Union Airways of New Zealand: A Comprehensive Overview

Union Airways of New Zealand was a pioneering airline that played a significant role in the country's aviation history.

The airline was established in 1935, marking the beginning of a new era in air travel for New Zealand.

Union Airways' main hub was at Wellington Airport, which was also the country's main airport at the time.

The airline's fleet consisted of small biplanes, which were the standard aircraft of the era.

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Union Airways was established in 1927, marking the beginning of commercial air travel in New Zealand.

The airline's first aircraft was a Fokker F.VIIb/3m, which had a seating capacity of 12 passengers and was powered by two 220 horsepower engines.

The airline's initial routes connected Wellington to Hawke's Bay and the Wairarapa region, with flights taking off from the Wellington Aerodrome.

The airline's fleet expanded to include a de Havilland DH.84 Dragon biplane, which was used for short-haul flights within the country.

The airline's services were primarily used by the general public, with fares ranging from 10 shillings to £1.

The airline's operations were affected by the Great Depression, leading to a significant reduction in passenger numbers and revenue.

The airline's services were suspended during World War II, with the airline's aircraft being requisitioned by the military.

In March 1935, Union Company, a subsidiary of P&O, applied to New Zealand's Transport Coordination Board for a licence to operate a national trunk airline service.

The licence application was made together with three other companies: New Zealand Airlines of New Plymouth, Dominion Airways of Auckland, and New Zealand Airways of Dunedin.

They proposed the service would operate between Auckland, Milson, Blenheim, Christchurch, and Dunedin due to inadequate facilities at Rongotai.

In May, Union Steam won a first licence to fly between Palmerston North and Dunedin, calling at Blenheim and Christchurch.

Union Steam formed Union Airways Limited, keeping 600 of the planned 1,000 shares for itself.

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The new Great Pacific Airways covered the rest of the North Island, though not Wellington, and shared the South Island calls.

There were strong protests from the Wellington resident Coordination Board member regarding the licence application.

Licence applications for other routes from other sponsors were firmly opposed by Union Steam.

Union Airways of New Zealand had a small but impressive fleet of aircraft. They operated a range of planes, each with its own unique characteristics.

One of the most notable aircraft in their fleet was the De Havilland DH86 Express Airliner, which could carry up to 14 passengers and cruise at speeds of 145 to 150 miles per hour. This aircraft was a significant upgrade from their earlier planes and marked a new era of air travel in New Zealand.

In addition to the DH86, Union Airways also operated the Miles Falcon single-engined monoplane, which was designed to carry a pilot and two passengers. This plane was a versatile aircraft that could be used for both passenger and air taxi work.

The airline's fleet also included other notable aircraft, such as the De Havilland DH.60 Gipsy Moth and the Lockheed Model 10A Electra. These planes were used for various purposes, including passenger transport and military service.

Here is a list of some of the aircraft operated by Union Airways:

These aircraft played a significant role in the development of air travel in New Zealand and helped to establish Union Airways as a major player in the industry.

Airways New Zealand and NZALPA have signed a strategic partnership framework that will govern their relationship until 2033. This partnership aims to provide a stable industrial environment and focus on delivering Airways' strategy through to 2033.

The partnership incorporates several key principles, including a commitment to meaningful dialogue, information sharing, and collaborative problem-solving. This approach is crucial for effective communication and collaboration between the two organizations.

Airways Board Chair Denise Church QSO emphasizes the importance of their people, stating that they are their greatest asset. This highlights the value of investing in the well-being and development of employees.

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The partnership also includes a joint approach to providing optimal safety outcomes. Airways and NZALPA will work together to ensure a safe working environment and mutually beneficial implementation of the Airways strategy.

The partnership will be governed by a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that defines agreed parameters for collective agreement negotiations. This will ensure a stable industrial environment through to 2033.

Here are the key principles of the partnership:

The Battle and Conflict of Union Airways of New Zealand was a defining period for the airline. Union Airways with its commercially strong backing blocked Great Pacific from landing at Palmerston North.

This restriction left the Gisborne-Hawkes Bay feeder airlines with a limited service, forcing passengers to travel north by rail. The Transport Coordination Board's decision had significant consequences for the airline industry in New Zealand.

The board's focus on the Palmerston North to Dunedin route led to newspapers highlighting the time-saving benefits of traveling by train versus flying. An Auckland businessman's experience showed that traveling by overnight train to Palmerston North saved time compared to a flight from Auckland.

Union Airways' substantial backing gave them an advantage over New Zealand Airways, which lost their licence to the Wellington to Blenheim route to Cook Strait Airways.