3rd Level New Zealand: Yet Another Freight Airline

01 June 2023

Yet Another Freight Airline

In the NZ Herald a couple of days ago there was an article outlining the latest news of Merlin Labs development of pilotless aircraft. This was first mooted some three years ago, see https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2020/07/westport-freight-flights.html and https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2020/08/more-on-pilotless-plane-service.html. As can be seen from these articles is the connection to New Zealand's newest freight airline, Texel Air.

Now it looks as if Merlin Labs is about to start flying freight (with pilots) as the company continues its research and development. According to the Herald the firm would start flying freight in June with an unmodified aircraft between Northland, Auckland and Palmerston North. “We want to demonstrate to the regulator and the public that we’re a capable and reliable freight company before we start introducing new technology. And for ourselves, it’s to get our pilots familiar with the routes we’re going to fly and the avionics in the aircraft because that doesn’t change. We’ll do that for a good year and then start to add our advanced technology as it’s certified,” he said. The full article can be found here : https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/world-leading-robot-plane-venture-takes-off-in-kerikeri/KCNCTSD5VRGXDCBAY7HQ6D5QHU/

Merlin Labs currently have four aircraft...