Eagle Airways
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| Eagle Airways | ||
|---|---|---|
| IATA NZ |
ICAO EAG |
Callsign Eagle |
| Founded | 1969 | |
| Hubs |
|
|
| Alliance | Star Alliance | |
| Fleet size | 18 (+1 order) | |
| Destinations | ||
| Parent company | Air New Zealand (100%) | |
| Headquarters | Hamilton, New Zealand | |
| Key people | ||
| Website: http://www.eagleair.co.nz/ | ||
'Bold text' Eagle Airways is a regional airline based in Hamilton, New Zealand with eleven 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. Its main base is Hamilton International Airport, with hubs at Auckland International Airport, Christchurch International Airport and Wellington International Airport[1].
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[edit] Code data
[edit] History
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. 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. A fleet upgrade beginning in 2001 has seen the wholesale adoption of the Raytheon Beech 1900D Airliner 19-seat aircraft. 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 1900 for Eagle.
On 18 June 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.
An defective undercarriage found during a routine inspection of another Beech 1900D on 25 September 2007 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.[3]
On 8 February 2008, two pilots of an Eagle Airways (operated by Air National) Blenheim to Christchurch flight were stabbed in a hijacking attempt. The pilots survived the attack which was brought under control. A 33-year old Somalian woman was arrested in the case.[4]
[edit] Destinations
Eagle Airways operates the following domestic services:[citation needed]
- Auckland to Gisborne, Hamilton, Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Rotorua, Tauranga, Taupo, Wanganui, Whangarei, Whakatane and Woodbourne.
- Christchurch to Hokitika, Oamaru, Wanaka and Woodbourne.
- Hamilton to Palmerston North and Nelson
- Palmerston North to Nelson
- Wellington to Gisborne, Palmerston North, Taupo, Timaru, Westport, Whangarei, Whakatane , and Woodbourne.
[edit] Fleet
The Eagle Airways fleet includes the following aircraft (at February 2008):
