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Texel Air is expanding its New Zealand operations with the addition of another Boeing 737-800BCF freighter, the 200th in the skies.
ZK-TXH “Florence” joins ZK-TXA “Karen”, Texel’s second Boeing 737-800BCF in New Zealand, which arrived in August as part of a NZ$95 million (AU$76 million) investment. It previously operated for Virgin Australia as VH-VUO, and had been with the group since the Virgin Blue era.
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“We are proud to be a 100 percent Kiwi-owned airline and to be investing in New Zealand. Our aim is to continue building an operation that creates jobs, supports local businesses, and keeps the profits here,” said Texel Air founder and chairman John Chisholm.
“Having an additional aircraft based in New Zealand gives us greater flexibility to respond to the needs of businesses, whether that’s moving time-sensitive freight, supporting specialist charter requirements or connecting communities and businesses that rely on air freight.
“Every time we base another aircraft in New Zealand, there is a flow-on effect for both local employment and the wider aviation industry.”
The conversion process involves stripping out the passenger cabin, reinforcing the floors, and installing a cargo loading system including a wide cargo door.
According to Lindsey Douglas, vice president for cabin, modifications, maintenance and digital services at Boeing, the conversion process adds 20 years to the life of the aircraft, with the 737-800BCF also up to 20 per cent more fuel efficient than the previous generation of freighter.
“The 200th 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter is an important milestone, and we’re pleased to celebrate it with long-standing partners, Texel Air,” she said.
“By growing its New Zealand-based Australasian fleet to seven 737-800BCFs, Texel Air is demonstrating the freighter’s versatility and reliability in supporting expanding exports and trade across the region.”
The cargo carrier now has three 737 aircraft in New Zealand and seven across the Australasian region, as well as another five based in Bahrain.
ZK-TXH (as VH-VUO) had joined Virgin Blue in 2008 before being reassigned to Pacific Blue later that year as ZK-PBM, then returned to Virgin’s Australian fleet and its former registration in 2015. It was retired from passenger service last year.
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