Zealand's 19-seat operator
The airline even released a billboard advertisement entitled "The Economy SkyCouch activity guide", suggesting "spoons" (hugs) were allowed, but "forks" (sexual activity) were not.
Air New Zealand | Economy SkyCouch
In October 2001, Air New Zealand was re-nationalised under a New Zealand government NZ$885 million rescue plan (with the government taking an 82% stake), and subsequently received new leadership. This act was the only thing that spared Air New Zealand from going into administration and likely grounding. In 2002, Air New Zealand reconfigured its domestic operations under a low-cost airline business plan, and the New Zealand government weighed (and later refused) a proposal from Qantas to purchase a one-fifth stake in the carrier. Air New Zealand returned to profitability in 2003, reporting a net profit of $NZ165.7 million for that year.
Air New Zealand | 21st century
Air New Zealand's 787-9 fleet uses the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. Owing to blade cracking in the engines, Air New Zealand in 2018 altered schedules and dry-leased two Boeing 777-200ER from Singapore Airlines and a Boeing 777-300ER from EVA Air. As of June 2019, the airline was still waiting for the issue to be rectified and return the aircraft to service. These events continue to have a financial impact on the airline.
Air New Zealand fleet | Boeing 787-9
Originair is an airline based in Nelson, New Zealand, that operates domestic flights in New Zealand. It was founded in 2015 by local businessman Robert Inglis, who had previously founded Air Nelson and Origin Pacific Airways. Originair commenced operations on 12 August 2015 with flights between Nelson and Palmerston North; it started flights between Nelson and Wellington the following month. The airline began its operations with one British Aerospace Jetstream 31 aircraft, and now operates a fleet of four aircraft, following the addition of another 2 Jetstream 32 aircraft.
Originair | Introduction
Services to Wellington began the following year, after the major reconstruction of Wellington's Rongotai Airport was completed a year later, two more Viscounts had joined the first by then. Services to Dunedin began late in 1962 with the purchase of the fourth aircraft in 1960, after the closure of Taieri Aerodrome to airliners and the opening of the larger Momona Airport further down the Taieri Plain. The famous 'Viscount Jump' effect saw passenger numbers swell. Powered by four Rolls-Royce Dart turboprops, the Viscount was two generations ahead of the DC-3. In 1966 NAC bought a second-hand aircraft, modifying it to 807 standards, bringing the fleet to five.
New Zealand National Airways Corporation | Vickers Viscount 807
NAC made a rare foray into the small airline business with the purchase in September 1961 of a one third shareholding in Tauranga based Bay of Plenty Airways. This was the only occasion NAC invested in another "passenger" airline but ironically it was two months before the airline's tragic loss of their Aero Commander on Mt Ruapehu. This directly led to Bay of Plenty Airways' demise. NAC took over the Wellington - Tauranga route outright shortly after.
New Zealand National Airways Corporation | Bay of Plenty Airways
New routes, such as Christchurch – Te Anau, and Hokitika – Wellington were mooted for the airline's continued expansion plans, however the economic downturn of the global financial crisis had an effect on air travel around New Zealand. Some of the lesser-performing routes were placed under review. The Oamaru – Christchurch route and the Westport - Christchurch route was suspended as a result in late 2009. While low numbers on the Wanaka – Christchurch route resulted in services ending in January 2013. The Masterton - Auckland route was suspended in late 2013 while the Wellington to Wanganui route was also discontinued in January 2014, both routes were uneconomic for the airline.
Eagle Airways | Tough times
At the start of June 2014, Air New Zealand announced it would be placing a NZ$1.6 billion order with Airbus for thirteen Airbus A320neo and Airbus A321neo aircraft. The aircraft will replace the airline's older Airbus A320s. The airline selected the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofan engine to power its A320neo fleet. In June 2017, delivery of the A320neo aircraft was delayed until 2018 due to delivery and mechanical issues with the Pratt & Whitney engines. In August 2018, Air New Zealand announced it was ordering seven more A321neo aircraft, taking the total order to six A320neos and fourteen A321neos.
Air New Zealand fleet | Airbus A320neo and A321neo
This is a list of destinations served by Air New Zealand. The airline serves 30 international destinations in 18 countries and territories. Twenty domestic destinations are served. Terminated destinations are also listed (excluding those served only by its predecessors, TEAL and National Airways Corporation). In the first quarter of 2020, the airline stopped serving many international destinations for at least 3 months due to the impact of COVID-19.
List of Air New Zealand destinations | Introduction
In response to increasing competition from low-cost carriers, namely Jetstar Airways, Air New Zealand replaced its cabin and service on short-haul international routes to Australia ("Tasman") and the Pacific Islands ("Pacific") with a new "Seats to Suit" service in 2010. Introduced on the Christchurch-Sydney route from 18 August 2010, the new service was rolled out on all routes on 17 November 2010. All international Airbus A320 aircraft were refitted with an all-economy cabin that supports four options of service. Long-haul Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft also operate on these routes. There are four options, building on each other: Air New Zealand has reintroduced Space+ seats on the Trans-tasman routes, with 35 inches of pitch in the first three rows of the A320s.
Air New Zealand | Tasman and Pacific
Freedom Air was Air New Zealand Group's low-cost airline which operated from December 1995 to March 2008. It ran scheduled passenger services from New Zealand to Australia and Fiji and charter services within New Zealand. Its main base was Auckland Airport.
Freedom Air | Introduction
Two of the five crew died. Early in 1968 two more DC-8-52s were ordered, the first arriving on 29 January and the second on 28 February; these had the same seating layout as the earlier planes but had slightly more powerful engines. A sixth DC-8 was leased from United Airlines in November 1970 and purchased in July 1971. A seventh and final DC-8 was purchased from United Airlines, this one in October 1971.
History of Air New Zealand | DC-8
Business Premier is the highest available class on Air New Zealand flights, available on both 777 variants and the 787 aircraft. The seating is configured in a herringbone layout in a 1-2-1 configuration on the 777s and 1-1-1 on the 787, allowing direct access for every passenger to an aisle. Each seat is wide leather and comes with an ottoman footrest that doubles as a visitor seat. The seat converts to a full-length () lie-flat bed.
Air New Zealand | Business Premier
On 3 July 1963, a NAC Douglas DC-3 crashed into the Kaimai Ranges in New Zealand's North Island while flying in clouds and turbulence. The aircraft was flying from Whenuapai, Auckland to Tauranga. The aircraft struck a vertical rock face after encountering a strong downdraft. The aircraft may also have commenced an early descent with the pilots unaware of the true position of the aircraft. All 23 people on board were killed. The wreckage remains on the hillside with a small memorial cairn beside it.
New Zealand National Airways Corporation | Kaimai disaster
Ex-NAC Dragon Rapides, Fox Moths, and DC-3s still fly in private and charter operator hands. Below is a list of known aircraft that flew with NAC.
New Zealand National Airways Corporation | Surviving aircraft
ANA also became the second airline to receive the Boeing 787–9 on 28 July 2014. Despite being second, the airline preceded launch customer Air New Zealand for the first commercial flight on the 787–9, a special sightseeing charter for Japanese and American school children on 4 August.
All Nippon Airways fleet | Boeing 787
The Fokker Friendship F27-500 was eight years old at the time of the crash. Until 1977 the aircraft had been operated by the New Zealand National Airways Corporation (NAC).
Air New Zealand Flight 4374 | Aircraft
This allowed the airline to service the trans-Tasman route with a more intensive frequency to the major capitals not allowed by the larger Boeing 747s. Flights to Perth also used the aircraft. The Boeing 767 was also used for main trunk domestic services.
History of Air New Zealand | 1980s
On 10 December 2019, subsidiary Mount Cook Airline was dissolved and merged into the main Air New Zealand airline. As a result, Air New Zealand acquired Mount Cook's fleet of six ATR 72-500 and twenty-three ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft. It also acquired Mount Cook's order of six additional ATR 72-600 aircraft to replace the remaining -500 aircraft.
Air New Zealand fleet | ATR 72-500 and 72-600
In June 2006, aircraft from Freedom Air were combined with Air New Zealand's fleet of Airbus A320-200 under the air operator's certificate (AOC) of Zeal320 Limited, which was then the sole operator of the Air New Zealand Group's Airbus fleet. When the airline ceased Zeal320 had one aircraft (ZK-OJO) painted in Freedom Air livery. As such, Freedom Air has no aircraft or current air operator's certificate, and Freedom Air is no longer an operational entity.
Freedom Air | History
In 1981 Air New Zealand ordered its first wide-bodied Boeing type; the Boeing 747-219 was delivered, starting the replacement of the DC-10s. The DC-10s were leased out, the last service being in 1983, and all were sold by the end of 1986. In 1982 the first Air New Zealand flight to London in its own right (via Papeete and Los Angeles) took place. Air New Zealand was now a global airline. By 1988, the airline was operating weekly roundtrip Boeing 747 service between Auckland and London via Dallas/Fort Worth. In 1985 the first Boeing 767-200s were delivered. This type filled the medium range and payload gap vacated by the DC-8 and DC-10s.
History of Air New Zealand | 1980s
On 11 November 2014, Air New Zealand announced that after a twelve-month operational performance review, all flying operations by Eagle Airways and its 19-seat fleet were to be shut down over a 20-month period beginning immediately, citing the unsustainable operating costs per seat of small aircraft and a growing demand for cheaper seats on regional services. The airline was sustaining an average loss of NZ$1 million per month on these routes. The airline planned to use the larger Q300 aircraft from Air Nelson on Eagle's more sustainable routes while dropping services to the smaller towns of Kaitaia, Westport and Whakatane altogether, along with the Hamilton - Auckland feeder route in February 2016.
Eagle Airways | End of operations
The first Boeing 737, ZK-NAC, arrived from Seattle via Hawaii and Fiji into Wellington airport in the new livery of "National Airways" all-white body, blue titles, with a red cheatline and striking red 'Godwit' roundel on the tail. With the arrival of ZK-NAD and ZK-NAE, full services were introduced in 1968 on the "main trunk" (Auckland–Wellington–Christchurch–Dunedin). Later this extended to Invercargill, Palmerston North and Hamilton in 1975 as more aircraft were added, including ZK-NAM which had been the Boeing 737-200 prototype, N1359B. Viscounts were retired as demand for jet services grew and two more 737s joined the fleet as replacements.
New Zealand National Airways Corporation | Boeing 737
New Zealand National Airways Corporation Flight 441 (NZ441) was a scheduled flight of the New Zealand National Airways Corporation from Whenuapai, Auckland to Tauranga. On 3 July 1963 at approximately 9:09 am NZST the flight, a Douglas DC-3 Skyliner, flew into a vertical rock face in the Kaimai Ranges near Mount Ngatamahinerua, at an altitude of 2460 feet (750 m). Twenty-three people were on board. Twenty-two were killed instantly; there is evidence that one person survived the impact but died shortly afterward. Three extra passengers were supposed to be on the flight, but changed their plans at the last minute.
New Zealand National Airways Corporation Flight 441 | Introduction
Air Freight NZ was a cargo airline based in Auckland, New Zealand. It operated scheduled overnight cargo services on behalf of owner Freightways, and is supported by sister company Fieldair holdings. Domestic charter services are also operated. Its main base is Auckland Airport, with hubs at Christchurch International Airport and Palmerston North International Airport.
Air Freight NZ | Introduction