The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner developed and manufactured by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker . It is the most numerous post-war aircraft manufactured in the Netherlands; the F27 was also one of the most successful European airliners of its era.
112-564: New Zealand National Airways Corporation , popularly known as NAC , established by the New Zealand National Airways Act, 1945, was the national domestic airline of New Zealand 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
224-610: A chartered NAC Fokker F27-500 Friendship . NAC wanted to return to the Pacific area in the late 1970s and began to lobby the NZ Government for a return of its international licence as it planned to equip with the larger Boeing 727-200 . This was one of the catalysts for the forced merger with Air New Zealand in 1978, as the latter airline felt it could lose the Pacific Islands and charter market to NAC. NAC flew to
336-578: A low-cost airline business plan, and the New Zealand government 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. The carrier saw increasing profits through 2004 and 2005. In 2004, the airline announced a 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
448-803: A 26% shareholding in Virgin Australia Holdings to cement the relationship. By October 2016 Air New Zealand sold its remaining stake in Virgin Australia to investors and the Nasham Group. On 4 April 2018, Air New Zealand ended its partnership with Virgin Australia which went into effect from 28 October 2018. In 2011, Air New Zealand introduced the Boeing 777-300ER to its fleet, as well as the Economy Skycouch ,
560-674: A committee, which included three hostesses and specialist apparel industry advice, NAC introduced a new mix-and-match all-seasons hostess uniform in November 1976. Coordinated from six basic pieces, the uniform sought to provide the wearer with individual variety and climate suitability—a basic white polyester cotton shirtdress with a printed red and blue bold houndstooth pattern, navy blue street-length pinafore in double-knit washable wool jersey , red lambswool jumper with white banded neckline and cuffs, navy blue straight-cut slacks , navy blue short jerkin , navy blue tailored blazer , along with
672-601: 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 has codeshare agreements with the following airlines: On 1 May 2024, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission voted in favour of supporting a proposed agreement of reintroducing a codeshare agreement between Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia . As of May 2024, there
784-538: 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-3 Ds to Fiji via Norfolk Island . By the time of the merger with Air New Zealand, the fleet consisted of 25 aircraft, Boeing 737s and Fokker F27s. Engineering workshops were set up at Christchurch , Whenuapai ( Auckland ), Palmerston North , Gisborne and Nelson . The NAC network started with
896-471: 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. They primarily operated to regional airports with sealed runways, and also on the main trunk route alongside the Viscounts, flying the off-peak services replacing
1008-488: A longer fatigue life, improved aerodynamics, and a lighter structure; Fokker became the first such company after de Havilland to employ such means. In 1953, the proposed airliner received the name Friendship . A total of four prototypes were produced, two of these being flyable aircraft that were used for the test flight programme and were paid for by the Netherlands Institute of Aircraft Development ;
1120-454: A lot of glass to allow sunlight and therefore reduce electricity consumption . The building does not have cubicle walls. Sensors throughout the building can turn on lights if they detect human activity, and turn off lights if human activity is not detected for 15 minutes. The buildings cost $ 60 million New Zealand dollars to build and develop. From late September to early October 2006 the airline moved 1,000 employees from four buildings in
1232-654: A mixture of ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft by the end of 2009, the last of these aircraft were subsequently donated to the Hickory Aviation Museum . As of July 2010 a total of 65 F27s were in commercial service with almost 30 different airlines. By July 2013, only 25 Friendships remained in service, operated by 13 different airlines; most of these were F27-500s, with two -400s and a solitary -600 series aircraft in service. Italian cargo airline MiniLiner operated six F27s and Air Panama had four in its fleet. The United States Army Parachute Team has operated
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#17328022408171344-422: A new Zambesi -designed uniform, new logo, new colour scheme and new look check-in counters and lounges. The new uniforms featured a colour palette mirroring the greenstone , teal, schist and slate hues of New Zealand's sea and sky. Uniform fabric was woven from merino wool and incorporated curves inspired by the airline's logo symbol, the koru. A greenstone colour replaces the blue Pacific Wave colour, inspired by
1456-473: 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. Although chiefly
1568-527: A red, blue and white beret for ground use. The classic navy blue coat, double-breasted and extended to mid-calf length, was retained. Relaxed uniform rules permitted hostesses to wear rings, small earrings and a silver, gold or pearl necklace. 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
1680-551: A regional fleet consisting of ATR 72 and Bombardier Q300 turboprop aircraft. Air New Zealand was awarded Airline of the Year in 2010 and 2012 by the Air Transport World Global Airline Awards. In 2014, Air New Zealand was ranked the safest airline in the world by JACDEC . On 1 April 1965, Tasman Empire Airways Limited was rebranded as Air New Zealand. With the increased range of
1792-424: A self-pleated panel down the front, three decorative pearl buttons at the neck and double cuffs with pearl cuff-links. The new 9ct gold NAC staff hat-badge, designed by NAC staff, framed NAC's godwit symbol within a circle. Discarding sleeve braid, ranks were then denoted by the number of small silver stars on the bar of the jacket insignia also designed by airline staff. Stockings were in a colour specially created for
1904-565: A set of three economy class seats that could be converted into a flat 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 final Boeing 747 in September 2014, its last Boeing 737 in September 2015, and its last Boeing 767 in March 2017, leaving it with a simplified fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft for short-haul operations and Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft for long-haul operations. In November 2013,
2016-603: A single airline under the Air New Zealand name. Air New Zealand was privatised in 1989, but returned to majority government ownership in 2001 after nearing 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 and North America. It
2128-444: 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
2240-437: A single-class economy cabin on its narrow-body Airbus A320/A321 jets and its turboprops. Since October 2017, the airline began gradually implementing complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi service on its aircraft. In February 2024, the airline announced the introduction of free Wi-Fi on board service via Starlink satellite Internet across all its routes. This service is expected to be implemented in 2025. The Air New Zealand Lounge
2352-579: A sponsorship campaign with NZ's rugby union team, the All Blacks, in 2011. Another new livery was announced on 12 June 2013. In conjunction with a NZ$ 20 million Memorandum of Understanding with the national tourism agency Tourism New Zealand for joint marketing, TNZ granted permission for Air New Zealand to use the "New Zealand Fern Mark", a standard fern logo used and managed by Tourism NZ and NZ Trade and Enterprise for international promotion, in its livery. Two new liveries were unveiled. The first
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#17328022408172464-404: A still uncompleted Wellington International Airport. 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
2576-548: A successor to Freedom Air that would have also employed the Airbus A320 on domestic routes to counter Jetstar , which had begun operating domestically in New Zealand. In 2015 Zeal320 was removed from the New Zealand Companies Office. The following are technical operations subsidiaries of Air New Zealand: In June 2015, Air New Zealand confirmed the sale of its Safe Air engineering subsidiary to
2688-454: 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. In 1975 the airline introduced a new "NAC Wings of the Nation" livery – a two-toned orange colour scheme with
2800-630: 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
2912-529: Is Auckland Airport , located near Māngere in the southern part of the Auckland urban area. Air New Zealand is headquartered in a building called "The Hub", located 20 km (12 mi) from Auckland Airport, in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter . Air New Zealand currently operates a mixed fleet consisting of the Airbus A320 , Airbus A320neo family , Boeing 777 , and Boeing 787 jet aircraft, as well as
3024-638: Is Air New Zealand's network of airline lounges around the world. Eligible Air New Zealand frequent flyer members, including Koru members and their guests, may access the lounges. Airpoints is Air New Zealand's frequent-flyer programme . Members earn "Airpoints Dollars", which they can redeem at par with New Zealand dollars on any fare for flights ticketed and operated by Air New Zealand. 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
3136-429: Is a Māori koru , a stylised representation of a silver fern frond unfolding. A redesigned logo was unveiled on 21 March 2006. The "Pacific Wave" fuselage stripes were removed from short-haul aircraft in 2009, simplifying the overall livery, and was in the process of also being removed from long haul aircraft before the logo was changed again. On 27 March 2006, Air New Zealand revealed a new brand identity, involving
3248-528: Is a list of known surviving NAC aircraft. In 1965–66, Barbara Penberthy of Auckland was the first New Zealander to design the airline's uniform. Created as a departure from the 'uniform look', it was a high-fashion two-piece suit and blouse with matching coat and hat. The fabric was all-wool barathea, dyed to a colour named 'golden cloud' specially created for NAC; a name by which the uniform came to be known. The suit jacket would be removed before onboard aircraft duties. The blouse consisted of three-quarter sleeves,
3360-824: Is no proposed timeline as to when this will occur; the two airlines currently have an interlining agreement. As of November 2023, Air New Zealand operates 108 aircraft. The jet fleet consists of 56 aircraft: 17 Airbus A320 and 17 Airbus A320/A321neo aircraft for short-haul flights, and eight Boeing 777-300ER and fourteen Boeing 787–9 Dreamliner jet aircraft for long-haul flights. The airline has six Airbus A321neo, two ATR 72s , two Boeing 787-9 and six Boeing 787-10 aircraft on order. The airline's turboprop fleet operates regional domestic services and consists of 52 aircraft: 29 ATR 72–600 aircraft and 23 De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q300 aircraft. Air New Zealand offers three classes on its wide-body Boeing 777 and 787 jets: business, premium economy, and economy. The airline operates
3472-495: Is predominantly white with a black strip running downwards on the rear fuselage from the tail, adorned with a koru logo in white, to disappear downwards just aft of the junction of the wings with the fuselage. The black and white fern mark adorns the fuselage. This livery is used on most of the fleet. A select number have an all black livery with the fern in silver, including the airline's first Boeing 787–9. Extensive consumer surveys by Air New Zealand revealed 78 percent people believed
New Zealand National Airways Corporation - Misplaced Pages Continue
3584-487: Is the only current subsidiary of Air New Zealand Limited. Air New Zealand previously had wholly owned subsidiary regional airlines – Air Nelson , Mount Cook Airline and Eagle Airways – that served regional destinations throughout New Zealand. Together they made up Air New Zealand Link . On 26 August 2016, Eagle Airways ceased operations – Air Nelson and Mount Cook Airline followed in late 2019 and both were merged into its parent's operations. Subsidiary company Zeal320
3696-863: The Airbus A320 to its fleet for use on short-haul international flights, and later domestic flights. In 2005, the airline received its first Boeing 777 (-200ER variant) aircraft and placed orders for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 2004. The airline was later announced as the launch customer for the −9 variant of the 787. On 21 December 2010, the New Zealand government approved an alliance between Air New Zealand and Australian airline Virgin Blue (now named Virgin Australia ), which allowed both airlines to expand their operations between Australia and New Zealand with codeshares for trans-Tasman and connecting domestic flights, and reciprocal access to frequent flyer programmes and airport lounges. Air New Zealand subsequently purchased
3808-996: 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 Cargo
3920-637: 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. In 1978, the domestic airline National Airways Corporation (NAC) and its subsidiary Safe Air were merged into Air New Zealand to form
4032-520: The Star Alliance . From 1999 through 2000, Air New Zealand became embroiled in an ownership battle over Ansett with co-owner News Limited over a possible sale of the under-performing carrier to Singapore Airlines . In 2000, Air New Zealand announced that it had chosen instead to acquire the entirety of Ansett Transport Industries (increasing its 50% stake in the carrier to 100%) for A$ 680 million from News Corporation in an attempt to break into
4144-435: The 'Godwit' roundel on an orange tail fin. Air New Zealand DC-10s or DC-8s were often hired to move burgeoning holiday-maker numbers which brought about the idea of purchasing the larger Boeing 727-200. This would have 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
4256-518: The 1950s, the de Havilland Heron 1. Being the first four Herons produced they had fixed undercarriages instead of the retractable undercarriage on later models. The original use for this aircraft was to keep Cook Strait services to Wellington operating while Rongotai airport was being rebuilt. The Herons operated mainly from Nelson in the South Island as well as to Blenheim, Rotorua, and Hamilton. Their heavy engines caused wing spar fatigue due to
4368-400: The Air New Zealand / Ansett Group neared collapse. A failed attempt at purchasing Virgin Blue was the final straw, and on 12 September, out of both time and cash, Air New Zealand placed Ansett Australia into voluntary administration, following which Ansett was forced to cease operations. Air New Zealand announced a NZ$ 1.425 billion operating loss. Air New Zealand was subsequently bailed out by
4480-451: The Auckland to Norfolk Is route. 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. As early as 1959, when the first Vickers Viscounts were entering service, NAC management discussed when to equip with pure jet aircraft. In 1963 NAC hired a de Havilland Comet 4 from Christchurch to Auckland covering
4592-717: The Australian arm of Airbus . Air New Zealand was the title sponsor of the Air New Zealand Cup domestic rugby union club competition through the 2009 season. The airline remains a major sponsor of New Zealand rugby, including the New Zealand national rugby union team , known as the All Blacks. The airline also sponsors the Air New Zealand Wine Awards and World of Wearable Arts; and partners with New Zealand's Department of Conservation and Antarctica New Zealand. The Air New Zealand symbol
New Zealand National Airways Corporation - Misplaced Pages Continue
4704-472: The Australian aviation market. Business commentators believe this to have been a critical mistake, as Ansett's fleet, staffing levels and infrastructure far outweighed that of Air New Zealand. Subsequently, both carriers' profitability came under question, and foreign offers to purchase the Air New Zealand Group were considered. In September 2001, plagued by costs it could not possibly afford,
4816-561: The DC-3, the F27 possessed superior levels of efficiency, enabling faster flight times, greater passenger comfort and a higher level of reliability. In 1960, the base purchase price for an RDa.6-powered F27 was £239,000. By the end of the production run for the Fokker F27 in 1987, a total of 592 units had been completed by Fokker (additionally, another 207 F-27s and FH-227s had been produced in
4928-427: The DC-3. They operated the first services to Dunedin's new Momona Airport in 1962 until traffic built up enough to use the Viscounts there. Four more secondhand -100s joined the fleet and five of the larger Fokker F27 Friendship Mk500s were purchased, three new and two secondhand, from 1973. NAC colours would return to the international Norfolk Island run, albeit under an Air New Zealand charter, with an Mk500 model flying
5040-592: The F27 was manufactured in the United States by the latter; Fairchild went on to independently develop a stretched version of the airliner, which was designated as the Fairchild FH-227 . During the 1980s, Fokker developed a modernised successor to the F27, the Fokker 50 , which eventually replaced it in production. In the aftermath of the Second World War , twin-engine all-metal monoplanes such as
5152-487: The F27 were developed and made available for commercial operators. Several military transport models were also produced. Fokker also chose to design a dedicated model of the F27 for conducting maritime reconnaissance missions. During 1952, Fokker established a relationship with the US aircraft manufacturer Fairchild , which was interested in the upcoming F27. In 1956, Fokker signed a licensing deal with Fairchild, under which
5264-629: The F27. The Fokker 50 ultimately replaced the F27 in production. In November 1958, the first production aircraft, an F27-100 model, was delivered to Irish airline Aer Lingus ; it performed its first revenue flight in the following month. Other early customers of the Friendship included Braathens SAFE and Luxair in Europe; New Zealand National Airways Corporation ; Trans Australia Airlines and its Australian competitors Ansett and East-West Airlines ; and Turkish Airlines . Initial sales for
5376-598: The Fern Mark fits with the airline's brand and represents New Zealand. The first aircraft to be painted in this livery was rolled out on 24 September 2013. 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 previously operated four fifth freedom routes. The airline operated weekly flights from Rarotonga to Sydney and Los Angeles, in addition to flights connecting via Auckland. In 2012, after securing
5488-461: The Government over with the logic of simple economics: three 737-200s could do the job of four BAC 1-11s. The approval was given in late 1966 for the purchase of three 737-200s. 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
5600-620: The Herons were considered for the Nelson-Christchurch-Invercargill route but the aircraft were sold off to private operators instead. By then, only the DC-3 and Rapide/Dominies made up the NAC Fleet. The last type of piston engine airliner to be operated by NAC was a leased Mt Cook Airline Britten Norman BN2 Islander ZK-MCD, used during 1976–77 to operate a service on the Auckland – Whangārei – Kaitaia route. This
5712-630: The Kaimai Range crash in 1963. The wreckage still remains at the crash site, with the exception of the tail section which was recovered intact in 1988 and taken to the Air Force Museum at Wigram Air Force Base in Christchurch, New Zealand to complete the restoration of Lockheed Hudson NZ2013 for static display. On 22 May 1954, NAC Douglas DC-3 ZK-AQT Piere operating as Flight 152 from Christchurch crash landed on Kohutuhutu Rd in
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#17328022408175824-665: The NAC Pacific Island Network were Norfolk Island , Fiji , Tonga , Samoa and the Cook Islands previously served by No. 40 Squadron RNZAF . The initial network was based on destinations served by the airlines it was formed from. New destinations added between then and airline's merger with Air New Zealand included: In November 1956 the NAC services from Hokitika to South Westland were once again taken over by West Coast Airways. Other destinations removed from
5936-507: 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. The five 747-200s owned by Air New Zealand were all named after ancestral Māori 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
6048-586: The New Zealand Government encouraged the development of nationwide airports and with the promise of Wellington Airport being completed in 1958, NAC ordered four of the new larger 800 series type. The Vickers Viscount 807s were introduced from 1958, three initially being purchased. The first was used as a training aircraft and operated alone for a year on the Christchurch-Auckland route, and to Palmerston North which substituted for
6160-617: The New Zealand Government reduced its share in Air New Zealand from 73% to 53% as part of its controversial asset sales programme. It made $ 365 million from the deal. In October 2019, the airline announced it would discontinue its Los Angeles to London route in October 2020 while launching a new non-stop route from Auckland to New York. In March 2020 Air New Zealand sold its London Heathrow slots for USD $ 27 million (approximately NZD $ 42 million). The 10:50 arrival and 15:20 departure slots were taken over by United Airlines . The London route
6272-480: The New Zealand Government, with Helen Clark 's Labour Government taking an 82% stake in the company. 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
6384-557: The Rapide and Fox Moth could land on remote beaches on the West Coast as well as some lighthouse station airstrips. The de Havilland Dominie operated until 1963. 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
6496-423: The US by Fairchild), more than any other western European civil turboprop airliner at the time. In later service, many aircraft have been modified from their original configurations for passenger service to perform cargo or express-package freighter duties instead. The last major cargo user of the F27 in the United States was FedEx Express , using it as a cargo "feeder" aircraft. These were retired and replaced by
6608-518: The airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 20 domestic and 30 international destinations in 18 countries, primarily within the Pacific Rim . The airline has been a member of the Star Alliance since 1999. Air New Zealand succeeded Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) on 1 April 1965. The airline served only international routes until 1978, when the government merged it and the domestic New Zealand National Airways Corporation (NAC) into
6720-472: The airline was privatised with a sale to a consortium headed by Brierley Investments . (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. In March 1999, Air New Zealand became a member of
6832-470: The airline. The highly unpopular decision to join the airline with Air New Zealand was inevitable; with full deregulation of the commercial aviation industry in New Zealand was still eight years away. The NAC fleet at the time of merger consisted of 26 aircraft: Air New Zealand Air New Zealand Limited ( Māori : Araraurangi Aotearoa ) is the flag carrier of New Zealand . Based in Auckland ,
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#17328022408176944-578: The airlines. In September 1972, NAC acquired 100% ownership of freight company Safe Air Limited , formerly known as Straits Air Freight Express Limited (SAFE) established in 1951, with acquisition of Air Holdings Limited's 94% share holding. The airline operated Bristol Freighter and Armstrong Whitworth Argosy aircraft. It was to continue as a separate company based in Blenheim . NAC suffered its first fatal air crash on 9 August 1948 when DC-3 Freighter ZK-AOE Parera crashed above Port Underwood claiming
7056-479: The beachside settlement of Raumati Beach when approaching Paraparaumu Airport on short finals . Of the 26 people on board, 23 survived. The pilot, Captain Bill Pettet, managed to get the passenger door open before the fire reached it. Three unaccompanied infant children died. NAC was subsequently ordered to have a stewardess on board all DC-3 flights with unaccompanied children under 12 years of age. The crash
7168-449: The colour of the pounamu , the prized gemstone found in New Zealand. The Air New Zealand Koru was woven through all Air New Zealand's signage and products. Later in 2009 staff were involved in testing fabrics and cuts of uniforms. "'It would be fair to say that the lessons from the development and introduction of the current uniform have been taken on board," said the airline's CEO after widespread public and staff criticism. A rebranding
7280-511: The country fell into an economic slump caused by the 1973 oil crisis and the United Kingdom joining the European Economic Community , the resultant drop in passenger numbers caused NAC to sell one of its new 737s after only six months in service. NAC quietly dropped the regional jet proposal and more F27-500s were purchased. Ex-NAC Dragon Rapides, Fox Moths, and DC-3s still fly in private and charter operator hands. Below
7392-460: The design team chose to incorporate various new technologies into the tentative design. Fokker evaluated several potential configurations for the airliner, including the use of Wright Cyclone radial engines , before finally settling upon a high- wing aircraft, which was furnished with a pair of Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines and a pressurised cabin which contained a total of 28 passengers. The Dart engine had already proven successful on
7504-487: The distance in 1 hour and 20 minutes. The decision to equip with jet aircraft was finally made by the NAC board of directors in 1965. After a global tender was let, three twinjet aircraft were shortlisted, the BAC 1-11 , Douglas DC-9 and the Boeing 737 . The main criterion for the candidate aircraft was the ability to safely fly in and out of Wellington Airport's unique right-hand inner harbour circuit. When NAC management chose
7616-564: The earlier model. Boeing changed the hydraulic and flap configuration of the 737 in 1973 and sold to the airline at a bargain price the last 737-200 in the original format, becoming ZK-NAJ. The Boeing 737 had settled into routine service when NAC launched a small regional jet study to replace the Viscount. This included the Russian Yakolev Yak 40, Fokker F28 'Fellowship' and the still-experimental Hawker Siddeley HS146 . When
7728-580: The early 1980s, Fokker decided to develop a modernised successor to the F27 Friendship, designated as the F27 Mark 050 and marketed as the Fokker 50 . Although originating from the F27-500 airframe, the Fokker 50 was virtually a new aircraft, complete with Pratt & Whitney Canada engines and modern systems, which led to its general performance and passenger comfort being noticeably improved over
7840-481: The early models of the Vickers Viscount , while a high-mounted wing had been selected as it produced a higher lift coefficient than a lower counterpart, it also enabled easier ground loading due to a lower floor level and provided unfettered external views to passengers without any weight increase. In the aircraft's construction, Fokker used an innovative metal-to-metal bonding technique, Redux , resulting in
7952-455: The fleet as replacements. NAC was one of Boeing's earliest 737 customers, the first outside the United States and West Germany. Some minor engineering tweaks to the 737 occurred during the first few years as the type developed. This included the changing of its engine's clamshell reverse thrusters over the exhaust pipes to the more familiar 'bucket' style that stayed with the 737-200 type to the end. This also helped with reducing soot emissions of
8064-472: The fleet was transferred back to Air New Zealand. However, staff that worked the A320-200 fleet were still employed by the 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 the subsidiary during 2009 permanently delayed a proposed low-cost carrier airline as
8176-469: The following destinations: Kaitaia , Kaikohe , Whangārei , Auckland , Tauranga , Gisborne , Napier , New Plymouth , Palmerston North , Wellington , Blenheim , Nelson , Christchurch , Westport , Greymouth , Hokitika , Whataroa , Waiho (Franz Josef), Haast , Dunedin and Invercargill previously served by the same aircraft and personnel under the pre-nationalisation names Union Airways and Air Travel (NZ) Ltd . The destinations that formed
8288-461: The following domestic destinations on 1 April 1978: NAC entered an alliance with the following airlines: After World War Two NAC continued to rely on prewar 'tailwheel' types of aircraft. Both the high-speed twin-engine 10 seat Lockheed Model 10 Electra and the 15 seat Lockheed Lodestar were used, along with the slower British built de Havilland Rapide/Dominie and single-engine Fox Moth. All three twin-engine types could operate into all airports while
8400-601: The government to encourage the development of airports so it could operate the Convair 440 or the Elizabethan airliner. NAC continued using DC-3s into the 1970s. Kaikohe was permanently dropped as a destination in 1972. Passenger services to Timaru and Oamaru were operated with DC-3s until their runways were paved. One 'Skyliner' DC-3 renamed Waitaki was kept on for this service, until December 1974. NAC operated one tricycle landing gear type of piston-powered airliner in
8512-461: 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
8624-497: The infants walked out relatively unharmed. The doctor and his visitors had been enjoying a coffee break while looking out to sea when they saw the plane heading straight for them. They were saved by the trees. 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
8736-491: 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. This opened up Viscount services to Hamilton and Invercargill. The Vickers Viscount continued on until
8848-450: The last was withdrawn in 1975 when the '807' type had started to develop wing spar fatigue. The end of the Viscount era also realised NAC's wishes to operate a two aircraft type fleet. Two extra Boeing 737-200s were purchased as replacements (see below). It would be another twenty years before the Viscount's natural successor, the ATR 72-200 , would take over the major provincial services. For
8960-690: The latter airline staying away from the main trunk and larger provincial centre routes. One such route was the Christchurch to Timaru and Oamaru DC-3 service in 1966. NAC also provided Mount Cook with a 'guarantor' back up when the airline purchased its first Hawker Siddeley HS 748 airliner and later a de Havilland Twin Otter . In 1973 NAC took a minor shareholding in the Mount Cook Group , the parent company of Mount Cook Airlines; Air New Zealand would later absorb this share when merger amalgamated
9072-577: The latter was authorised to manufacture the F27 in the USA. On 12 April 1958, the first American-built aircraft conducted its first flight. Production of Fairchild built aircraft would continue until July 1973. Fairchild proceeded to independently develop a stretched version of the airliner, designated as the FH-227 . The majority of sales completed by Fairchild fell within the North American market. In
9184-481: The light aluminium alloy used. Steel spars were substituted but with a weight penalty reducing passenger numbers to below economical levels. De Havilland did offer the Heron 2, a major improvement over the Heron 1 but this was not taken up. Heron ZK-BEQ was used as a royal aircraft when Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited New Zealand for the first time in 1953–54. When the old Rongotai airfield closed in 1957,
9296-415: The lives of Commanders Murdo MacLeod and RJRH "Dicky" Makgill. The DC-3 had taken off from Woodbourne Airport near Blenheim on a routine freight flight bound for Paraparaumu and entered cloud, crashing into Scraggy Ridge. A lack of radio navigation equipment was highlighted in the crash report. Some wreckage remains on the ridge. On 23 October 1948, NAC Lockheed Model 10 Electra ZK-AGK Kaka crashed on
9408-490: The maximum number of passengers which could be carried to 32. These aircraft were also powered by the Dart Mk 528 engine, which was capable of generating greater thrust. Throughout the F27's production life, Fokker proceeded to adapt the design for various purposes and roles. Via modifications such as the adoption of improved engines, rearranged loading doors, elongated fuselages, and other changes, several different models of
9520-450: The neck and tab front, and a green and a red dress trimmed with white, were semi-fitted with a slightly A-line skirt and short sleeves. The navy blue New Zealand wool top coat, a semi-fitting single-breasted style with gold and copper buttons, was worn with a white cravat. The hostess could choose to wear the uniform with shoes in different shades or white skin-fit boots. Following consultation with hostesses and three years of development by
9632-634: The network were Greymouth in 1951 and Kaikohe in August 1970. NAC served the Pacific Islands in various capacities. Services began in 1947 using Douglas DC-3 aircraft and included Norfolk Island, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands. Fiji was also served by NAC using Short Sunderland III's from the RNZAF. All services were withdrawn and taken over by TEAL on 15 October 1952, except for Norfolk Island which continued until September 1955. In June 1975, Air New Zealand commenced Norfolk Island services with
9744-413: The new Boeing aircraft over the already proven BAC 1-11, the pro-British-leaning National Government promptly turned down the request for precious funds and told NAC to redo their sums again. NAC rebuffed the government's order and argued that the Boeing 737 was the best fit for the growing network. So confident was the airline that Boeing secured early delivery slots on the production line for NAC. NAC won
9856-416: The other two prototypes were for static and fatigue testing. On 24 November 1955, the first prototype, registered PH-NIV , performed its maiden flight . The second prototype and initial production machines were 0.9 m (3 ft) longer than the first prototype in order to address a revealed tendency for slightly tail-heavy handling as well as to provide additional space for four more passengers, raising
9968-472: 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. NAC's upgraded aircraft were branded as 'Skyliners'. In 1954, NAC asked
10080-400: The rest of the fuselage remained white. Then CEO Rob Fyfe said of the rebranding: "Black has resonated well with our customers and staff who identify with it as the colour of New Zealand and a natural choice for our national airline. It inspires pride, is part of our Kiwi identity and a symbol of Kiwi success on the world stage." The airline began using black as its corporate colour ahead of
10192-596: 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 for many other flights with its Star Alliance partners. Status Points enable members to reach a higher status faster. As of November 2022 Air New Zealand has had four hull losses and two hijackings. The airline's worst accident, and only accident with passenger fatalities,
10304-422: 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. BEA management offered to leave the demonstration Herald with NAC for
10416-434: The south-western slopes of Mt Ruapehu in the centre of New Zealand's North Island while flying in clouds. The aircraft was flying from Palmerston North to Hamilton, but drifted right off track after passing over Whanganui and collided with the mountain killing all thirteen people on board. The wreckage was located a week later near the summit. The accident highlighted the lack of air navigation radio beacons in New Zealand at
10528-539: The successful Douglas DC-3 airliner dominated commuter aviation. Over 10,000 DC-3s had been manufactured during wartime, which led to the type being highly available and thus encouraging its adoption by hundreds of operators across the world. By the early 1950s, various aircraft manufacturers had begun considering the post-war requirements of the civil aviation market and several commenced work upon projects aiming to produce designs for new aircraft which would be viewed as best meeting these requirements; Dutch firm Fokker
10640-404: 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
10752-415: 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. In the end, it was Air New Zealand that was threatened by the domestic market airline and the government acted. On 1 April 1978, after thirty-one years in operation, NAC merged with Air New Zealand to form the domestic arm of
10864-487: The time. On 18 March 1949, NAC Lockheed Lodestar ZK-AKX Keruru , crashed in the Tararua Ranges near Waikanae while approaching Paraparaumu Airport at the end of a flight from Auckland killing all 15 on board. The pilot was deemed to become disoriented in low cloud. Once again blame was given to a lack of navigational radio beacons in New Zealand. This crash was the worst aviation disaster in New Zealand until
10976-453: The type were slow, which led to Fokker seeking financial support from banks and from the Dutch government in order to maintain production of the airliner while more customers were sought. In 1960, demand for the F27 increased rapidly as multiple airlines placed sizable orders for the type. This is in part due to the spreading reputation of the type, having been found by operators that, in comparison to its piston-engine wartime counterparts like
11088-433: The uniform and named 'cirrus'. The hat, from a New Zealand milliner, was nicknamed the 'Mustard Pot'. One of the airline's most memorable outfits was designed by Babs Radon (Barbara Penberthy) in 1970, in vibrant colours to attract younger flyers. The uniform consisted of four different coloured frocks, complemented with either a red or green jacket and matching hat. Two white frocks contrastingly trimmed with red and green on
11200-485: Was Flight 901 on 28 November 1979, which crashed into Mount Erebus on a sightseeing flight over Antarctica, killing all 257 on board. On 19 October 2005, Air New Zealand proposed outsourcing most of its heavy maintenance on its long-haul aircraft and engines, which would result in about 600 job losses, mostly in Auckland. Air New Zealand said that there were larger maintenance providers that could provide maintenance work more cheaply due to their large scale. The proposal
11312-425: Was cabin pressurisation . Innovative manufacturing techniques were also employed in the aircraft's construction. On 24 November 1955, the F27 made its maiden flight ; on 19 November 1958, the type was introduced to revenue service. Shortly after its introduction, the F27 was recognised as being a commercial success. Under a licensing arrangement reached between Fokker and the U.S. aircraft manufacturer Fairchild ,
11424-532: Was "exploring options" for a possible return to London. Following a rejection for slots at Heathrow , the airline was granted daily slots at London Gatwick Airport for summer 2025. The Air New Zealand head office, "The Hub", is a 15,600-square-metre (168,000 sq ft) office park located at the corner of Beaumont and Fanshawe streets in Wynyard Quarter , Auckland . The office includes two connected six-level buildings. The facility consists of
11536-418: Was amongst the companies pursuing development of such an aircraft. By 1951, figures within Fokker were urging that design work be undertaken on a prospective 32-seat airliner intended as a direct replacement for the popular DC-3. Fokker sought the opinions of existing DC-3 operators on what performance increases and refinements they would expect of a new model of commuter aircraft. On the basis of this feedback,
11648-481: Was announced in July 2012. Dropping the teal and green colours that had represented the airline since its beginnings as Tasman Empire Airways (TEAL) in 1939, black was adopted as the brand colour in a joint effort between the airline, New Zealand design agency Designworks and renowned Kiwi typographer Kris Sowersby , who also introduced a new logo typeface. The tails of the aircraft and the typeface changed to black, while
11760-403: Was caused by fuel starvation, the wrong fuel line cutover switch had been activated. The engines failed to restart, the aircraft hit macrocarpa trees and plunged onto the road below Dr. Stevenson-Wright's house. Miraculously the fuselage rested right in the middle of the road without further collision but the wreck burst into flames. The doctor and his visitors ran to the passengers' aid and all but
11872-557: Was developed during the early 1950s with the intent of producing a capable successor to the earlier piston engine -powered airliners that had become commonplace on the market, such as the Douglas DC-3 . A key innovation of the F27 was the adoption of the Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engine, which produced substantially less vibration and noise which provided improved conditions for passengers; another major comfort feature
11984-432: Was estimated to save $ 48 million over five years and came after many attempts to attract contracts to service other airlines' longhaul aircraft. Eventually, a union proposal to save some of the remaining jobs was accepted. The proposal included shift and pay changes (most of them pay cuts) which would allow about 300 engineers in Auckland to keep their jobs. 200 were made redundant or resigned. Fokker F27 The F27
12096-464: 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. All of Air New Zealand's A320-200s were registered to Zeal320 until 26 November 2008, when ownership of
12208-645: Was prematurely cancelled in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic , while the launch of the New York route was rescheduled, with the first flight taking place on 17 September 2022. Air New Zealand announced a major refurbishment of its existing cabins in June 2022, with new cabins including a new product named "The Skynest" to be introduced in the new Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft which are set to be delivered in 2024. In November 2024, Air New Zealand indicated it
12320-430: Was the last airline to circumnavigate the world with flights to London Heathrow via Los Angeles and Hong Kong . The Hong Kong stopover was discontinued in March 2013 when Air New Zealand stopped Hong Kong–London flights in favour of a codeshare agreement with Cathay Pacific . Flights to London Heathrow by the airline stopped altogether in 2020 due to heavy competition and a lack of demand. The airline's main hub
12432-526: 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. NAC entered an agreement in 1961 with the tourist route oriented Mount Cook Airlines, offering some of its light routes in both North and South Islands to Mount Cook with
12544-483: Was to allow services to operate while Kaitaia's compacted gravel runway was sealed for use by heavier aircraft. The Islander using an alternative grass strip. It was repainted in the "new" Wings of the Nation red and orange colour scheme. The pioneering turbo-prop powered Vickers Viscount first appeared in New Zealand in 1953 when an early model -700 was flown out for the London to Christchurch Air Race . In 1954, after
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