Air New Zealand Link

Air New Zealand Link

IATA ICAO Callsign NM NZ NZM RLK MOUNTCOOK LINK
Founded	1991[1]
Hubs	Auckland Christchurch Wellington
Frequent-flyer program	Airpoints
Airport lounge	Koru Club
Alliance	Star Alliance (affiliate)
Fleet size	49
Destinations	21
Parent company	Air New Zealand
Headquarters	"The Hub" Western Reclamation, Auckland City
Key people	Christopher Luxon, CEO Carrie Hurihanganui John Hambleton[2]
Website	www.airnewzealand.co.nz

Air New Zealand Link is a brand name under which two regional airlines operate feeder flights for Air New Zealand. They primarily connect regional centres with New Zealand's three main international airports.

History

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.^[1] 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.^[3]

The airlines were purchased as below:

• Mount Cook Airline - Initial stake purchased by NAC in 1973, increased to 30% on 5 December 1983, then to 77% in October 1985, and finally 100% on 18 April 1991.
• Air Nelson - 50% stake purchased by Air New Zealand in October 1988, increased to 100% in 1995.^[4]
• Eagle Airways - 50% stake purchased by Air New Zealand in October 1988, which grew to 100% in 1995.^[3]

Eagle Airways was gradually wound down and ended operations in 2016.

Fleet

As of 26 August 2016, the Air New Zealand Link carriers operate the following aircraft:

Airline	Aircraft	In Service	Orders	Passengers	Notes
Air Nelson	Bombardier Q300	23	-	50	[5]
Mount Cook Airline	ATR 72-500	11	-	68	[6] An additional 15 ATR72-600s were ordered in November 2015, these will be replacing the existing 11 ATR72-500s. Deliveries will start end of 2016.[7]
	ATR 72-600	15	15	68
Total		49	15

Destinations

As of 26 August 2016, Air New Zealand Link flies to the following destinations:

Serviced by Air Nelson: Auckland Blenheim Christchurch Dunedin Gisborne Hamilton Hokitika Invercargill Kapiti Coast Kerikeri Napier Nelson New Plymouth Palmerston North Rotorua Taupo Tauranga Timaru Wellington Whangarei

Serviced by Mount Cook Airline: Auckland Christchurch Dunedin Hamilton Invercargill Napier Nelson New Plymouth Palmerston North Queenstown Rotorua Tauranga Wellington

References

1. "Air Nelson Company Facts". Retrieved 19 October 2010.
2. "Air Nelson Company Structure" (PDF). Retrieved 19 October 2010.
3. "Eagle Airways History". Retrieved 19 October 2010.
4. "Company Facts". Air Nelson. Air Nelson. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
5. "Air Nelson Fleet". Retrieved 16 October 2010.
6. "Air New Zealand Fleet".
7. "Air New Zealand buys 15 new planes for regional routes". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 5 November 2015.