Baffling Mystery Of UTA 737 Aircrafts

[Aharon]

Shalom and greetings all my pals,

Since all of you have AMAZING expertise on history of Pacific Ocean rim based airlines, I am wondering if you know anything about or have access to photos of 737-200s that UTA leased for local Pacific island routes and 737-300s that UTA bought 2 units for same routes. I have no luck with researching on Internet concerning use of 737-200s and 737-300s by UTA.

Thank you for any assistance any of you might provide.

Regards,

Aharon

[Splitpin]

Aharon, I have a bit of spare time so I'll see if I can find something for you.

[deeknow]

This UTA Aharon?
https://www.planespotters.net/airline/UTA

two 300-series listed there at least, no sign of any 200s tho

[Aharon]

Aharon, I have a bit of spare time so I'll see if I can find something for you.

Thanks It is going to be very difficult as I have no luck searching vast world of Internet but maybe you know more local based websites than I do

Regards,

Aharon

[Aharon]

This UTA Aharon? https://www.planespotters.net/airline/UTAtwo 300-series listed there at least, no sign of any 200s tho

Deeknow,

Yeah I checked that too but I suspect that the pair of 737-300s were never used in UTA livery and they were transferred to Aeromaritime or Air France.

However, that leaves mystery of UTA 737-200s. UTA timetable schedules showed use of 737-200s for inter-Pacific island routes. Unfortunately, I do not see photos of UTA 737-200s. Some people have theory that UTA leased 737-200s from Air New Zealand and UTA flew those 737-200s in Air New Zealand livery but I do not believe Air New Zealand being such small airline would be able to spare two 737-200s to UTA for lease.

Hence this remains baffling mystery that I hope all of you would solve. Wiki info seems to support that UTA did operate 737-200s.

Regards,

Aharon

[Radar88]

However, that leaves mystery of UTA 737-200s. UTA timetable schedules showed use of 737-200s for inter-Pacific island routes. Unfortunately, I do not see photos of UTA 737-200s. Some people have theory that UTA leased 737-200s from Air New Zealand and UTA flew those 737-200s in Air New Zealand livery but I do not believe Air New Zealand being such small airline would be able to spare two 737-200s to UTA for lease.

Hence this remains baffling mystery that I hope all of you would solve. Wiki info seems to support that UTA did operate 737-200s.

Regards,

Aharon

Hi Aharon

Unfortunately you're pushing your luck by asking this type of question.

UTA Union de Transports Aériens Ceased operations in 1992 (after merging with Air France)

Most New Zealander's us Kiwi's in the flight sim community world would likely have no knowledge on another Countries Real World Airline Operational routes such as France and their French Polynesia territory or as to why you would be asking this, as this is not part of New Zealand Aviation.

It's not a baffling mystery that we can resolve for you.

It sounds like you've already done, what we would be doing for you.

Since you've done your research, you already know that UTA is a defunct French Airline company not a New Zealand Airline.

From the Wiki info.

"UTA fleet in 1978"

"UTA also had one Boeing 747-200 on order at this time. The Fokker Friendships and 1 Boeing 737-200 were based out of La Tontouta Airport, New Caledonia and used on local Pacific services. In addition, UTA's then subsidiary company Air Polynésie,[1] based at Faa'a International Airport, Tahiti, had a fleet of three Fairchild F-27A Friendships, one Britten-Norman Islander, one de Havilland Canada Twin Otter series 200, and one de Havilland Twin Otter series 300.

(Source for the above fleet notes: UTA General Timetable 1/4/78 - 31/10/78)"

If accorded to what you have already researched this likely means that UTA leased ONE Boeing 737-200 for their Regional General Timetable routes based out of La Tontouta Airport, New Caledonia French Polynesia.

It's likely that NO photos exist of the only ONE leased UTA Boeing 737-200.

The French Airline UTA only had ONE Leased Boeing 737-200 in 1978. This was likely to have been on a Short Term Lease arrangement from another countries Airline which may or may not have been from the country New Zealand.

Given the Wiki info that was sourced from the from fleet notes: UTA General Timetable 1/4/78 - 31/10/78
This likely indicates a Short Term Lease of approx 7 Months from April 1978.

Meaning that UTA likely only operated ONE Boeing 737-200 for a short period of 7 Months ONLY during 1978 based out from La Tontouta Airport, Nouméa New Caledonia in French Polynesia.

There are no records that would indicated Air New Zealand leased ONE of their Boeing 737-200 for a short term period of 7 Months to UTA in 1978.

It might be possible, that it may, have occurred but there is no concrete evidence to suggest that it happened.

It could be possible that a Short Term lease may have happened with the New Zealand National Airways Corporation NAC. As this was the time period that NAC merged with Air New Zealand and acquired the NAC Boeing 737-200 Fleet of EIGHT aircraft.

If this was a possibility (again, no concrete evidence to suggest that it happened.) then it could be likely. That the ONE Boeing 737-200 was leased to UTA in the Short Term. Which flew in the NAC Godwit tail livery for only 7 Months before it's possible return back to NZ to be re-painted in the Air New Zealand Koru brand livery.

None of this can be confirmed, which is why your going to be hard out of luck from us Kiwi's on getting an answer to your question. As this likely has nothing to do with New Zealand Aviation.

UTA never flew the Boeing 737-200 to New Zealand from Nouméa New Caledonia French Polynesia.

UTA most likely sourced and leased a Boeing 737-200 from another French Territory possibly likely out of Africa.

You would be best to try finding out from the French, as it's a defunct French Airline and has every thing to do with French Aviation in the French Territory of New Caledonia with Regional French Polynesia Inter-Islands Flights.

UTA only operational flew DC-10's Internationally down-under to Auckland, New Zealand on their Asian-South Pacific routes. This was with an agreement made between the Governments of France and New Zealand at the time during the 70's.

[Aharon]

Most New Zealander's us Kiwi's in the flight sim community world would likely have no knowledge on another Countries Real World Airline Operational routes such as France and their French Polynesia territory or as to why you would be asking this, as this is not part of New Zealand Aviation. As this likely has nothing to do with New Zealand Aviation.

Radar88,

The three main reasons I asked here are;

New Zealand is part of Pacific Rim and some New Zealanders here are probably very familiar with history of commercial Pacific Rim airline operations. Air New Zealand did fly to many Pacific islands across Pacific Ocean.

The second reason is that I was asking here if it is true or not that Air New Zealand did lease one 737-200 to UTA for its inter Pacific island routes therefore it had something to do with New Zealand aviation question.

The third reason is that New Zealand aviation is not only interwoven with commercial Pacific Rim airline operations but is also part of Pacific rim aviation and its history.

"UTA fleet in 1978" "UTA also had 1 Boeing 737-200 based out of La Tontouta Airport, New Caledonia and used on local Pacific services.
(Source for the above fleet notes: UTA General Timetable 1/4/78 - 31/10/78)" this likely means that UTA leased ONE Boeing 737-200 for their Regional General Timetable routes based out of La Tontouta Airport, New Caledonia French Polynesia.The French Airline UTA only had ONE Leased Boeing 737-200 in 1978. This likely indicates a Short Term Lease of approx 7 Months from April 1978.Meaning that UTA likely only operated ONE Boeing 737-200 for a short period of 7 Months ONLY during 1978 based out from La Tontouta Airport, Nouméa New Caledonia in French Polynesia.

UTA actually operated 737-200 service in year of 1976 as shown in plenty of year 1976 UTA timetables for Pacific Rim routes. So if you see 1978 service for 737-200 for UTA , that means that UTA must have had 737-200 from 1976 to 1978 which meant 2 year operation.

However, that leaves more more more baffling mystery of UTA 737-200s.

Why no photos of UTA 737-200s when there are plenty of UTA timetables showing 737 service for inter Pacific island operations??

Very baffling mystery

Regards,

Aharon

[Radar88]

Mystery Of UTA 737 Aircrafts SOLVED

Although in the case of a Mystery UTA 737-200 while this is not strictly speaking of a particular relevance to the Historical nature of the New Zealand Aviation scene, that most New Zealander's now-days would know very much about, within the context and boundaries of New Zealand and Foreign Overseas Countries jurisdictions.

With UTA being a Foreign, French Owned and Operated Airline, that operated out of the South Pacific archipelago at the overseas French territory Provinces of New Caledonia. That's located to the East of Australia. While at a time period when there was strong opposition in New Zealand to the French South Pacific Nuclear Testing at Moruroa Atoll in the South Pacific.

Nevertheless a search of the Internet has found the following information.

Union de Transports Aériens (UTA) "Chartered" (which can, at times be confused with the terminology "Leased") a Boeing 737-200 from/off Nauru which is a tiny island country in Micronesia, northeast of Australia. It has it's own National Airline "Air Nauru" that had an underutilized 737-200 equipped with a gravel protection kit and low-pressure tyres for operations from coral airstrips.

It operated under the Union de Transports Aériens (UTA) French banner brand name. With UTA Regional Inter-Territory sector Timetables listing as a 737-200 which would've been seen parked up at Pacific Island Airports Apron tarmac ramps in the "Air Nauru" paint scheme Livery. Their is no Boeing 737-200's in the UTA Livery as UTA did not out-right purchase or Lease to own the Boeing 737-200 in the 70's. UTA operated under a Charter agreement operation for two years, with an option for renewal through "Air Naurua" on the Pacific Islands Regional Inter-Territory sectors.

Here's some of the "Air Nauru" Boeing 737-200 Photo's





Here's also a few of the documented News Articles, found while doing the Internet search. Located through, Trove a part of the National Library of Australia an Australian Government run website as being documented with original magazine news articles from the historical era coming out from the Pacific Islands region, for this to be True and factual evidence from 44 years ago in 1976.



Here is a reproduced Apr. 1, 1976 News Article Title: A FOURTH JET TO SERVE AIR NAURU'S NEW PACIFIC AND ASIAN ROUTES?

Air Nauru is expanding rapidly its services in the central and southern Pacific regions and to parts of Asia. A number of new services, planned up to 12 months ago, were launched recently. These make acquisition of another aircraft almost inevitable. Air Nauru’s present jet fleet consists of a Boeing 737 and two F28s.

Two big moves recently were conclusion of an agreement with UTA to serve Wallis Island, Noumea and Vila, and fly a new route to Hong Kong, via Manila. Rights were granted recently at Manila and also at Ponape and Guam.

The agreement with UTA is, in effect, a charter. It is for two years, with an option for renewal. The flights are programmed to connect with international services to Noumea. There is one Wallis Island return flight from Vila sandwiched between three or four ferry services connecting Noumea and Vila. The New Hebrides can expect a big in flux of tourists with these new' services from Noumea.

Granting of rights at Manila was celebrated with a special flight from Nauru, carrying a number of VIPs. On the next flight through Manila, with earlier stops at Palau and Manus Island, Air Nauru inaugurated its second weekly Nauru-Hong Kong Service.

The stops at Manus Island and Palau on the Hong Kong, via Manila, service are for refuelling. Air Nauru’s other Hong Kong flight is via Guam and Taipei.

In the Pacific Islands, Air Nauru now calls, outside Nauru, at Tarawa, Majuro, Wallis Island, Western Samoa, Fiji, Solomon Islands, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Palau, Manus Island, Guam, Ponape and the Philippines. In Asia it calls at Okinawa, Taipei, Hong Kong and Kagoshima in Japan. There is also the service to Australia, via Noumea. This service terminates at Melbourne. Occasionally, if there is a full aircraft, it will land at Brisbane to refuel, but no passengers are landed there or picked up.


Sourced reference "Pacific Islands Monthly : PIM.Vol. 47, No. 4 ( Apr. 1, 1976) Page 68"


Here is the reproduced May. 1, 1976 News Article Title: Nuclear base for Wallis

The islands of Wallis and Futuna, an almost forgotten outpost of the French Pacific, have come into prominence with suggestions that French nuclear testing in the Pacific could be eventually relocated in Wallis and that the island’s airport could be upgraded to replace Fiji as a stopover for UTA French Airlines across the Pacific.

These possibilities were aired in March in a Noumea newspaper close to the French Administration. The islands have remained isolated from foreign contact. Several years ago they became “out of bounds” to South Pacific Commission staff when unfavourable reports on local health and hygiene followed an SPC survey of Wallis. In late 1974 they again erupted into publicity when the islanders’ protests forced the expulsion of the resident French Administrator, Mr. J. de Agostini.

Recent problems have concerned transport and these appear to have been solved since the C.C.C. Caledonian shipping company has contracted to provide a 45-day service out of Noumea while UTA has introduced an Air Nauru 737 to make weekly flights to Hihifo airport, on Wallis.

Sourced reference "Pacific Islands Monthly : PIM.Vol. 47, No. 5 ( May. 1, 1976) Page 15"


Here is the reproduced Jul. 1, 1976 News Article Title: NEW HEBRIDES IS BATTLING TO FILL ITS HOTEL BEDS by Ian McIntyre

A fall of 8% in the New Hebrides’ tourist arrivals for 1975 reflects in part the hindrances there were during the year to anyone wanting to fly to the Con-dominium.

According to figures recently released by the Bureau of Statistics, there were 15,838 arrivals compared with the record 17,247 of 1974. Visitors from New Caledonia dropped to 5,761, Australia 4243, New Zealand 1880, United States 828, France 547. Fiji 529, and the United Kingdom 240. Japanese tourists increased from 330 (1974) to 631.

The average length of stay dropped too, from 9.9 to 9.2 days, but cruise ship passengers increased in number with 42,000 coming ashore from 43 ships.

The decrease can be attributed to two factors. The first was the world wide recession which created uncertainty and currency fluctuation particularly in the Americas. Second, and more pertinent for the New Hebrides, was the lack of aircraft seats available on the Australia to Noumea and Noumea to Vila sectors. In the first half of the year both UTA and Oantas, concentrating on the New Caledonia package market, were reluctant to make seats available for New Hebrides bound traffic. At the same time UTA were having technical problems with their ageing Caravelle that caused the cancellation of many flights and extended delays on others on the Noumea-Vila-Noumea sectors.

This situation was overcome in part by the introduction of the two F27 Fairchilds in August which replaced the troublesome Caravelle. Although the frequency increased, from 12 to 16 flights per week, the seating capacity decreased from 1008 to 640.

Ontop of this was a recurring reservations problem. Intending passengers found they could not get confirmed bookings, especially on the UTA sectors, or when they did get them and travelled, found on their arrival their return arrangements and confirmed seats did not exist. This factor alone caused a number of tour operators to cancel block bookings and forward arrangements and bypass the New Hebrides in favour of other more accessible areas.

This situation unfortunately still exists in spite of repeated local representations and assurances from the parties concerned.

New Hebrides is well able to accommodate and entertain tourists.

On Efate over 700 hotel beds are available in the Intercontinental Island Inn, Le Lagon, Rossi, Solaise and Hideaway Hotel'Motels. In Santo the new Hotel Santo and Ralaise Bougainville have a further 60 while on Tanna comfortable bungalows accommodate 25 more.

Ground operations in all areas are good with modern hire cars and buses available for tours and transfers.

To help remove the air transport blockage Qantas and UTA were to increase the number of pool sector flights, Sydney-Noumea-Sydney to 63 as from May this year. UTA will also increase the number of flights on the Noumea-Vila-Noumea sector. She is currently chartering Air Nauru's Boeing 737 for seven movements a week and further capacity is available. Using this same aircraft a further two sectors a week are flown Vila-Wallis and Wallis-Vila, however the benefits of this UTA service to New Hebrides tourism are small.

As well. Air Nauru has been granted rights in and out of Vila on her own behalf and it is hoped that these will open up access from the North Pacific and Asia for reciprocal traffic.

Air Pacific currently is offering three flights a week each way, Nadi-Vila-Nadi and three connections to Brisbane and return via Honiara or Noumea. Air Pacific does not have traffic rights on the Noumea-Vila sector. Connecting services are also available to Port Moresby via Honiara.

A bright spot on the horizon for New Hebrides is the cruise ships. Between 65 and 70 are scheduled to call at either Vila or Santo during 1976. Santo is receiving cruise ships for the first time and visitors are delighting in the warm welcome afforded in this area.

So the tourist trade wait, poised, with good equipment, comfortable beds and the uniqueness of a British, French and New Hebridean society with its varied culinary arts for the travellers who hopefully can find an aircraft seat confirmed both coming and going!

Sourced reference "Pacific Islands Monthly : PIM.Vol. 47, No. 7 ( Jul. 1, 1976) Page 51"


Here is some more Internet search information found on Air Nauru

Air Nauru by Captain John Laming

On your own – airline flying in the South Pacific before GPS by John Laming

Go Flying Australia Podcast 017 - Flying with Air Nauru - John Laming

[Splitpin]

I can't speak for Aharon, but that was very well researched reply ...I learnt a lot, so, on my behalf at least ...thanks very much Radar.

[Aharon]

Mystery Of UTA 737 Aircrafts SOLVED

Radar88,

Thanks a zillion zillion zillion for your AMAZING answers and for solving the baffling mystery of use of 737-200s for UTA.

I have confession for you. I had suspicions that it would be Air Nauru but I had to rule it out because I thought Air Nauru being very very very tiny airline would not dare to be able to spare a single plane for other airlines hence me asking here for help and I am glad you solved the baffling mystery. My guess was on Hawaiian airline leasing one of 737-200s to UTA. Darn my guess was wrong.

AMAZED me that you found more websites that aided you in solving the mystery!! did not do justice or job for me but I am glad you found more websites that did not find for me. It amazed me.

Glad that you said two year service for UTA 737-200 which confirmed my findings on year 1976 UTA timetable and your findings on year 1978 data information concerning use of UTA 737-200.

Thanks to your great help. Due to your extremely kind and generous help, I now am able to recreate some of those flights seen below using more realistic airline livery for freeware Tunmouse 737-200 version 2 or Kittyhawk model base whenever it is available. I am off downloading many freeware airport sceneries mentioned in those routes.



You mentioned the new fact that UTA always had maintenance problems with Caravelle plane. I never knew that!!!!

Regards,

Aharon