The Mitsubishi Mu2 flies into New Zealand aviation history

Departing New Zealand on the 10th of September was the last Mitsubishi Mu2 still in service in New Zealand. ZK-PSR's flight took it from Auckland to Apia on the 10th, to Honolulu 11th, Oakland 14th,  and to Wenatchee, Homer, Anchorage 16th.

Mitsubishi Mu2s have been part of the New Zealand aviation scene off and on since 1980 and have been used in airline, corporate, calibration and air ambulance roles. This is a look at our seven active Kiwi Mu2s...

ZK-WAL - Mitsubishi MU-2B (c/n MU2-037)

24/12/1980     Wairarapa Airlines Ltd, Masterton
04/05/1981     Operated by Lakeair, Taupō
05/10/1982     Alpine Helicopters Ltd, Queenstown
09/07/1986     Departed Auckland on delivery flight to Australia
08/08/1986     Registration cancelled

As the registration suggests, ZK-WAL was initially intended for Wairarapa Airlines' services from Masterton to Auckland and Christchurch. The Mitsubishi proved unsuitable and never entered service with them. Lakeair from Taupō used it to launch Taupō-Auckland services before it being sold to Alpine Helicopters as their corporate aircraft. 

See also :  https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2010/11/wairarapa-airlines-revisited.html and https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2014/03/lakeair-and-mitsubishis-for-sale.html

Mitsubishi Mu2B, ZK-WAL, on a Lakeair service at Auckland on 13 May 1981

ZK-EKZ - Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 (c/n MU2-519)

15/05/1981     South West Helicopters Ltd, Taupo
00/07/1981     Operated by Lakeair, Taupo
19/01/1982     Air Central Ltd, Napier
26/03/1984     Eagle Airways Ltd, Hamilton
30/04/1984     Registration cancelled

Air Central operated three Mitsubishi Mu2, ZK-EKZ, ZK-EON and ZK-ESM on their central North Island commuter routes. The Mitsubishis were relinquished shortly after the airline was bought by Eagle Air. See more : https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2013/11/air-central-north-island-commuter.html

Mitsubishi Mu2G ZK-EKZ at Tauranga on 25 November 1982. ZK-EKZ had two additional small windows towards the tail.

ZK-EON - Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 (c/n MU2-513)

10/08/1981     South West Helicopters Ltd, Taupo
14/09/1981     Air Central Ltd, Napier
26/03/1984     Eagle Airways Ltd, Hamilton
30/04/1984     Registration cancelled

Mitsubishi Mu2Gs ZK-EON at Tauranga on 25 November 1982.

ZK-ESM - Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 (c/n MU2-528)

14/05/1982     RCS International (1981) Ltd, Taupo
00/10/1982     Operated by Air Central, Napier
26/03/1984     Eagle Airways Ltd, Hamilton
30/04/1984     Registration cancelled

• 

  The third Mitsubishi Mu2 ZK-ESM at Nelson in January 1983
  
  

ZK-ECR - Mitsubishi MU-2B-26 (c/n 371SA)

23/06/1995     Air National Ltd, Auckland
12/10/2000     Registration cancelled

ZK-ECR was used by Air National for a calibration contract for the Airways Corporation of New Zealand. This involved calibration work for navaids and lights throughout New Zealand as well as in a number of South Pacific nations. This aircraft was operated between June 1995 and October 2000.

Mitsubishi Mu2 ZK-ECR in her calibration role at Christchurch on a wet and miserable 5th of August 1999.

ZK-KOH - Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 (c/n MU2-521)

11/07/2005 Helicopter Services (BOP) Ltd, Taupo
15/10/2009 Search & Rescue Services Ltd. Taupo
15/05/2024 Registration cancelled - Withdrawn

ZK-KOH was used in New Zealand as a Westpac air ambulance before it stopped flying in 2024.

ZK-KOH at Tauranga on 17 September 2019

The Westpac Air Ambulance Mitsubishi Mu2 ZK-KOH at Auckland on 11 May 2013 

ZK-PSR - Mitsubishi MU-2B-60, (c/n 1569SA)

01/06/2016     Search and Rescue Services Limited, Taupo
25/07/2024     Helicopter Leasing New Zealand Limited, Taupo
19/09/2024      Registration cancelled - Exported

ZK-PSR was employed as a Westpac air ambulance during its service in New Zealand

The Westpac Air Ambulance Mitsubishi Mu2G ZK-PSR at Gisborne on 26 February 2021 on a  medical flight. Nice seeing the rear hatch opened

In addition to these active aircraft the RNZAF acquired four Mitsubishi Mu-2B-20(F)s for use as instructional airframes with the Ground Training Wing at RNZAF Woodbourne. None of these aircraft fly.

ZK-CIC Sold

 

Air Chathams' first Fairchild Metroliner III ZK-CIC has been sold to Australian interests. The aircraft was registered VH-AC6 on the 19th of July 2024 to EastWest Aviation Pty Ltd of Australia with Sharp Aviation Pty Ltd being the registered operator.

ZK-CIC follows ZK-CID which became VH-SEZ on the 24th of July 2024, ZK-POE which became VH-AC5 on the 19th of July 2024 and ZK-POF which became VH-SEF on the 8th of February 2024. ZK-CID and ZK-POF flew to Australia. The last time I visited the Air Chathams ramp both ZK-CIC and ZK-POE were still there so it remains to be seen how they will get to Australia.

Sadly ZK-CIC's sale dashes hopes of it being preserved here. A full history of ZK-CIC can be found here : https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2023/04/zk-cic-retired.html

Thanks to Ray for the heads up on this...

Barrier Air's ZK-SDE at North Shore

Barrier Air's Cessna 208B Grand Caravan ZK-SDE at North Shore on 16 September 2024

 

Gray and Gloomy Day at North Shore

It was a gray and gloomy day at North Shore on Friday 13 September 2024... my main point of interest was seeing Island Aviation's departure for Great Barrier Island with Britten Norman Islander ZK-PIZ operating the afternoon flight

A bonus was catching Aviat Aircraft Husky A-1B ZK-RBC, my first photo of it, arriving back into North Shore

 

Cessna 180 ZK-WAP was on the taxi for departure

Dunedin and Hamilton regain International Flights

Jetstar has announced another major expansion of its New Zealand operations, unlocking more than 190,000 new low fares seats every year and injecting millions of dollars into the country's tourism economy. The new services will take off from Hamilton to the Gold Coast and Sydney, and from Dunedin to the Gold Coast from June 2025 and be operated using Jetstar’s fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft. It will be the first time Jetstar has ever flown to and from Hamilton and the first time the low-cost carrier will operate international flights to and from Dunedin. The new routes will provide Kiwis with more direct access to the Gold Coast and Sydney—two of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations—and make it easier for travellers to connect onto Jetstar’s extensive low-cost network across Australia, Asia and the Pacific. This is Jetstar’s second major expansion in New Zealand in just three months, as the airline embarks on its most significant expansion in the country in more than 10 years. 

ROUTE LAUNCH SALE

To celebrate today’s news, Jetstar has launched a 24-hour Route Launch Sale with sale fares available at Jetstar.com from 12pm NZST, including: 

Hamilton to Sydney from $130^

Hamilton to the Gold Coast from $139^

Dunedin to the Gold Coast from $155^

Jetstar Group CEO, Stephanie Tully, said the airline was excited to be further expanding its network in Aotearoa. “We’re in a period of unparalleled growth for Jetstar in New Zealand, launching five new routes in the past three months and providing greater low-fares connections to key regions across the country. As the country’s only low-cost airline, Jetstar provides critical competition in New Zealand and helps keep travel affordable for Kiwis, with one million domestic fares selling for less than $100 in the past year alone. With consistently low fares and improved reliability, there’s never been a better time to give Jetstar a go. We thank Hamilton and Dunedin Airports for their ongoing support of low fares travel for Kiwis. It’s through strong partnerships like these that we’re able to grow our network in New Zealand.”

Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan said he was thrilled to welcome Jetstar to Hamilton. “The benefits for the entire region – not just passengers – are huge. Analysis indicates the flights will boost our regional economy by about $45 million per year. That’s fantastic for everyone; this is not just about the airport, it’s a great day for the region. “The Jetstar flights will see over 100,000 more passengers per year using Hamilton Airport, some for business and some on holiday, leading to the creation of around 60 new airport-based jobs.” 

Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono says “We’re so happy to announce Dunedin, and the region, will again enjoy international flights, with Jetstar’s direct flights to Australia. This is the result of five years of hard work, with our team behind the scenes negotiating on behalf of our community to bring international flights back to our city, and our region. We know how much our community—and everyone in the lower South Island—wanted this, and we are incredibly proud and excited to announce this new service today. We would also like to extend our thanks to the teams at Gold Coast Airport and Jetstar, for your commitment to bringing this route to Dunedin.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

From 24 June 2025

Flight Frequency         From To         Depart Arrive 

JQ190 Tues, Thurs, Sat DUD OOL 1545* 1725 

JQ189 Tues, Thurs, Sat OOL DUD 0925 1445*

From 18 June 2025

Flight Frequency      From To         Depart Arrive 

JQ164 Wed, Fri, Sun      HLZ OOL 1230* 1420 

JQ163 Wed, Fri, Sun      OOL HLZ 0620 1130*

From 16 June 2025

Flight Frequency                 From To         Depart Arrive 

JQ166 Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat HLZ SYD 1205* 1335 

JQ165 Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat SYD HLZ 0615 1115*

*Non daylight savings time

Source : Jetstar media release

Champagne corks are popping across the Waikato today with confirmation that direct flights between Hamilton Airport and Australia are back. Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas, has announced it will offer three return flights per week between Hamilton and the Gold Coast and four return flights per week between Hamilton and Sydney. The first flights will take off in June 2025, in time for the New Zealand school holidays. The trans-Tasman commercial flights will be the first out of Hamilton in 13 years. The final Virgin Australia flight flew from Hamilton to Brisbane on October 27, 2012, ending 18 years of trans-Tasman flights. Waikato Regional Airport Ltd (WRAL) chief executive Mark Morgan said today’s celebration comes after more than a year of “solid grind” by his team negotiating with the airline and border agencies. “It’s been hard, complex work, in a very sensitive commercial environment and we are thrilled to have pulled this off. The benefits for the entire region – not just passengers – are huge. Analysis indicates the flights will boost the regional economy by about $45 million per year. That’s fantastic for everyone; this is not just about the airport, it’s a great day for the region.” The Jetstar flights will see over 100,000 more passengers per year using Hamilton Airport, some for business and some on holiday, leading to the creation of around 60 new airport-based jobs. Jetstar Group chief executive Stephanie Tully said the airline was excited to be further expanding its network in Aotearoa. “We’re in a period of unparalleled growth for Jetstar in New Zealand, launching five new routes in the past three months and providing greater low-fares connections to key regions across the country. As the country’s only low-cost airline, Jetstar provides critical competition in New Zealand and helps keep travel affordable for Kiwis, with one million domestic fares selling for less than $100 in the past year alone. With consistently low fares and improved reliability, there’s never been a better time to give Jetstar a go. We thank Hamilton and Dunedin Airports for their ongoing support of low fares travel for Kiwis. It’s through strong partnerships like these that we’re able to grow our network in New Zealand.” Hamilton Airport will refit its northern terminal in preparation for customs, border control, aviation security and other services needed for international flights. “We have most of the building services and fundamentals already in place following our seismic strengthening and refurbishment project completed in 2022. There is some work to do, but we did future-proof the building to the extent we could. So the work required is not major and will begin in November this year with no disruption to customers,” Morgan said. The aircraft used on the trans-Tasman routes will be a 188-seater A320 Neo. He confirmed there was no requirement to change the runway to accommodate the services. “The size of our runway has never been a barrier to trans-Tasman flights.” WRAL Board of Directors chair Barry Harris said he was extraordinarily proud of what the WRAL team had achieved. “There has been a lot of moving parts to this on both sides of the Tasman and it’s taken a lot to pull it together. We congratulate Mark’s team for what they have achieved and congratulate Jetstar too for recognising the Waikato represents a huge opportunity,” he said. “Hamilton Airport is in good shape financially and that’s allowed us to identify opportunities and go after them. The resurrection of international fights is great for the airport but more importantly, it’s great for the wider region and for the travelling public.”  Hamilton and Waikato Tourism general manager Nicola Greenwell was jubilant today. “This is fantastic news, brilliant. Australian visitors already account for 19 per cent of our international visitor spend in the region. Now, with direct flights into Hamilton Kirikiriroa we become even more accessible and this is fantastic news for the mighty Waikato, for the central North Island and beyond,” Greenwell said. “This, on top of the recent announcement of two new hotels for Kirikiriroa, means the future of the visitor sector for our region is bright.” Once flights begin Jetstar will become the fourth airline using Hamilton Airport for scheduled flights. Other carriers include Air New Zealand, Sunair and Originair.

Source : Hamilton Airport media release

Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate has today welcomed news that Jetstar will start flying between Australia and Hamilton. “This is a huge win for our city and region. Air travel plays a major role in economic and social connectivity, and this will open up Hamilton to Australia and the world,” said Mayor Southgate. “I’m sure Hamiltonians will be excited to have direct access across the ditch. But this will also give our local economy a tremendous boost, by creating jobs, opening up business opportunities, and bringing tourists here to eat, play and stay in our city and region.” 65,000 additional travellers inbound to Hamilton Airport are anticipated, that will generate 360 new jobs and an additional $45m to our regional economy. Hamilton City Council has a 50 percent ownership stake in Hamilton Airport, which operates as an independently governed CCO.

Source : Hamilton City Council media release

Brisbane on Monday

45 minutes at Brisbane as the sun was going down between flights on 9 September 2024

Solomons Air Airbus 320 H4-SAL

I was really hoping it was going to be ZK-TXC, but no, it was Texel Air's Boeing 737-800F ZK-TXD in Team Global Express colours

Qantas Link's De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 VH-LQG

Jetstar's  Airbus A321 VH-OYQ

Qantas Link's Embraer ERJ-190AR VH-XVS

Virgin Australia's Boeing 737-800 VH-YFZ

Port Moresby on Monday

I had about an hour of plane spotting at Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea before my flight to Brisbane on 9 September 2024

Air Niugini Fokker 100 P2-ANJ

Air Niugini De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200 P2-ANL

Air Niugini Fokker 70 P2-ANU

The Government of Papua New Guinea's Dassault Falcon-900EXE P2-ANW

PNG Air's ATR 72-600 P2-ATZ 

Tropicair's Viking DHC-6-400 Twin Otter P2-AXL

Air Niugini's Boeing 737-860(WL) P2-PXA carrying the Pope to Dili in Timor Leste

Air Niugini's Bombardier DHC-8-402Q Dash 8 P2-PXA

My ride to Brisbane and then on to Auckland, Qantas' Boeing 737-838 ,VH-VZV

Team Flying

As the domestic rugby season continues Air Chathams are busy with sports charters. A big thanks to Terry Hodges who caught Air Chathams' latest Saab 340, ZK-CIT, operating into Nelson on the 7th of September 2024 arriving as 3C 932 from Auckland to Nelson and departing as 3C 933 from Nelson to New Plymouth.

A Good Score at Napier

Thanks to Jordan Elvy who got a good score catching Glenorchy Air's Cessna 208B Grand Caravan ZK-PPR at Napier on 8 September 2024 prior to its return to Queenstown. 

 

Hokitika on SPANZ's Figure 8 Route

 

One of Hokitika's most unusual air services was South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand's weekly service through Hokitika that only operated for 11 weeks. 

While Hokitika was not one of SPANZ's first destinations it was in the company's sights from its inception. On the 22nd of October 1959 the Press reported that air links between cities and small centres not yet served or likely to be served in the near future by the National Airways Corporation are proposed by a new organisation which two N.A.C. senior flight captains hope to promote. South Pacific Airlines, Ltd., will put its proposals before the Air Services Licensing Authority in Wellington on November 2. It is reported to have an option on a fleet of DC-3 aircraft converted to have landscape windows. The captains’ idea is to run an airport to airport service and interest rental car or tax. services to provide airport to township transport for their passengers. The two N.A.C. pilots promoting the venture are Captains R. A. L. Anderson and R. D. Daniell. The venture is understood to have the blessing of the N.A.C., which is said to be providing relevant information, including estimated operating costs. Required capital is £75.000, and it is said that £20,000 has already been promised. Routes which South Pacific Airlines hopes to serve include the following centres: Auckland, Matamata, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Nelson, Hokitika, Invercargill, Alexandra, Timaru, Christchurch. Blenheim, Wellington, Masterton. Napier, and Oamaru.

The flights through Hokitika were part of the application for non-scheduled passenger and freight routes that could be only operated in one direction...

(a) Auckland, Matamata, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Nelson, Hokitika, Invercargill. 

(b) Invercargill, Alexandra, Timaru, Christchurch, Blenheim, Wellington, Masterton, Napier, Matamata, Auckland. 

(c) Auckland, Matamata, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Nelson, Christchurch, Timaru, Alexandra, Invercargill. 

Non-scheduled route (a) offered passengers a scenic spectacular flying down the West Coast, flying past over the rivers and forests, the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and then along the southern fiords flying up the Milford Sound and across Lake Te Anau and Manapouri to Invercargill. Route (c) was possibly for one of the rare days it was raining on the West Coast and the flight couldn't operate. 

In December 1960 South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand operated some route proving flights. On the 10th of December 1960 SPANZ’s Douglas DC-3 Viewmaster ZK-BYD, under the command of Captains Bob Anderson, Rex Daniell and Bill Pattie, with Tui Barclay and Jan Macken looking after the cabin, operated a Auckland-Hamilton-Masterton-Wellington-Christchurch-Oamaru-Alexandra flight. On board were 32 passengers who were mainly airline executives and North Island travel agents. 

The next day, the 11th of December, the DC-3 returned to Auckland, via Hokitika, Nelson and Matamata. The first sector from Alexandra to Hokitika saw the DC-3 overfly Queenstown and Milford Sound before flying up the West Coast in perfect weather. On board the flight was a Whites Aviation photographer who captured these photos of the flight to Hokitika

Towards Milford Sound. Photo : Whites Aviation, Alexander Turnbull Library

Mount Aspiring. Photo : Whites Aviation, Alexander Turnbull Library

South Westland. Photo : Whites Aviation, Alexander Turnbull Library

Mount Cook. Photo : Whites Aviation, Alexander Turnbull Library

Obviously not the same day, but a nice shot of SPANZ's Douglas DC-3 ZK-BYD passing Mount Cook

On approach to Hokitika, presumably on finals for Runway 13. Photo : Whites Aviation, Alexander Turnbull Library

SPANZ Douglas DC-3 Viewmaster ZK-BYD at Hokitika on 11 December 1960. Photo : Whites Aviation Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library

SPANZ gets a welcome from the Mayor and Mayoress of Hokitika. Photo : Taupo Times, 17 October 1961

A glimpse inside the cabin of ZK-BYD the day before.

Despite the success of the proving flight it was not until the 7th of October 1961 that South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand introduced a weekend ‘Figure 8 Route’ package, flying Auckland - Matamata - Hamilton - Napier - Masterton - Blenheim - Nelson - Hokitika - Invercargill on Saturdays, continuing Invercargill - Alexandra - Oamaru - Timaru - Christchurch - Nelson - Auckland the next day - all for £35. The first flight was flown under the command of Captains Rex Daniell and Bob Anderson.

SPANZ Figure 8 advertising

Richard Waugh and Peter Layne's definitive book on South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand, SPANZ - South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand and their DC-3 Viewmasters records the first flight into Hokitika.  The 'Figure 8 Route'... inaugural flight carried many guests including the Vice President of the large Matson Shipping Lines of America who later commented, "There is nothing like this scenery anywhere else in the world." The Figure 8 route was promoted as "The first New Zealand air tour to fly over the whole of New Zealand from Auckland - for £35 return." A noteworthy stop-over was made at Hokitika, which came onto the published SPANZ timetable for the first time. A West Coast civic welcome was given, which included sampling the local delicacy of whitebait. Bob Anderson thanked the locals for their welcome and assured them that such regular tourist flights would be a boost to the West Coast economy and that Hokitika should go ahead with the building of motels and hotels as the region had a very bright tourism future.

Unfortunately for SPANZ the Air Services Licensing Authority withdrew its approval for the Nelson-Hokitika-Invercargill sectors on the 21st of December 1961. The final service through Hokitika was operated on the 23rd of December 1961. 

On the 27th of December 1961 the Christchurch Press reported that South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand has appealed against the decision of the Air Services Licensing Authority to withdraw the company’s licence to fly between Hokitika and Invercargill. Captain R. Anderson, the operations manager, said that the flight across the foot of the Southern Alps and over the Sounds was one of the airline’s major drawcards for tourists, especially those from overseas. He said the last flight was made last weekend. Captain Anderson said the authority has told the company that the licence had been withdrawn on the grounds that insufficient evidence for maintaining the service had been brought forward at the authority’s hearing in September. The company had been operating the licence for some time, he said, and did not think evidence was required to maintain it.

At the July hearing SPANZ made an amended application to the Air Services Licensing Authority that sought to forego any non-schedule licence and to seek a licence to operate four DC-3 aircraft being used for charter, observation and excursion operations and this was ultimately granted. 

On the 1st of February 1962 The Press advertised a notice of an Air Services Licensing Authority hearing that included SPANZ's appeal against the decision cancelling the existing non-scheduled licences (particularly Nelson-Hokitika and Invercargill) held by appellant company. 

On the 28th of February 1962 the Press reported that SPANZ's appeal against the cancellation of the non-scheduled licences, particularly on the Nelson - Hokitika - Invercargill route, was not allowed. So ended Hokitika's brief SPANZ service.