Airnorth

Australian regional airline

For the Canadian airline, see Air North.

Airnorth

Airnorth Embraer E-170

| IATA | ICAO | Call sign

|
|

TL  | ANO  | TOPEND
Founded| 1978
Hubs| Darwin Airport,
Perth Airport
Frequent-flyer program| None[a]
Fleet size| 14
Destinations| 21
Parent company| Bristow Helicopters Australia
Headquarters| Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Key people| Daniel Bowden (CEO) Simon Gibbons (COO)
Website| airnorth.com.au

Capiteq Pty Limited,[2] trading as Airnorth, is a regional airline[3] based at Darwin International Airport in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.[4] It operates scheduled and charter services in the Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, and East Timor.[5]

Airnorth carries over 350,000 passengers per year.[6]

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

[edit]

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.[7]

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 Beechcraft Super King Air as well as a Douglas DC-3.[8] In 1992, the Skyport Group became a major shareholder and in 1993, was sold to Capiteq Ltd and renamed to Airnorth Regional.[7] During the 1990s, Airnorth had a well established regional network, and by 1997, had introduced both Fairchild Metro 23 and Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia turboprop aircraft to the fleet.[8]

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 Embraer E-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 Bristow Helicopters Australia Ltd., a division of the US-based Bristow Group, had acquired an 85 percent controlling interest in Airnorth.[9] Bristow stated that Airnorth would retain its name and brand identity.[10] Later in 2015 Bristow Helicopters Australia purchased the remaining shares to obtain full ownership.[6]

Under Bristow's ownership, Airnorth responded to a downturn in the mining industry, restructuring the route network by withdrawing services to Karratha, Port Hedland[11] and the Gold Coast.[12] A fifth E-170 joined the fleet in 2016.[13] The increased availability of the jets allowed expansion into South East Queensland and Victoria, commencing operations between Wellcamp Airport near Toowoomba to Melbourne and Cairns from March 2016.[14] Within months the airline added further flights from Wellcamp to Townsville with all three new routes codesharing with Qantas.[15]

In 2022, Airnorth expanded its airline seat capacity by introducing two Embraer ERJ190 aircraft to its fleet, enhancing its ability to meet growing passenger demand. By 2024, the airline has further strengthened its operations and now operates a total of three ERJ190s, providing greater flexibility, efficiency, and comfort across its regional and interstate routes.[citation needed]

Airnorth Embraer E-190 VH-XFM taxiing at Perth Airport

At the beginning of 2024, Airnorth established a new base in Perth, marking a significant step in the airline's expansion strategy. This move enhances connectivity for passengers in Western Australia and strengthens Airnorth's presence in the region.[citation needed]

In recent years, Airnorth has provided ACMI (wet-lease) coverage for major Australian airlines using its Embraer E-Jet fleet. This includes wet lease partnerships with Virgin Australia, Network Aviation, and Alliance Airlines.[citation needed]

## Destinations

[edit]

Airnorth Fairchild Metro 23 at Kununurra Airport

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|

The airline operates over 300 scheduled and contract charter departures weekly, serving 21 domestic and international destinations including:

Airnorth Embraer E-170 at Perth Airport

* 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. [16] [17]

Airnorth previously flew to Melbourne and Toowoomba before terminating the service in early 2022.

### Codeshare agreements

[edit]

Airnorth currently has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

* Qantas[18]

### Interline agreements

[edit]

Airnorth currently has interline agreements with the following airlines:

* Malaysia Airlines[19]

## Fleet

[edit]

As of August 2025[update], the Airnorth fleet consists of an all-Embraer fleet composed of the following aircraft:[20][21][22]

Aircraft  | In Service  | Orders  | Passengers  | Notes

|
|
|
|

J | Y | Total
Embraer EMB-120 | 6  | —  | —  | 30  | 30  |
Embraer 175 | 3  | —  | —  | 76  | 76  |
Embraer 190 | 5  | —  | —  | 100  | 100  | Dry leased from Alliance Airlines.
Total  | 14  | —  |

Airnorth also has a dry lease agreement for 4 Embraer E-190 aircraft from Alliance Airlines to complement its existing E170 fleet.[23]

## Incidents and accidents

[edit]

Airnorth Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia at Darwin International Airport during the dry season

* On 22 March 2010, one of Airnorth's 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.[24][25][26]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Previously, flyers could credit flights to Qantas Frequent Flyer, but this partnership ended effective 1/5/2020[1]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Partner airline - Airnorth". Archived from the original on 26 June 2020.
2. ^ "Australian Business Number results for Capiteq/Airnorth". November 2014. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
3. ^ "CASA website link to Airnorth's Air Operator Certificate". 2 September 2021. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
4. ^ "Contact us". Airnorth. Administration 4 Lancaster Road, Marrara. Archived from the original on 8 February 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2011.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: location (link)
5. ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 27 March 2007. pp. 70–71.
6. ^ a b "Corporate profile | Airnorth". Archived from the original on 17 February 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
7. ^ a b "Airnorth". Airline History. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
8. ^ a b "Airnorth Operates Sophisticated Regional Jets in Some of the World's Most Challenging Environments". Bristow Group. 18 June 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
9. ^ Desloires, Vanessa; Thompson, Sarah (6 February 2015). "Bristow Group buys 85pc Airnorth stake". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
10. ^ "Bristow Helicopters Australia Acquires Controlling Interest In Airnorth" (Press release). Houston, Texas: Bristow Group. 5 February 2015. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
11. ^ "Airnorth axes Pilbara flights to the Kimberley and Darwin". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 April 2016. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
12. ^ Stevenson, A (14 April 2015). "Airnorth to stop Mount Isa-Gold Coast direct flights as mining downturn impacts". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
13. ^ Butt, P (25 September 2016). "Airnorth expects new jet to prove popular with passengers". Northern Territory News. Archived from the original on 29 September 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
14. ^ "Airnorth begins Wellcamp operations". Australian Aviation. 14 March 2016. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
15. ^ "Airnorth expands from Wellcamp with new Townsville flights". Australian Aviation. 9 September 2016. Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
16. ^ "Darwin direct | Townsville Bulletin News". Archived from the original on 17 April 2012.
17. ^ "Destinations". Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
18. ^ "Airnorth | Qantas US". Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
19. ^ "Airnorth to operate Darwin-Gove-Cairns route".
20. ^ "Global Airline Guide 2025 - Airnorth". Airliner World: 50. September 2025.
21. ^ Australian civil aircraft register search Archived 28 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine, using "Capiteq" as the search parameter; search conducted 16 August 2022.
22. ^ "Our Fleet". Airnorth. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
23. ^ McMilan, Scott (28 November 2023). "Alliance Aviation Services Limited (ASX code: AQZ) 2023 Annual General Meeting Managing Director's Address" (PDF) (Press release). Alliance Aviation Services Limited. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
24. ^ "Two pilots killed in Darwin plane crash". Northern Territory News. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2010.[permanent dead link]
25. ^ "Media briefing: Aircraft accident at Darwin Airport". Australian Transport Safety Bureau. 22 March 2010. Archived from the original on 6 June 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
26. ^ "Two killed in plane crash at Darwin". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australian Associated Press. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2010.

## External links

[edit]

Media related to Airnorth at Wikimedia Commons

* Airnorth

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Airlines of Australia

Scheduled|

| Major|

* Qantas
* Jetstar
* QantasLink
* Virgin Australia
* Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

|

Minor|

* Air Link
* Airnorth
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* Link Airways
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* Par Avion
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Charter|

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Cargo|

* ASL Airlines Australia
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Defunct|

* Aboriginal Air Services
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* v
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Members of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia

* Air Link
* Airnorth
* Alliance Airlines
* Aviair
* Link Airways
* Maroomba Airlines
* Par Avion
* Rex Airlines
* Regional Pacific Airlines
* RFDS Central Operations
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* RFDS Queensland Section
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* Rossair
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Qantas

Main airline|

* Accidents
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Wholly owned subsidiaries|

* QantasLink
* Eastern Australia Airlines
* National Jet Systems
* Sunstate Airlines
* Network Aviation
* Express Freighters Australia
* Jetstar

Partly owned airlines|

* Alliance Airlines (20%)
* Fiji Airways (46%)
* Jetstar Japan (33%)

Affiliate airlines|

* Airnorth

Defunct airlines|

* Australian Airlines (formerly TAA)
* Australia Asia Airlines
* Australian Airlines
* Impulse Airlines
* Jetconnect
* Jetstar Asia (49%)
* Jetstar Hong Kong (33%)
* Qantas New Zealand (franchise)
* TEAL (23%)

Other services|

* Australian airExpress
* Qantas Freight
* Qantas Defence Services
* QIK
* Qudos Bank
* TripADeal

Former subsidiaries|

* Jetstar Pacific (30%)
* StarTrack (50%)
* Wentworth Hotel

Miscellaneous|

* Qantas Frequent Flyer
* Qantas House
* Qantas The Australian Way

Accidents and incidents|

* Fatal accidents
* Short Empire shootdown (1942)
* Flight LW (1951)
* Flight 755 (1971)
* Flight 1 (1999)
* Flight 1737 (2003)
* Flight 30 (2008)
* Flight 72 (2008)
* Flight 32 (2010)

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