A smart place to land: why Fieldair calls Palmerston North home.

At Fieldair, we’re often asked why our operations are based in Palmerston North. The answer is both simple and strategic: this region offers unmatched advantages for aviation, logistics, and engineering—and it’s only becoming more important to New Zealand’s transport infrastructure.

Palmerston North isn’t just a convenient central location—it’s the heart of the Central New Zealand Distribution Hub, a powerful convergence of road, rail, and air freight networks. With KiwiRail’s new regional freight hub under development nearby and Palmerston North Airport’s ongoing investment in commercial precincts, the area is becoming a logistics powerhouse. This proximity supports our mission to provide efficient aircraft engineering, maintenance, and ground support services to customers across the country.

“We’re positioned to respond quickly and efficiently because we’re embedded in one of the most connected freight and logistics zones in the country,” says Nolan King, General Manager at Fieldair. “That’s critical for customers who need reliable engineering support—especially when downtime is costly.”

Palmerston North Airport itself plays a key role in enabling these services. With 24/7 operations, no curfews, and dedicated infrastructure for freight and aviation support, it’s ideally suited to businesses like ours. The airport’s commitment to growing the region’s commercial and logistics footprint—through developments like the Ruapehu Business Park—aligns with our own plans for sustainable growth.

It’s also why Palmerston North was selected as a hub in the Parcelair joint venture, which Fieldair is proud to be part of. This joint venture operates a fleet of Boeing 737 freighter aircraft connecting Auckland, Palmerston North, and Christchurch overnight, enabling time-sensitive freight movement across the country. Fieldair’s engineering teams support the operation, ensuring performance and reliability in a demanding environment.

Beyond the infrastructure, the Manawatū region provides an attractive lifestyle for our team. It’s a place where people can build meaningful careers in aviation without the congestion and cost of larger centres. With billions of dollars being invested in regional growth—from transport to health and defence—the future here is bright.

“It’s a region that punches above its weight,” adds Nolan. “There’s strong collaboration, practical innovation, and a growing pool of skilled workers who want to stay and contribute.”

For Fieldair, Palmerston North isn’t just where we’re located. It’s where we belong.