Mount Cook Airline - Backpack

Mount Cook Airline can trace its history to Mount Cook Air Service formed in 1954 which provided sightseeing tours and skiers drop off top-dressing and rabbit poisoning in New Zealand's Mount Cook National Park. This company grew out of New Zealand Aero Transport Company founded by Rudolf Wigley in 1920 using war surplus bi-plane E 4242. Initially the airline was based at Timaru but as its scope of operations and tourism grew, the company moved to Christchurch in 1971.

Scheduled service commenced in November 1961 using Douglas DC-3 serving Christchurch, Mt Cook, Queenstown and Manapouri. Te Anau, Invercargill and Dunedin were soon added. In 1968 the first turboprop Hawker Siddeley 748 joined the fleet. This aircraft became backbone of the airline until replaced by ATR's in mid 1990s. Air New Zealand became majority owner in 1985 and in 1991 became sole owner. When Air New Zealand acquired Mount Cook Airline in 1991, this transformed the carrier from a diverse operation to one solely focused on regional routes.