South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand
Encyclopedia
South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand (SPANZ) was a New Zealand
airline, operating between 1960 and 1966. It is regarded as a forerunner to Ansett New Zealand
.
, the state airline of the time. The Australia
n airline Ansett-ANA
was a major shareholder. SPANZ was established in direct competition with NAC, although the airline's policy to link larger secondary towns. The New Zealand aviation industry at the time was highly regulated in favour of the state carrier, and SPANZ struggled financially. In 1966, the airline was forced to call in the receivers, making its last commercial flight on 28 February.
aircraft, named after New Zealanders Ernest Rutherford
, Jean Batten
, and George Bolt
(it also leased a number of other aircraft). The DC-3s were unique as they were equipped with enlarged elongated cabin windows, giving them the name "Viewmaster". They also had refurbished interiors up to the standard of more modern types then operating. This caused the Government owned National Airways Corporation
to upgrade its large fleet of DC-3s.
SPANZ had wanted to operate the Convair 440 handed down from Ansett-ANA but the civil aviation authority said that the airports to be used were substandard for the type. Just before the end, SPANZ had been given approval to operate Fokker F-27s.
Hubs
Palmerston North, Christchurch.
Destinations
Kaitaia, Auckland, Rotorua, Matamata, Opotiki, Gisborne, Wairoa, Masterton, Wellington, Nelson, Blenhiem, Hokitika, Alexandra, Dunedin, Queenstown, Gore, Invercargill.
In the era of heavy global regulation of air routes, this plan was not to eventuate. It was only realised when the Virgin Group
expanded into Australasia with Virgin Blue in 2001 and NZ subsidiary Pacific Blue Airlines in 2004. This airline then created a seamless service in the Pacific with the creation of V Australia
in 2009.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
airline, operating between 1960 and 1966. It is regarded as a forerunner to Ansett New Zealand
Ansett New Zealand
Ansett New Zealand was a wholly owned airline subsidiary of Ansett Australia, serving the New Zealand domestic market between 1987 and 2000. In order to comply with regulatory requirements relating to the acquisition of Ansett Australia by Air New Zealand, Ansett New Zealand was sold to News...
.
History
SPANZ was founded in 1960 by Bob Anderson and Rex Daniell, who had formerly been pilots for NACNational Airways Corporation
National Airways Corporation was the national domestic airline of New Zealand from 1947 until 1978 when it amalgamated with New Zealand's international airline, Air New Zealand. The airline was headquartered in Wellington...
, the state airline of the time. The Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n airline Ansett-ANA
Ansett Australia
Ansett Australia, Ansett, Ansett Airlines of Australia, or ANSETT-ANA as it was commonly known in earlier years, was a major Australian airline group, based in Melbourne. The airlines flew domestically within Australia and to destinations in Asia during its operation in 1996...
was a major shareholder. SPANZ was established in direct competition with NAC, although the airline's policy to link larger secondary towns. The New Zealand aviation industry at the time was highly regulated in favour of the state carrier, and SPANZ struggled financially. In 1966, the airline was forced to call in the receivers, making its last commercial flight on 28 February.
Aircraft
SPANZ owned three Douglas DC-3Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
aircraft, named after New Zealanders Ernest Rutherford
Ernest Rutherford
Ernest Rutherford, 1st Baron Rutherford of Nelson OM, FRS was a New Zealand-born British chemist and physicist who became known as the father of nuclear physics...
, Jean Batten
Jean Batten
Jean Gardner Batten CBE OSC was a New Zealand aviatrix. Born in Rotorua, she became the best-known New Zealander of the 1930s, internationally, by taking a number of record-breaking solo flights across the world....
, and George Bolt
George Bolt
George Bruce Bolt OBE was a pioneering New Zealand aviator.He formed the Canterbury Aero Club in 1910, helping to make and fly gliders on the Cashmere hills...
(it also leased a number of other aircraft). The DC-3s were unique as they were equipped with enlarged elongated cabin windows, giving them the name "Viewmaster". They also had refurbished interiors up to the standard of more modern types then operating. This caused the Government owned National Airways Corporation
National Airways Corporation
National Airways Corporation was the national domestic airline of New Zealand from 1947 until 1978 when it amalgamated with New Zealand's international airline, Air New Zealand. The airline was headquartered in Wellington...
to upgrade its large fleet of DC-3s.
SPANZ had wanted to operate the Convair 440 handed down from Ansett-ANA but the civil aviation authority said that the airports to be used were substandard for the type. Just before the end, SPANZ had been given approval to operate Fokker F-27s.
Routes
SPANZ operated (or planned to operate) from most large secondary towns with either paved or compacted grass runways.Hubs
Palmerston North, Christchurch.
Destinations
Kaitaia, Auckland, Rotorua, Matamata, Opotiki, Gisborne, Wairoa, Masterton, Wellington, Nelson, Blenhiem, Hokitika, Alexandra, Dunedin, Queenstown, Gore, Invercargill.
Ahead of its time
SPANZ was going to be part of Reginald Ansett's dream of operating a Pan-Pacific airline using the help of US carrier Braniff Airlines in which he had holdings. During the SPANZ era, it as well as Ansett ANA and Braniff all shared the same style of livery in anticipation of this.In the era of heavy global regulation of air routes, this plan was not to eventuate. It was only realised when the Virgin Group
Virgin Group
Virgin Group Limited is a British branded venture capital conglomerate organisation founded by business tycoon Richard Branson. The core business areas are travel, entertainment and lifestyle. Virgin Group's date of incorporation is listed as 1989 by Companies House, who class it as a holding...
expanded into Australasia with Virgin Blue in 2001 and NZ subsidiary Pacific Blue Airlines in 2004. This airline then created a seamless service in the Pacific with the creation of V Australia
V Australia
Virgin Australia International Airlines Pty Ltd, trading as V Australia, is a long haul international airline owned by Virgin Blue Holdings. It operates as an international feeder for Virgin Australia...
in 2009.