Skybus was an attempt to create a privately owned commercial airline in New Zealand back in the days of ubiqutous state control of public transport. It was the brainchild of Aqua Avia Society, who tried to take advantages of loopholes in the law to try and establish the airline in the late 1970's (see Piako Aero Club). What followed were blatant government attempts to quash the venture from the moment of its inception, which finally forced Aqua Avia to abandon its attempt on the eve of its starting commercial service. The then-Immigation Minister Aussie Malcolm is credited with doing the most to bring the airline down.
Skybus had originally chartered two Vickers Viscounts which had been delivered to New Zealand in its new livery just before Aqua Avia abandoned its attempts after Malcolm invoked a delaying tactic that resulting in grounding the airline beyond Aqua Avia's ability to stay solvent.
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