Tasman Cargo Airlines

Tasman Cargo Airlines commenced operations as Premier Airlines on 05Sep1994, headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria and flying a B.727-100 freighter on behalf of DHL. Due to International Civil Aviation Organization "Stage III" aircraft noise restrictions this aircraft was withdrawn from service the following year and a B.727-200 was acquired. On 30Jun1996, Premier Airlines changed its name to Asian Express Airlines to better reflect its role in flying for DHL in the Asian region, and moved its headquarters to Auckland Airport