View source for Company:Airnorth

{{short description|Australian regional airline}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2012}}
{{Infobox airline
|airline = Airnorth
|logo = Airnorth logo.svg
|logo_size = 300
|IATA = TL
|ICAO = ANO
|callsign = TOPEND
|parent = [[Company:Bristow Helicopters|Bristow Helicopters Australia]]
|founded = 1978
|key_people = Daniel Bowden (CEO)
|headquarters = Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
|hubs = Darwin International Airport
|frequent_flyer = None<ref>"https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/earning-points/flights/airnorth.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626104001/https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/earning-points/flights/airnorth.html |date=26 June 2020 }}" Previously, flyers could credit flights to Qantas Frequent Flyer, but this partnership ended effective 1/5/2020.</ref>
|fleet_size = 12
|destinations = 21
|website = {{URL|airnorth.com.au}}
|image=|aoc=|focus_cities=|num_employees=}}

'''Capiteq Pty Limited''',<ref name="ABN"/> trading as '''Airnorth''', is a [[Place:Regional airline|regional airline]]<ref name="AOC"/> based at Darwin International Airport in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.<ref>"[http://www.airnorth.com.au/about-airnorth/contact-us Contact us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208171421/http://www.airnorth.com.au/about-airnorth/contact-us |date=8 February 2011 }}." Airnorth. Retrieved on 10 February 2011. "Administration 4 Lancaster Road, Marrara."</ref> It operates scheduled and charter services in the Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, and East Timor.<ref name="FI"/>

Airnorth carries over 300,000 passengers per year.<ref name="airnorth.com.au">{{cite web |url=http://www.airnorth.com.au/about-airnorth |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425202217/http://www.airnorth.com.au/about-airnorth |archive-date=25 April 2010 |title=Corporate profile {{!}} Airnorth}}</ref>

Aircraft Logistics is a subsidiary company and the Part 145 Engineering division of Airnorth.  Aircrew Logistics is a subsidiary company that employs the pilots and cabin crew for Airnorth.

Airnorth is a member of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA).

==History==
[[File:Airnorth offices and maintenance hangar at Darwin Airport.jpg|thumb|Airnorth headquarters at Darwin Airport.]]
Airnorth was established in 1978 and started operations on 4 July that year as Air North International; it was the result of the merger of '''Airnorth''', '''Rossair''' and '''Tillair'''.<ref name=airnorth>{{cite web | url = https://airlinehistory.co.uk/airline/airnorth-ii/ | title = Airnorth | publisher = Airline History | access-date = 4 July 2021 | archive-date = 9 July 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184324/https://airlinehistory.co.uk/airline/airnorth-ii/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

It operated charter flights only until scheduled services were introduced in 1981. At this time, the airline's fleet included the first turbine powered aircraft in the Northern Territory, a [[Engineering:Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft Super King Air]] as well as a [[Engineering:Douglas DC-3|Douglas DC-3]].<ref name=Bristow /> In 1992 the '''Skyport''' Group became a major shareholder and in 1993 was sold to Capiteq Ltd and renamed to '''Airnorth Regional'''.<ref name=airnorth /> During the 1990s, Airnorth had a well established regional network and by 1997 had introduced both [[Engineering:Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner|Fairchild Metro 23]] and [[Engineering:Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia|Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia]] turboprop aircraft to the fleet.<ref name=Bristow>{{cite web|url=http://bristowgroup.com/bristow-news/latest-news/2015/airnorth-operates-sophisticated-regional-jets-some/|title=Airnorth Operates Sophisticated Regional Jets in Some of the World's Most Challenging Environments|publisher=Bristow Group|date=18 June 2015|access-date=27 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202041955/http://bristowgroup.com/bristow-news/latest-news/2015/airnorth-operates-sophisticated-regional-jets-some/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Beginning in September 1999, Airnorth operated charters from Darwin to Dili, East Timor, on behalf of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor. In 2000, this became a scheduled service, Airnorth's first international route.

In 2007, Airnorth introduced the [[Engineering:Embraer E-Jet family|Embraer ERJ-170]] to its fleet, the first jet aircraft operated by the airline. In 2012, it announced a direct service between Darwin and Townsville, the first Australian airline to offer a non-stop connection between these cities.

On 5 February 2015, it was announced that [[Company:Bristow Helicopters|Bristow Helicopters]] Australia Ltd., a division of the US-based Bristow Group, had acquired an 85 percent controlling interest in Airnorth.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Desloires |first1=Vanessa |last2=Thompson |first2=Sarah |date=6 February 2015 |title=Bristow Group buys 85pc Airnorth stake |url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/aviation/bristow-group-buys-85pc-airnorth-stake-20150206-137n9e.html |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |location=Sydney |access-date=11 February 2015 |archive-date=19 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219193459/http://www.smh.com.au/business/aviation/bristow-group-buys-85pc-airnorth-stake-20150206-137n9e.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Bristow stated that Airnorth would retain its name and brand identity.<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Bristow Helicopters Australia Acquires Controlling Interest In Airnorth |url=http://bristowgroup.com/bristow-news/latest-news/2015/bristow-helicopters-australia-acquires-controlling/ |location=Houston, Texas |publisher=Bristow Group |date=5 February 2015 |access-date=11 February 2015 |archive-date=11 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211033045/http://bristowgroup.com/bristow-news/latest-news/2015/bristow-helicopters-australia-acquires-controlling/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Later in 2015 Bristow Helicopters Australia purchased the remaining shares to obtain full ownership.<ref name="airnorth.com.au"/>

Under Bristow's ownership, Airnorth responded to a downturn in the mining industry, restructuring the route network by withdrawing services to Karratha, Port Hedland<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-19/air-north-axes-pilbara-flights-to-the-kimberley-and-darwin/7339294|title=Airnorth axes Pilbara flights to the Kimberley and Darwin|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=19 April 2016|access-date=23 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202020328/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-19/air-north-axes-pilbara-flights-to-the-kimberley-and-darwin/7339294|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Gold Coast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-14/regional-airline-to-stop-mount-isa-gold-coast/6390920|title=Airnorth to stop Mount Isa-Gold Coast direct flights as mining downturn impacts|author=Stevenson, A|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=14 April 2015|access-date=23 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202020333/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-14/regional-airline-to-stop-mount-isa-gold-coast/6390920|url-status=live}}</ref> A fifth ERJ-170 joined the fleet in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ntnews.com.au/business/airnorth-expects-new-jet-to-prove-popular-with-passengers/news-story/f554720d3d99f9f531303073727bc3ef|title=Airnorth expects new jet to prove popular with passengers|author=Butt, P|newspaper=Northern Territory News|date=25 September 2016|access-date=27 January 2017|archive-date=29 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929184409/http://www.ntnews.com.au/business/airnorth-expects-new-jet-to-prove-popular-with-passengers/news-story/f554720d3d99f9f531303073727bc3ef|url-status=live}}</ref> The increased availability of the jets allowed expansion into South East Queensland and Victoria, commencing operations between Wellcamp Airport near Toowoomba to [[Place:Melbourne|Melbourne]] and Cairns from March 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://australianaviation.com.au/2016/03/airnorth-begins-wellcamp-operations/|title=Airnorth begins Wellcamp operations|publisher=Australian Aviation|date=14 March 2016|access-date=23 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202011937/http://australianaviation.com.au/2016/03/airnorth-begins-wellcamp-operations/|url-status=live}}</ref> Within months the airline added further flights from Wellcamp to Townsville with all three new routes codesharing with Qantas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://australianaviation.com.au/2016/09/airnorth-expands-from-wellcamp-with-new-townsville-flights/|title=Airnorth expands from Wellcamp with new Townsville flights|publisher=Australian Aviation|date=9 September 2016|access-date=23 January 2017|archive-date=10 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910122549/http://australianaviation.com.au/2016/09/airnorth-expands-from-wellcamp-with-new-townsville-flights/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bristow Group announced ongoing concerns regarding its financial position and its ability for future operations over the subsequent 12 months. In April 2019 a major shareholder was pushing for the board to be replaced and underperforming Airnorth and Eastern Airlines to be sold.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2019-04-22/shareholder-blasts-bristows-board-leaders |title=Shareholder Blasts Bristow's Board, Leaders |last=Huber |first=Mark |date=22 April 2019 |website=Aviation International News |access-date=29 April 2019 |archive-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428163223/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2019-04-22/shareholder-blasts-bristows-board-leaders |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Destinations==
[[File:AirnorthFairchildMetro23KununurraAirport.jpg|thumb|Airnorth Fairchild Metro 23 at Kununurra Airport]]
{{unsourced section|date=August 2022}}
The airline operates over 300 scheduled and contract charter departures weekly, serving 21 domestic and international destinations including: 
*'''Northern Territory'''
**Alice Springs
**Bootu Creek*
**Darwin
**Elcho Island
**Gove
**Groote Eylandt
**Katherine
**Maningrida
**McArthur River Mine
**Milingimbi
**Tennant Creek
*'''Queensland'''
**Cairns
**Townsville
*'''Timor Leste'''
**Dili
*'''Western Australia'''
**Broome
**Kununurra
**Perth
**Truscott
In addition to scheduled flights, Airnorth operates charter services for a wide variety of companies including mining & resources, defence and government clients.
<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2011/11/16/283521_news.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417210926/http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2011/11/16/283521_news.html |archive-date=17 April 2012 |title=Darwin direct {{!}} Townsville Bulletin News}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airnorth.com.au/plan-your-trip/destinations|title=Destinations|access-date=31 March 2016|archive-date=24 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324105050/http://www.airnorth.com.au/plan-your-trip/destinations|url-status=live}}</ref>

Airnorth previously flew to Melbourne, Victoria before terminating the service in early 2022.

==Fleet==
[[File:Airnorth Embraer ERJ-170-100LR 170LR PER Lim.jpg|thumb|Airnorth Embraer ERJ-170 at Perth Airport]]
{{As of|2019|10}}, the Airnorth fleet consists of the following aircraft:<ref>[https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft-register Australian civil aircraft register search] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828230042/https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft-register |date=28 August 2017 }}, using "Capiteq" as the search parameter; search conducted 16 August 2022.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.airnorth.com.au/about/our-fleet-and-seat-map/ |title=Our Fleet |publisher=Airnorth |access-date=6 December 2021 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127114252/https://www.airnorth.com.au/about/our-fleet-and-seat-map/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="AW">{{cite journal|date=October 2019|title=Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One)|journal=Airliner World|page=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://simpleflying.com/air-north-2-embraer-e190s/|title=Australia's Airnorth Adds 2 Embraer E190 Planes To Its Fleet|author=Andrew Curran|publisher=Simple Flying|date=2 February 2022|access-date=16 August 2022|archive-date=16 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816031822/https://simpleflying.com/air-north-2-embraer-e190s/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; border-collapse:collapse"
|+ Airnorth Fleet
|- 
!Aircraft
!In Service
!Orders
!Passengers
!Notes
|-
|[[Engineering:Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia|Embraer EMB-120]]
|5
|—
|30
|-
|-
|[[Engineering:Embraer E-Jet family|Embraer ERJ-170]]
|3
|—
|76
|-
|-
|[[Engineering:Embraer E-Jet family|Embraer ERJ-190]]
|3
|—
|94
|-
|-
!Total
!11
!0
!
!
|}

==Incidents and accidents==
[[File:Airnorth Brasilia.jpg|thumb|Airnorth Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia at Darwin International Airport during the dry season.]]
*On 22 March 2010, one of Airnorth's [[Engineering:Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia|Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia]] aircraft (registration VH-ANB) crashed into bushland near the RAAF Base Darwin golf course at approximately 10:10 (ACST), shortly after taking off from Darwin International Airport on a training flight. The two crew members, who were the only people on board, were killed.<ref name="NTN"/><ref name="ATSB"/><ref name="SMH"/>
{{-}}

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="ABN">{{cite web|url=https://abr.business.gov.au/SearchByAbn.aspx?SearchText=24+008+137+559|title=Australian Business Number results for Capiteq/Airnorth|date=November 2014|access-date=8 January 2017|archive-date=9 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109020818/https://abr.business.gov.au/SearchByAbn.aspx?SearchText=24+008+137+559|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="AOC">{{cite web|url=https://www.casa.gov.au/search_aoc/airnorth|title=CASA website link to Airnorth's Air Operator Certificate|date=2 September 2021|access-date=8 January 2017|archive-date=8 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108191024/https://www.casa.gov.au/search_aoc/airnorth|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="FI">{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= Flight International | pages= 70–71 | date= 2007-03-27}}</ref>
<ref name="NTN">{{cite news|title=Two pilots killed in Darwin plane crash |newspaper=Northern Territory News |date=22 March 2010 |url=http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/03/22/133611_ntnews.html |access-date=22 March 2010 }} </ref>
<ref name="ATSB">{{cite web |url=http://www.atsb.gov.au/newsroom/2010/201006.aspx |title=Media briefing: Aircraft accident at Darwin Airport |date=22 March 2010 |publisher=Australian Transport Safety Bureau |access-date=22 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606040348/http://www.atsb.gov.au/newsroom/2010/201006.aspx |archive-date=6 June 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="SMH">{{cite news |title=Two killed in plane crash at Darwin |agency=Australian Associated Press |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=22 March 2010 |url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/two-killed-in-plane-crash-at-darwin-20100322-qq12.html |access-date=22 March 2010}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
*[http://www.airnorth.com.au/ Airnorth]

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{{Sourceattribution|Airnorth}}