Title : Northland's Own Airline - Northern Commuter Airlines
link : Northland's Own Airline - Northern Commuter Airlines
Northland's Own Airline - Northern Commuter Airlines
In late October 1988 Air New Zealand withdrew its Fokker Friendship service between Whangarei and Auckland in favour of Eagle Air using Embraer Bandeirantes. The introduction of the Bandeirantes provided better frequency and timings which better suited Whangarei business people. Whangarei Air Taxi’s had previously had a monopoly on the business traffic and the new competition seriously eroded their business.
Faced with this situation the Aero Club decided to align their service with Ansett New Zealand and seek new investment. Northern Commuter Airlines Ltd was formed as a requirement of the link with Ansett, which would not operate services in conjunction with an incorporated society. The shareholders were the Northland Districts Aero Club (40%) and private shareholders and Aero Club members (60%). The original directors of the new company were Alan Ward, Dave Culham, Denis Davidson and Barry Keay but later ownership passed to Denis Davidson and Dave Culham with a few minor shareholders.
Northern Commuter Airlines officially began operating in January 1990 mainly using the Aero Club’s GAF N22 Nomad ZK-NDB but some of the Aero Cub’s single-engined aircraft were used according to passenger demand. While the airline operated under the Tranzair banner the Nomad carried Northern Commuter Airlines titles. With the introduction of the Ansett connection flights departed and arrived at the Whangarei terminal rather than the Northern District Aero Club clubrooms.
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| A couple of shots of Northern Commuter Airlines' GAF N22 Nomad, ZK-NDB, above at Auckland in January 1990 and below at Ardmore |
Initially three return weekday flights were offered using the Nomad with one flight offered on both Saturdays and Sundays.
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| The initial timetable, effective January 1990 |
In April 1990 the Nomad was replaced by Piper PA31-350 Chieftain ZK-NCA. Unlike the Nomad this aircraft carried the Ansett Tranzair colour scheme. The Chieftain picked up the Nomad schedule but in June 1990 this was expanded to four weekday flights and two on Saturdays and Sundays. The frequency was further increased to five weekday flights from 29 October 1990 with the installation of runway lights at Whangarei.
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| Northern Commuter Airlines' Piper Chieftain ZK-NCA carried two forms of the Tranzair colours as seen above at Ardmore on 12 May 1990 and below, at Ardmore on 24 January 1992. |
In November 1993 a third Sunday service was offered and the schedule then remained the same until 1996 when Bandeirantes were introduced to Whangarei. The Chieftain continued to operate a couple of the weekday flights and a number of weekend flights. When needed Piper PA31-350 Chieftain ZK-FOP was used as a backup aircraft.
On the 7th of November 1995 Whakatane's Tranzair service, which had been operated by Bell Air, was replaced was taken over by Rex Aviation using Bandeirante aircraft. Instead of offering Whakatane an all Bandeirante service Rex Aviation deployed the Bandeirante to both Whakatane and Whangarei and at the same time the Northern Commuter Airlines’ Chieftain was used to Whakatane as well. On weekdays two Bandeirante flights and three Chieftain flights were operated between Auckland and Whakatane and three Bandeirante flights and two Chieftain flights were operated between Auckland and Whangarei. A reduced schedule operated over the weekend.
On the 7th of November 1995 Whakatane's Tranzair service, which had been operated by Bell Air, was replaced was taken over by Rex Aviation using Bandeirante aircraft. Instead of offering Whakatane an all Bandeirante service Rex Aviation deployed the Bandeirante to both Whakatane and Whangarei and at the same time the Northern Commuter Airlines’ Chieftain was used to Whakatane as well. On weekdays two Bandeirante flights and three Chieftain flights were operated between Auckland and Whakatane and three Bandeirante flights and two Chieftain flights were operated between Auckland and Whangarei. A reduced schedule operated over the weekend.
On the 29th of February 1996 the Tranzair name was changed to Ansett New Zealand Regional and the Piper Chieftain was rebranded accordingly.
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| Northern Commuter Airlines' Piper Chieftain ZK-NCA in Ansett NZ Regional colours at Whangarei on 11 November 1996 |
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| The Ansett NZ Regional timetable from Whangarei effective September 1996 with Bandeirantes and the Chieftain both used on the route. |
On the 3rd of November 1996 Ansett New Zealand Regional pulled out of Whakatane citing economic factors. This enabled Ansett New REgional to operate an all Bandeirante service to Whangarei and so the 3rd of November 1996 also marked the end of Tranzair flights operated by Northern Commuter Airlines.
The Ansett NZ Regional service to Whangarei continued until 1 August 1998 went it was withdrawn.
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