Following the issue of the necessary government permits, Kiwi Travel International Airlines commenced scheduled flights between Hamilton and Sydney using a leased Boeing 727-200 on 23 August 1995.

The airline offered full economy services as well as no frills "Peanuts and Cola"-class fares.

[5] Kiwi added a second aircraft, an Airbus A320,[4] and expanded its network to include Christchurch and the Australian cities of Melbourne and Perth.

Following intense competition with Freedom Air and a series of financial difficulties, Kiwi Travel International Airlines went into voluntary liquidation on 9 September 1996.

In Brisbane, the company's Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 were taken by Airservices Australia in lieu of unpaid aviation fees.