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[Air Freight NZ]

Air Freight NZ – NZ's Cargo Airline (2009-Present)

Air Freight NZ is a Dunedin-based cargo airline specialising in domestic and Pacific regional air freight, with international operations from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Founded in July 2009, the airline has grown from a small regional haulier into a modern, long-haul capable cargo operator.

Headquarters & Main Base: Dunedin (DUD)
Training Base: Christchurch (CHC)
Regional Support Hub: Wellington (WLG)
Regional Outstation(s): Gisborne (GIS) – small hangar, Hokitika (HKK) – CV580 facility

 

Founding & Early Operations (2009–2014)

• July 2009: Founded; acquired four Convair CV-580F freighters for regional/short-field routes, partnered with NZ Post, and featured their logo on aircraft tails.

• Oct 2009: First Boeing 737-200 enters service on domestic trunk routes.

• Nov 2009: Nose gear collapsed at Wellington; the aircraft was written off and salvaged.

• Jan 2010: Replacement 737-200F (gravel-kit) enters service.

• 2013: Christchurch training base established and hangar lease acquired.

• Jul 2014: Saab 340B added for lighter regional freight and training.

• Aug 2014: Second 737-200F (gravel-kit) enters service.

Infrastructure Expansions (2015–2019)

• 2015: $41M investment at Dunedin Airport – new hangar and expanded apron; DUD established as HQ and maintenance hub.

• Aug 2017: 737-300 Combi introduced for mixed freight and charter ops.

COVID-19 Impact (2020–2024)

• Most aircraft are grounded except for two CV-580s maintaining nightly AKL–CHC–WLG–DUN cargo loops.

• 30 staff layoffs, mainly engineers, gradual recovery by late 2024.

Training & Capability Growth

• 2018: Ordered Boeing 737-400 full-flight simulator for CHC.

• Nov 2018: Ordered two Beechcraft King Air C90s.

• Dec 2020: Simulator delivered after COVID delays, professionalising training for 737-400SF crews.

Fleet Modernisation & Expansion

• Dec 2019: Purchased two 737-400SFs (with winglets) — world first for this model. Beechcraft King Air C90s delivered. COVID delayed both.

• May 2022: Both 737-400SFs entered service; Saab 340B, idle at Dunedin since 2021, was sold to Air Rarotonga.

• June 2023: Two more 737-400SFs acquired, total of four.

• 2024: 737-300 Combi retired — had not flown since 2020 except for a few training flights for pilots transitioning to the 737-400SF; aircraft parted out to support 737-400SF fleet.

• Feb 2025: Two Boeing 757-200SF ex-DHL (long-haul, 3-seat cockpit) entered service after paid overhaul at DHL’s Leipzig Maintenance Facility, forming the Pacific medium-haul backbone with the ability to operate from smaller runways thanks to a high power-to-weight ratio.

2025 Fleet & Operations

Fleet:

• 2 × Boeing 757-200SF (3-seat cockpit, longer-haul, ex-DHL)

• 4 × Boeing 737-400SF (winglets)

• 2 × Boeing 737-200F (gravel-kit, 3-seat cockpit)

• 4 × Convair CV-580F (short-field capable)

• 2 × Beechcraft King Air C90F (training flights or charter, sometimes thin freight routes, especially Stewart Island)

Bases & Facilities:

• Dunedin (HQ & Maintenance) – main operational hub

• Christchurch (Training) – simulator and pilot training

• Wellington (Regional Hub) – logistics & crew offices

• Gisborne & Hokitika – outstations with maintenance facilities and hangars

Network & Aircraft Operations:

• Domestic Trunk: AKL–WLG–CHC–DUD*

  • 737-400SF supplementing some trunk cargo loops

  • 737-200F main trunk workhorse

  • CV580F supplementing 737-200s

  • * = mainly repositioning flights.

• Regional Routes: WLG–GIS, CHC–HKK, CHC-ZQN, etc, etc

  • CV-580F

  • King Air C90s

  • 737-200F supplementing CV580s 

• Pacific & Trans-Tasman: AKL/WLG/CHC → Fiji, Samoa, Tonga

  • 757-200SF primary medium-haul aircraft

  • 737-400SF supplementing some Pacific and main trunk ops