Set up at Gander in 1948 to operate floatplane charter services to local Newfoundland destinations. The mail and freight is also flown to northern Newfoundland and Labrador. Over the next three-and-a-half decades, the company’s de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beavers are joined in service by the associate FBO, Labrador Aviation Services.
In 1983, Roger Pike’s Provincial Investments, Inc. purchased the company and it is renamed Air Labrador, Ltd.
NEWFOUNDLAND-LABRADOR AIR TRANSPORT, LTD.: Canada (1961-1998). Based at Corner Brook, Newfoundland, NLAT is established in 1961 to offer charter passenger and cargo and contract service flights linking the company’s base with destinations in Labrador. Operations commence with a fleet of small aircraft, including de Havil-land Canada DHC-2 Beavers and DHC-3 Otters.
Over the next two decades, nonscheduled operations are undertaken throughout eastern Canada. In 1985, the fleet includes not only DHC equipment, but also a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo, several Cessna 185s, and a Grumman Widgeon. In 1987, the amphibian is replaced by a Beech 99.
Revenues in 1990 total $1.5 million. During 1991, the Beech is replaced by a DHC-2, a DHC-2 Turbo Beaver, and a Cessna 402C. Income increases to $1.6 million in 1992. In 1993, President Pierre Meagher oversees a workforce of 25. Company revenues jump to $1.8 million.
Flights continue, and in 1997 the fleet includes 2 Beavers, 2 Turbo Beavers, and 1 Piper PA-31T. The Cessna 402 and a Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander flown the previous year are removed.
The company shuts its doors in 1998.
NEWMAN’S AIR, LTD.: New Zealand (1985-1986). This regional carrier is formed in January 1985 by the Newmans Group, a leading travel agency, and Kenneth MacDonald is named chief executive. With two de Havilland Canada DHC-7s, twice-daily scheduled service from Auckland and Christchurch is begun on February 12 to the tourist centers of Rotorua on the North Island and Mount Cook and Queenstown on the South Island. Service to Wellington and Christchurch begins in February.
In June 1986, in a move protested by Air New Zealand, Ltd., the Australian conglomerate Ansett Transport Industries takes control of the carrier. The Dash 7s are traded in for two DHC-8-200s, which are delivered on December 15 and enter service.
NEWPORT AIR PARK: United States (1964-1981). NAP is established at Newport, Rhode Island, in the late fall of 1964 to provide scheduled air taxi services to Providence and to New York (LGA). Daily roundtrip revenue frequencies are inaugurated with a Rockwell Aero Commander on December 12.
Operations continue apace over the next 16 years and the fleet is increased by the addition of a number of Cessna lightplanes.
NEWQUAY AIR, LTD.: United Kingdom (1993-1995). G. Hitchen and N. Gough establish NAL at the airport at Newquay in March 1993. Nonscheduled passenger flights commence in May to surrounding domestic points with a single Piper PA-31-350. Fights continue in 1994, but in the summer of 1995, the company is transferred to Plymouth City Airport and is renamed Air South West, Ltd.
NEYA A/K: Russia (1994-1996). Neya is established as a long-haul passenger charter airline at Moscow late in 1994. K. B. Galai is appointed general director and he begins revenue flights with a single Ilyushin Il-86. Flights continue until early 1996.
World History
