note

National airline of New Zealand was formed as Tasman Empire Airways Ltd. by governments of New Zealand, Australia and United Kingdom which sold its interest (20%) to the Australian government in 1953. Australian government sold its stake to New Zealand government in 1961. Operations started using Short S.30 Flying Boats between Auckland and Sydney. In December 1951 first trans-pacific route was inaugurated using Solent Flying Boat. Routed between Auckland - Fiji -Cook Islands - Tahiti and known as "Coral Route". In May 1954 airlines first flight with land based aircraft, namely Douglas DC-6, was conducted between Christchurch and Melbourne. In April 1965 current title Air New Zealand was adopted. In October, same year, airlines first jet service was inaugurated using Douglas DC-8 aircraft. First used on Christchurch - Sydney route, the range of DC-8 enabled expansion to North America and Far East. In April 1978 ANZ merged with domestic operator NAC - National Airways Corp. giving ANZ access to the domestic market. In August 1980 Auckland - Nadi - Tokyo route was innaugurated using DC-8 jets. The same year scheduled dedicated Cargo route Auckland - Los Angeles was launched. In May 1981 first wide-body, a Boeing 747 joined the fleet. In 1989 ANZ was privatized with Qantas, Japan Air Lines and American Airlines buying interests. In 1996 ANZ purchased 50% share in Ansett Australia's holding company. In 1999 ANZ became member of Star Alliance. By the year 2000, ANZ became 100% owner of Ansett Australia. However, the ownership proved to be liability and for ANZ and Ansett's economic problems threatened ANZ's solvency. New Zealand government had to rescue ANZ which in September 2001 sold its interest in Ansett. In 2002 ANZ announced its short and medium range fleet renewal. Airbus A320 family aircraft and Bombardier DHC-8-400 and 300 were chosen. In 2004 ANZ ordered Boeing 777s as its long-haul fleet replacement. In 2008 ANZs long-haul network included: London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Osaka, Honolulu and Papeete. ANZ also serves dense regional network and both East and West coast of Australia. Airline is a member of StarAlliance airline alliance since 1999.

founded - demised (age)

April 3 1940 - present  (85years)

headquarters

Victoria Street West, Auckland

web

www.airnewzealand.com

base airports

NZAA International Auckland	hub
NZCH International Christchurch	hub

related operators

TEAL Tasman Empire Airways	predecessor
Ansett Australia	stake 1996-2001
Air Nelson	regional
Mount Cook Airlines	stake
NAC National Airways Corporation	merged 1978
Star Alliance
Eagle Airways	Regional Link
Air New Zealand Link	regional brand