note

National airline of New Zealand was formed as joint venture of New Zealand Government, Union Airways, QANTAS Airways each with roughly 20% stake and BOAC who held 38%. Operations commenced on April 30th 1940 on Auckland - Sydney route using Short S.30 Empire flying boat. TEAL took over NZNAC routes to Fiji, Western Samoa, Tonga and Cook Islands in 1950 using Short Solent IV flying boat . TEAL's first land airplane was Douglas DC-6 acquired via QANTAS in May 1954. These were used on routes across the Tasman Sea first but were later introduced on flights to Fiji when new airport opened at Nadi. QANTAS increased its stake in the airline to 50%. In 1959 TEAL purchased Lockheed L-188 Electra turboprop's despite the opposition from its New Zealand owners. New Zealand government bought out QANTAS stake in the airline making TEAL 100% New Zealand company in 1961. TEAL became Air New Zealand in 1965 when Douglas DC-8 was introduced into service and world-wide service was envisioned.

founded - demised (age)

April 26 1940 - 1965  (25)

headquarters

,

web

base airports

NZAA International Auckland

related operators

Air New Zealand	successor
BOAC	co-founder
Qantas	co-founder
Union Airways of N.Z. Ltd