Airlines

Discover the 30-Year History of Air Nelson: A Major Player in New Zealand's Aviation Industry





Air Nelson is an aviation company based in New Zealand. It was established in 1988 as a subsidiary of Air New Zealand, and it operates flights throughout New Zealand. Air Nelson is the largest regional airline in New Zealand and has been an integral part of the aviation industry in the country for over 30 years.

Discover the 30-Year History of Air Nelson: A Major Player in New Zealand's Aviation Industry
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The airline was initially established in 1988 as a joint venture between Air New Zealand and the Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council. Its purpose was to provide regional air services to the Nelson and Marlborough regions. The first Air Nelson aircraft was a twin-engine Beechcraft B1900, which was used to operate flights between Nelson and Wellington.

Over the years, Air Nelson has grown to become one of the largest regional airlines in New Zealand. It now operates over 50 routes throughout the country, serving 15 destinations from its hub at Nelson Airport. Air Nelson also operates flights to other parts of the South Pacific, including Australia, Fiji, and Tonga.

Air Nelson’s fleet consists of a mix of ATR 72, Bombardier Dash 8, and Beechcraft B1900 aircraft. The airline has a total of 17 aircraft in its fleet, which is constantly being updated with newer models to ensure the highest standards of safety and comfort for its passengers.





Since its establishment, Air Nelson has achieved many milestones. In 2002, the airline launched its first domestic jet service, operating flights between Auckland and Wellington. In 2007, Air Nelson was the first regional airline in New Zealand to introduce a new generation of turboprop aircraft, the ATR 72. In 2011, the airline celebrated its 25th anniversary and was named one of the top five regional airlines in the world by the Air Transport World magazine.

Air Nelson has been involved in a few incidents over the years. In 1996, one of its planes crashed into a mountain near Nelson, killing all six people onboard. In 2014, the airline was the subject of a federal investigation into potential breaches of the Civil Aviation Act, but the investigation eventually concluded that no breaches had occurred.

Despite these incidents, Air Nelson has continued to be a major player in the aviation industry in New Zealand. It has grown significantly over the past 30 years, and its commitment to providing safe and reliable air services has made it one of the most trusted airlines in the country.