note
Regional passenger airline can trace its history to Mount Cook Air Service formed in 1954 which provided sightseeing tours and skiers drop off top-dressing and rabbit poisoning in New Zealand's Mount Cook National Park. This company grew out of New Zealand Aero Transport Company founded by Rudolf Wigley in 1920 using war surplus bi-plane E 4242. Rudolph Wigley pioneered motor travel into Mount Cook when his Mount Cook Motor Car Service started in 1906 transport passengers from Queenstown to Mount Cook by car. His son Sir Henry Wigley continued his father's passion and became fighter pilot in the Pacific during WWII flying P40 Kittyhawks. He was chairman of the airline until his death in 1980. Wigley's built retractable ski gears that enabled their aircraft to land on numerous glaciers in the park. Initially airline was based at Timaru but as its scope of operations and tourism grew, company moved to Christchurch in 1971.
Airline commenced scheduled service in November 1961 using Douglas DC-3 serving Christchurch, Mt Cook, Queenstown and Manapouri. Te Anau, Invercargill and Dunedin were soon added. In 1968 first turboprop Hawker Siddeley 748 joined the fleet. This aircraft became backbone of the airline until replaced by ATR's in mid 1990s!
Air New Zealand became majority owner in 1985 and in 1991 became sole owner.
Airline has since 1995 operated as Air New Zealand Link, although company still operates its Glacier landing business under Mount Cook Airline name using ski equipped Pilatus Porters and Cessna 185s.
founded - demised (age)
1956 - present (69years)
headquarters
47 Riccarton Rd., Christchurch 8020, Christchurch
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base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (25)
