Zia Airlines Hadley Page HP.137 Jetstream

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The Handley Page HP.137 Jetstream is a small twin-turboprop airliner, with a pressurized fuselage manufactured by Handley Page Limited. The aircraft was designed to meet the requirements of the United States commuter and regional airline market. The design was later improved by featuring different turboprop engines. The first production model Jetstream 1 flew on December 6, 1968 and over the next year 36 would be delivered. However, by this point Handley Page had given up on the original engine, and the Jetstream 2 was launched with the larger 965 hp Astazou XVI in late 1969. Only three Jetstream 2s would be completed before Handley Page went bankrupt, and the production line was eventually shut down in 1970.

Zia Airlines was a commuter airline based in Las Cruces, New Mexico and began operations in August, 1972 as Associated Air Ambulance Service. In 1974 scheduled passenger flights began with a Santa Fe-Albuquerque-Las Cruces-El Paso route. In 1979, Zia was awarded the Essential Air Service (EAS) rights for subsidized service to both cities. The carrier first considered the Swearingen Metroliner but settled with obtaining two British built Handley-Page Jetstreams. Unfortunately these aircraft incurred significant maintenance issues causing a high rate of flight cancellations and a dark image for Zia. In early 1980 the company changed its name to Air New Mexico and new service from Albuquerque to Durango, Colorado was added however the carrier was overwhelmed with financial burdens and ceased all operations on May 12, 1980.

This Hadley Page HP.137 Jetstream, N-12225 was the first turbo prop to be used by Zia Airlines for service in July of 1978 from Albuquerque to both southern New Mexico and southeastern New Mexico.

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