AIR NEW ZEALAND (ANZ), has acquired full control of regional scheduled-service operator Air Nelson. ANZ previously held a 50% shareholding in the carrier.
The move further tightens ANZ's hold on the local regional market in the wake of its deal to acquire a 25% stake in Australian carrier Ansett (ANZ's main rival in New Zealand) through Ansett New Zealand. The flag carrier also wholly owns Mount Cook Airlines and Eagle Air.
Jim McCrea, ANZ managing director, says that Air Nelson will remain independent of ANZ's own domestic operations. Some analysts have interpreted the tie-up as a protective move against the possible launch by Qantas of a New Zealand operation.
Air Nelson operates services on provincial routes previously operated by ANZ. It flies under the Air New Zealand Link name serving cities such as Hokitika, Rotorua, Nelson and Tauranga.
The bulk of the fleet is made up of Saab 340s and Swearingen Metro IIIs.
Source: Flight International
