[2] Their reasons for wishing to buy the airline were to make more revenue from overseas passengers, instead of simply feeding them to Mount Cook's air operation.

They also claimed that Mount Cook's HS 748 aircraft were no longer up to the standards expected by overseas tourists with Newmans intending to re-equip their airline with either De Havilland Canada Dash 7 or BAe 146s.

Newmans Air chose to start operations using DHC-7, although only Glentanner actually required an aircraft with short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities.

During its brief existence as a separate company, Newmans Air established an interline agreement with Te Anau-based Waterwings Airways for transfer of passengers at Queenstown.

Waterwings Airways was established three years earlier, having taken over Mount Cook Airlines loss-making Te Anau floatplane service.