Air Freight NZ
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.[2] Domestic charter services are also operated. Its main base is Auckland Airport, with hubs at Christchurch International Airport and Palmerston North International Airport.[3]
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Founded | July 1989 [1] | ||||||
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Ceased operations | July 2016 | ||||||
Operating bases | Auckland, Christchurch and Palmerston North | ||||||
Fleet size | 5 | ||||||
Destinations | 3 | ||||||
Parent company | Freightways | ||||||
Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand | ||||||
Website | http://www.fieldair.co.nz |
History
The airline started operations in July 1989,[1] headed by William (Bill) Olsen. Its primary contract was with the courier division of Freightways Group. It is now wholly owned by Freightways Express. The Convair carries 11 cargons of freight on each trip. Despite its age the Convair is a great performer capable of transporting seven and a half tonnes of freight at 300 kts.[4][5]
Accidents and incidents
- 3 October 2003: Air Freight NZ Convair 580, ZK-KFU, was lost off radar near the Kapiti Coast. Fatalities: 2.[6]
- 31 July 1989: Air Freight NZ Convair 580, ZK-FTB, descended shortly after takeoff from Auckland Airport, colliding with a bank before crashing into Manukau Harbour. Fatalities: 3.[1][7]
Destinations
Air Freight NZ operated freight services to the following destinations in April 2013:[3] Auckland, Christchurch and Palmerston North. Air Freight operated seven northbound flights per night from Christchurch Airport.
Fleet
The former Air Freight NZ fleet consisted of the following aircraft (at June 2014):[3]
- 4 Convair 580
- 1 Convair 5800
Aircraft Fleet 1989-2016
Aircraft | introduced | Retired | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Convair 580 | 1989 | 2016 | Seven aircraft |
Convair 5800 | 2004 | 2015 | One aircraft |
Piper PA-23-250 Aztec | 1999 | 2016 | Three aircraft. |
References
- King, John (1995). Aviation Accidents and Disasters. New Zealand Tragedies. Wellington: Grantham House. p. 136. ISBN 1-86934-042-6.
- "Change for Night Time Flyers". 3rd Level New Zealand. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 27 March 2007. p. 57.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 May 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Convair Operations: Another Fieldair Success Story". Pacific Wings. 1 June 1991. p. 18.
- "ASN Accident Report".
- "ASN Accident Report".