Bahrain's Texel Air eyes network growth with B737-800(BCF)s

New Zealand's Texel Air NZ adds first B737-800(BCF)

Texel Air NZ (Auckland International) has taken delivery of a B737-800(BCF) from parent entity, Texel Air (XLR, Bahrain International). A9C-GWC (msn 29985) ferried into Hamilton from Bahrain last week via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Darwin. When it begins revenue service, the aircraft will primarily fly between Auckland International and Christchurch, flying freight for Parceline Express.

The follows Texel Air NZ using B737-300(F) A9C-APC (27459) to service the Parceline Express contract, with the parent airline dispatching the aircraft to New Zealand to serve as a stop gap plane ahead of A9C-GWC arriving on a permanent basis. A9C-APC is now expected to return to Bahrain. A Texel Air spokesperson has previously told ch-aviation that the B737-800(BCF) is expected to start flying on May 29. A further two of the jets are due to be added by year-end.

A9C-GWC spent most of its working life at Korean Air (KE, Seoul Incheon), which took delivery of the plane from Boeing in 2001, and kept it in...

Texel Air NZ lands cargo contract as first B737-300F arrives

Bahrain's Texel Air to establish New Zealand subsidiary

A new cargo operator appears set to enter the trans-Tasman market, flying a B737-800(BCF) between New Zealand and Australia, with Bahrain-based Texel Air (XLR, Bahrain International) establishing a New Zealand subsidiary airline, Texel Air NZ (Auckland International).

Auckland-based Texel Air NZ's still-under-construction website says they have "invested in a world-class fleet matching it with local expertise to support its client's cargo and logistics goals across Australasia." Texel Air NZ told ch-aviation that they are on track to secure their New Zealand air operator's certificate in May with operations to commence in the same month. The carrier will launch with a single B737-800(BCF). That aircraft is presently registered as VP-BSM (msn 33013) and is ferrying this week to the STAECO facility at Jinan for conversion.

Texel Air operates one B737-300(F), two B737-700(FC)s, and two B737-800(BCF)s out of Bahrain. The interest in the trans-Tasman market is partly explained by the strong New Zealand connections at non-listed Chisolm Enterprises, parent company of Texel Air. Chisolm's founder, John Chisolm, who helped set up...

Ecuador's TAAE to add B737-800 freighter