Air Freight NZ

Air Freight NZ
IATA ICAO Call sign
OG AFN AIR FREIGHT
FoundedJuly 1989[1]
Ceased operationsJuly 2016, replaced by Parcelair.
Operating basesAuckland, Christchurch and Palmerston North
Fleet size5
Destinations3
Parent companyFreightways
HeadquartersAuckland, New Zealand
Websitehttp://www.fieldair.co.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]

Two Air Freight NZ Convair 580s at Auckland in 2009

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[clarification needed] 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]

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.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c King, John (1995). Aviation Accidents and Disasters. New Zealand Tragedies. Wellington: Grantham House. p. 136. ISBN 1-86934-042-6.
  2. ^ "Change for Night Time Flyers". 3rd Level New Zealand. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 27 March 2007. p. 57.
  4. ^ "Convair operations: Another Fieldair success story | Pacific Wings". Archived from the original on 30 May 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Convair Operations: Another Fieldair Success Story". Pacific Wings. 1 June 1991. p. 18.
  6. ^ "ASN Accident Report".
  7. ^ "ASN Accident Report".