Texel Air Ltd (Australasia) the New Zealand registered airline of Texel Air has completed the world’s first EDTO 120 flight on a 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter. Texel operated the first of regular EDTO 120 flights between Melbourne and Perth as flight TFX12 on behalf of Team Global Express (TGE).
The flight follows Texel Air’s recent certification approval from the Civil Aviation Authority Of New Zealand (CAANZ) for EDTO 120 flights. The approval enables Texel Air to fly routes up to 120 minutes from the nearest suitable airport, up from previous limits of 75 minutes without the approval, and was granted after Texel Air demonstrated its ability to meet rigorous training and other requirements.
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EDTO flights in New Zealand follow the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) approval of the 737-800BCF for Extended-range Twin-engine Operations (ETOPS) up to 180 minutes earlier this year.
In the future, Texel Air intends to progress its 737-800BCF EDTO approval out to the maximum of 180 minutes, which will provide the greatest routing flexibility and planning efficiency. Why it matters: This first ETOPS approved 737-800BCF opens new routes that were previously out of range, enabling more efficient flight paths for operators. This is crucially important over the Tasman Sea between New Zealand and Australia as well as routes between Perth and Melbourne.
“ETOPS and EDTO capability is really important to the business, it was one of the reasons we chose the Boeing 737-800BCF,” said John Chisholm, Chairman of Chisholm Enterprises, the parent of Bahrain-based Texel Air and its affiliate, Texel Air ltd (Australasia). “To fly across the continent of Australia, we need ETOPS and EDTO capability. To fly across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand to develop business, we need ETOPS and EDTO capability.”
In Australia, Texel Air operates four 737-800BCF on behalf of Team Global Express. The air cargo capacity is part of Team Global Express’ multi-modal air, rail, road and sea network that enables deliveries to 95% of Australia within 48 hours. Texel Air also operate one 737-800BCF in New Zealand for Parceline Express on behalf of NZ Post and Freightways. This new capability of EDTO120 flights will enable Texel Air to bridge across the Tasman Sea to and from Australia as well as other remote island nations in the south pacific.
Texel Air Chairman and Founder, John Chisholm, says “Texel Air is providing New Zealand and Australia more cargo capacity that’s on time, and will continue to invest to bring new technologies to the Australasia cargo market”.
“We are making significant investments in aircraft and technology to enhance connectivity, speed, and efficiency so exporters and importers can rely on our air cargo operations. The recent addition of EDTO 120 operations further strengthens our reach and reliability giving the ability to fly further from alternate airports on more direct routings.”
“This is important because express mail and perishable cargo must depart on time to make overnight delivery deadlines and provide the best shelf life for perishable items. Weather events can close alternative airports used in flight plans with EDTO 120 this widens our list of alternates and allows us to fly more direct routes giving our customers efficiency and reliability,” says Chisholm.
Invercargill-born entrepreneur, John Chisholm, has more than four decades experience working in the freight logistics and aviation sectors. Maintaining close links with Bahrain, he founded Texel Air Bahrain in 2013 and Texel Air Australasia in 2022.
“We’re giving our customers solutions to improve their freight services. We have a 98% on time performance rating, meaning our customers can rely on us.” We’re focused on enabling faster, more reliable, and fuel-efficient cargo operations across the Tasman and EDTO 120 is specifically important to those routes.” says Chisholm.
