Airnorth celebrate their 40th anniversary in aviation.

A significant milestone for Australia’s Airnorth today. The airline celebrated its 40^th anniversary thus becoming the second oldest airline operating in Australia behind the National carrier QANTAS.

The airline started operations in 1978 as a charter airline flying throughout the Northern Territory. From these humble beginnings the airline introduced scheduled services in 1981. At this time, the airline’s fleet included the first turbine powered aircraft in the Northern Territory, a Beechcraft King Air as well as a single example of the ubiquitous and immortal Douglas DC-3. Airnorth had a ticketing alliance with Ansett Airlines until the airlines collapse in 2001. Soon after this Airnorth partnered with QANTAS, which continues today. The airline moved into the jet age, in 2007, with the arrival of the 76-seat Embraer E170LR. Today the airline flies, five of the type along side seven Embraer EMB-120s and three Metro 23s.

Home base – Darwin, N.T

Airnorth is owned by the world’s largest helicopter operator the British owned, Bristow Group. Today the airline employs some 300 staff . The airline services 20 destinations across two countries, with over 220 scheduled weekly departures as well as chartered flights.

Having flown the airline recently, I can say from experience the airline is a very professional outfit and the E-170 is a great aircraft to fly on. So enjoy our photos celebrating this great airline.