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| Founded | 1969 | |||
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| Hubs | ||||
| Secondary hubs | ||||
| Alliance | Star Alliance | |||
| Fleet size | 18+1 on order | |||
| Destinations | 22 | |||
| Company slogan | Be Everywhere, Do Everything, Together never failing to impress our customer | |||
| Parent company | Air New Zealand (100%) | |||
| Headquarters | Hamilton, New Zealand | |||
| Key people | Carrie Hurihanganui (General Manager) | |||
| Website | http://www.eagleair.co.nz/ | |||
Eagle Airways is a regional airline based in Hamilton, New Zealand with ten crew bases from Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands to Blenheim in the Marlborough region. It is wholly owned by Air New Zealand and operates regional services under the Air New Zealand Link brand. In addition to the seven crew bases the airline has hubs at Auckland Airport, Christchurch International Airport and Wellington International Airport[1].
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History
Eagle Flying Academy
The airline was established and started operations in 1969. It grew out of the Eagle Flying Academy owned and operated by Malcom Campbell. In 1973, it became a commercial airline flying routes around the North Island of New Zealand using the twin engined Beechcraft Baron aircraft, capitalising on provincial routes not serviced by the national airline of the time, NAC.
Turbine power
1976 saw the introduction of 9 seater Piper Chieftain aircraft. During 1979, Eagle moved into turbine operations with the Embraer Bandeirante aircraft and later, the Fairchild Metroliner aircraft.
Air New Zealand's 19-seat operator
A fleet upgrade beginning in 2001 has seen the wholesale adoption of the Raytheon Beech 1900D Airliner 19-seat aircraft of which 16 were ordered. ZK-EAP (MSN: UE-439) was the last Beechcraft 1900 series aircraft to be produced by Raytheon, closing the production line in October 2002.
In 2006, route development and increased air travellers market saw the need for a 17th aircraft, and in 2007 ZK-EAQ came on line as the 17th Beech 1900D for Eagle. Wanaka was added to the network as a result.
On July 22, 2008, Eagle Airways welcomed their 18th Beech 1900 ZK-EAR to their fleet, creating more depth to the airline's fleet. Eagle has pioneered new routes with the additional aircraft,[2] with flights between Masterton-Auckland commencing in February 2009. While a Monday and Friday return service between Christchurch-Westport was launched in July 2009.
Tough Times Halt Expansion
In January 2009 a 19th aircraft had been announced to arrive towards the end of that year. This aircraft was to allow a lesser reliance on charter aircraft used on some of the new pioneer routes. Allowing a 'branded' Air New Zealand type to promote the airline.
New routes, such as Auckland-Paraparaumu, while Christchurch-Te Anau, and Hokitika-Wellington were mooted for the airline's continued South Island expansion plans. There were plans to develop many of Eagle's 'one flight in and out a day' routes. However all proposed new services have been put on hold during the tough economic reccession now gripping the global aviation industry. Some of the lesser performing routes are now under review. While the Oamaru - Christchurch route was suspended in late 2009.[3]
Destinations
Eagle Airways operates the following domestic services [4]:
- Auckland to Gisborne, Hamilton, Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Masterton, Rotorua, Tauranga, Taupo, Wanganui, Whangarei, Whakatane and Blenheim.
- Christchurch to Hokitika, Nelson, Oamaru (suspended late 2009), Wanaka, and Blenheim, Westport and Invercargill (on occasional low demand services.)
- Hamilton to Palmerston North
- Wellington to Gisborne, Palmerston North, Taupo, Timaru, Wanganui, Westport, Whangarei, Whakatane and Blenheim.
Eagle Airways operates non-advertised 'positioning' flights to and from its hubs. These are used mainly to transfer staff and government contracted services as well as to train pilots.
Fleet
The Eagle Airways fleet includes the following aircraft (at July 2008):
| Aircraft | Total | Orders | Passengers (Economy Class) |
Routes | Age of Aircraft | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beechcraft 1900D | 18 | 0 | 19 | Domestic around New Zealand | 1-5 Years |
- BAe Jetstream 32 aircraft from Air National are chartered to supplement the services operated by the Raytheon aircraft.
Incidents and accidents
On June 18, 2007, a Beech 1900D belonging to Eagle Airways was forced to make an emergency langing at Woodbourne Airport in Blenhiem after the landing gear failed to lower. The aircraft was flying from Timaru to Wellington and landed at Woodbourne because there was less traffic. Nobody on board was injured, and the plane only suffered minor damage.
On September 25, 2007, a defective undercarriage found during a routine inspection of another Beech 1900D led to the cancellation of 60 flights the following day as the airline's entire fleet was grounded for ultrasound inspection and replacement of defective components. [5]
On February 8, 2008, two pilots of a flight from Blenheim to Christchurh chartered by Eagle Airways (operated by Air National) were stabbed in a hijacking attempt. The pilots survived the attack which and landed safely at Christchurch International Airport. A 33-year old Somalian woman was arrested in the case. [6]
External links
References
- ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International: p. 75. 2007-04-03.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ Eagle Airways destinations
- ^ Fault grounds NZ airline fleet
- ^ Knife-wielding hijacker demanded to be flown to Australia
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