North Shore Monday

Barrier Air Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX ZK-SDA with a full load departing North Shore for Great Barrier Island on 7 July 2025

My first sighting of Sling Aircraft Sling 4 TSi ZK-DBV at North Shore on 7 July 2025

Beech A36 Bonanza DPT at North Shore on 7 July 2025

Bell Jetranger ZK-HGD at North Shore on 7 July 2025

Robinson R44 Raven ZK-ITS at North Shore on 7 July 2025 

 

Vans RV-12 ZK-SCM at North Shore on 7 July 2025

Another Ouch for Westport

 

It looks like Originair continues to struggle on the Wellington-Westport route. 

Originair started serving Westport on the 3rd of January 2025 and initially offered 6 flights a week. The schedules offered were not tailored for business customers and the reduction indicates the leisure market isn't enough to sustain the schedule offered.

From the 15th of May the airline cut its Tuesdays and Thursdays flights to Westport with the last of these being operated on the Tuesday the 13th of May 2025. 

From the 1st of August 2025, according to the airline's website, no Sunday services will operated between Wellington and Westport.

As much as I admire Originair's tenacity in taking on Westport their timetabling hasn't helped. It is the business traffic that will pay the bills and the current schedule does not suit business people travelling to or from Westport. 

One wonders what will happen to these regional services operated by the independents and Air New Zealand. Will the Government act? 

Sunair Kaitaia Schedule Started

 

Sunair have officially launched their new weekday air service between Kaitaia and Whangārei today, the 7th July 2025. 

The first flights, SAV 11, from Kaitaia to Whangārei and SAV 12 from Whangārei to Kaitaia were operated in Piper Aztec, ZK-DGS. 

A statement on Sunair's Facebook page said, After supporting the region by flying medical staff between Kaitaia and Whangārei, we’re now thrilled to open this service to the public. Whether you're heading to an appointment, connecting with whānau, or travelling for work—this is a fast, convenient option for Northlanders.

Still Flying Despite Receivership

Long-established air freight company Airwork Group has been placed into receivership. Airwork, whose New Zealand roots trace back to 1936, has a fleet of Boeing 737 freighters and operates an air freight, maintenance, and aircraft leasing business. The company was briefly listed on the stock exchange in 2013 before a Chinese company, Zhejiang Rifa Holdings, took it private in 2017. Brendon Gibson, Daniel Stoneman and Neale Jackson of Calibre Partners were appointed as receivers. They said the move was made after a shareholder breached the company's banking facilities during the sale of the business. "This step has been taken to facilitate a structured process to identify a new owner for the business," Gibson said. "The trading performance of the business underpins the strategy to continue to trade with the support of the financiers, customers, and key suppliers with a view of immediately commencing a going-concern sale process for the New Zealand and Australian businesses and assets." In recent years, Airwork racked up hundreds of millions of dollars of losses after five of its six Boeing 757 freighter aircraft were trapped and illegally seized in Russia after the country invaded Ukraine. That forced the company to write off its value, and it became trapped in litigation with its insurers. The company sold its helicopter operations in 2022 and has since sold several surplus aircraft and engines to try and stay afloat. More recently, Airwork defaulted on a USD$83.5 million bank loan. The company employs around 180 people in New Zealand and Australia.

Source : https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360744516/airwork-group-grounded-russian-seizures-and-growing-debt-sink-nz-aviation-firm

NZX I ASX ANNOUNCEMENT 2 July 2025 UPDATE ON PARCELAIR JV PARTNER 

Freightways and Airwork Holdings Limited (Airwork), each through a subsidiary, are 50/50 joint venture partners in Parcelair Limited (Parcelair), that provides services to the Freightways network. Freightways is aware of the appointment of receivers to Airwork and certain Airwork subsidiaries. The receivers have announced an intention for Airwork to continue to trade as a going concern. Freightways will continue to closely monitor the situation with Airwork and, if necessary, has a contingency plan which can be implemented on short notice and with minimal operational impact. 

For further information please contact: Stephan Deschamps Chief Financial Officer Freightways Group Limited 

My profile on Airwork (NZ) can be found here : 

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2024/04/airwork-nz-pioneer-company-still-flying.html

Sunair Adds Kaitaia to its Schedule

Sunair's latest timetable, which becomes effective on the 7th of July 2025, lists Kaitaia as a destination for the first time. Sunair has been a regular visitor to Kaitaia since August 2016 when it took over providing over the medical staff flight between Whangarei and Kaitaia from Barrier Air who retired its Piper Chieftains from its fleet. Sunair operates one to two flights per day, normally about four days a week. 

In Sunair's new schedule, Monday to Friday Kaitaia to Whangarei flights are being offered departing Kaitaia at 9.00am, after the arrival of the medical flight, and the return flight Kaitaia is being offered departing Whangarei at 5.00pm. This enables a full day of business in Whangarei for Kaitaia residents.

Fua'amotu this Week

It was pretty miserable weather in Tonga the last few days but did manage to catch the locals in action

Lulutai Airlines' Viking DHC-6-400 Twin Otter A3-KLT arriving from Ha'apai on 23 June 2025 

Lulutai Airlines' Harbin Y-12 A3-SPV departing for and returning from 'Eua on 24 June 2025 

Air Chathams Saab 340 ZK-CIZ returning from Vava'u after at a missed approach on 24 June 2025

My ride home - Air New Zealand Airbus 321 Neo ZK-NNG arriving from Auckland on 25 June 2025

 

Second Southern Lease

 

Yesterday, the 23rd of June 2025, Barrier Air's Cessna 208B Grand Caravan ZK-SDG flew from Auckland to Wanaka. After a local flight yesterday it has flown on to Queenstown on lease to Milford Sound Flights for these quieter months for Barrier Air. It joins sister Caravan ZK-SDB which is on lease to True South for the winter.

Dunedin Regains International Flights

Dunedin regains international flights today as Jetstar launches international flights from connecting the southern city with the Gold Coast. The Dunedin Gold Coast flights are being offered three days a week. Dunedin lost international flights when Virgin Australia pulled out in March 2020 as the Covid pandemic caused the cessation of services.

Jetstar is operating its first Gold Coast-Dunedin-Gold Coast flights today, the 24th of June 2025, with Airbus 320 JQ190 doing the honours flying from Coolangatta to Dunedin as JQ189 and the return as VH-YXS.

The Dunedin Gold Coast flights are being offered three days a week.

From 24 June 2025

Flight  Frequency          From  To          Depart  Arrive 

JQ190  Tues, Thurs, Sat  DUD  OOL  1545*  1725 

JQ189  Tues, Thurs, Sat  OOL  DUD  0925  1445*

Second International Destination for Hamilton

 

Jetstar is today launching its second new service into Hamilton within a week. The airline is operating its first Gold Coast-Hamilton-Gold Coast flights today, the 18th of June 2025, with Airbus 320 VH-VQF currently crossing the Tasman. The Airbus is flying Coolangatta to Hamilton as JQ163 and the return as JQ164. This is the first time that Jetstar has flown between the Gold Coast and Hamilton,

The Hamilton Gold Coast flights are being offered three days a week.

From 18 June 2025

Flight  Frequency       From  To          Depart  Arrive 

JQ164  Wed, Fri, Sun       HLZ  OOL  1230*  1420 

JQ163  Wed, Fri, Sun       OOL  HLZ  0620  1130*

*Non daylight savings time

Jetstar Launches New Hamilton-Sydney Service

 

Jetstar is today operating its first Sydney-Hamilton-Sydney flights today, the 16th of June 2025 with Airbus 320 VH-XSJ currently crossing the Tasman as it operates Hamilton's first scheduled international flights in 13 years. The Airbus is flying Sydney to Hamilton as JQ165 and the return as JQ166.

The Hamilton Sydney flights are being offered four days a week.

From 16 June 2025

Flight  Frequency                  From  To          Depart  Arrive 

JQ166  Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat  HLZ  SYD  1205*  1335 

JQ165  Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat  SYD  HLZ  0615  1115*

*Non daylight savings time

Links to the airlines that have operated international services to Hamilton can be found here :

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2020/02/hamilton-international-index-of-posts.html

Caravan for Sale

There has been quite a bit of media reporting on the current struggle of New Zealand's regional airlines with much of the focus being on Sounds Air and Air Chathams. In the latest development Barrier Air has put its sixth Cessna Grand Caravan on the market. Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX ZK-SDA entered service with Barrier Air on the 23rd of October 2024, flying GB 713 to Kaitaia and the return flight GB 714. 

Barrier Air's Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX ZK-SDA at Whitianga on 2 June 2025

In addition to this Barrier Air's Cessna 208B Grand Caravan ZK-SDB is on lease to True South at Queenstown over the winter months. 

Barrier Air is unique in that it faces a vastly different seasonal capacity issue with a massive demand for flights to Great Barrier Island in the summer and a much reduced demand in winter. Despite the impending sale no routes are being dropped as Barrier Air seeks to manage capacity and viability.   

See : https://www.controller.com/listing/for-sale/245391931/2022-cessna-caravan-208b-grand-ex-turboprop-aircraft 

Newest Airbus 321 Enters Service

 

Air New Zealand's newest Airbus 321, ZK-NNH, entered service this morning, 12 June 2025, flying NZ143 from Auckland to Brisbane. It is scheduled to return as NZ142 later today. The Airbus arrived into the country on the 3rd of June 2025.

City Shuttle - Air New Zealand's Helicopter Service

 

New Zealand has had only two scheduled helicopter-operated air services. Both were short-lived. 

The second, that operated during the summer of 1991/92, was operated by Vincent Aviation between Wellington and Picton in a joint venture with Helicopters (NZ) Ltd using one of their Bell 212 helicopters which could carry twelve passengers. The timetable showed flights would operate on Friday and Sunday evenings with a fare of $111. Additional flights were scheduled over the Christmas holiday period. 

The first scheduled helicopter service was designed to overfly Auckland traffic. The company that operated it, Heli Taxis Limited, was founded on the 4th of August 1987, by Arthur Young. The company was contracted by Air New Zealand offer the helicopter service which flew under the name of “City Shuttle.” Flights operated between Auckland International Airport and Mechanics Bay near downtown Auckland, the service starting on the 15th of June 1988 using Agusta A109A II ZK-HBC (c/n 7122). 

NZ Herald, 13 June 1988 

Prior to the service’s commencement media representatives were given an opportunity to sample it. On the 14th of June 1988 the Christchurch Press published the impressions of Les Bloxham, the newspaper’s travel editor… 

Passing everything in sight, I simply flew along Auckland’s southern motorway at 240km/h yesterday but didn’t cop a ticket. In fact the cops would have had difficulty in keeping up for I was 300 metres above the road in Air New Zealand’s new “city shuttle” helicopter. The seven-minute link between Auckland Airport and Mechanics Bay, on the downtown waterfront, was unveiled to journalists yesterday. It will be available to the public from tomorrow at $60 a seat — double the charge by taxi and about eight times as much as a ticket on the Airporter bus, both of which take about 30 minutes depending on traffic. Strictly speaking, the complete journey by city shuttle takes 15 minutes allowing for the time to travel by road from Air New Zealand’s downtown terminal to the helipad at Mechanics Bay. 

Passengers in a hurry, however, stand to save at least 15 minutes, possibly more at peak time. One of the advantages offered by the new service is the check-in facility at the airline’s downtown travel centre. Passengers get their boarding passes there and can make a gate-to-gate transfer after arriving at the airport by helicopter. Air New Zealand’s new chief executive, Mr Jim Scott, said the airline was proud to be providing “this innovative service.” “It is yet another manifestation of the national carrier's commitment to provide the best services for every type of passenger. “We are confident the service will meet a need that will be well supported.” 

The helicopter will be run by an Auckland company, Helitaxis, Ltd, under contract to Air New Zealand, using a six-seat Agusta 109 twin engine machine. The airline has given consideration to the flight path to keep the helicopter away from residential areas. It follows the motorway before flying over commercial land at Otara.

A cover shot for New Zealand Wings, Agusta 109 ZK-HBC flying past Air New Zealand's building in downtown Auckland. Source : NZ Wings, July 1988

Meanwhile, Ross MacPherson made a nice connection in July 1988 issue of Wings...  Air New Zealand is going back to its roots. Not for any reasons of nostalgia - the current climate does not allow for much of that - but to launch a new customer service based on Auckland. TEAL, Air New Zealand's international predecessor, began its trans Tasman operation out of Mechanics Bay on Auckland, city waterfront with Short S.30 flying boats in April 1940.1t was a harbour front connection that was to conclude with the by Solent flight from Fiji in September Now Mechanics Bay figures once again on Air New Zealand schedules. this time as the city terminus for an innovative helicopter shuttle service to Auckland International. 

City Shuttle's Agusta 109 at Ardmore in August 1988. Photo : B Kerr Collection

Seven return flights were operated each weekday, with the first flight departing from the airport at 8.15am, arriving at Mechanics Bay at 8.25am before departing back to the airport at 8.35am. The last service of the day departed Mechanics Bay at 5.55pm with the flights per day from Monday to Friday have been timed to coincide with Air New Zealand’s flights to and from Wellington and Christchurch. At Auckland International flights operated from Gate 27, beside the airbridge at the Air New Zealand domestic terminal. 

On the 21st the Press reported that Air New Zealand is pleased with the response its new City Shuttle helicopter service has received in its first week of operation. The scheduled flights have brought downtown Auckland to within seven minutes of the domestic, terminal at Mangere. The service is being provided under contract for the airline by Helitaxis, Ltd, from Its base at Mechanics Bay. Passengers are transferred between the heli-pad and Air New Zealand’s downtown travel centre by mini-bus, a trip that takes about three minutes. The bus is also available to passengers wanting to be dropped off at other Auckland central-city locations. Passengers who book for a City Shuttle flight (and reservations are essential) receive their domestic flight boarding passes at the downtown travel centre. They can then directly board their aircraft after the helicopter lands at the domestic terminal.

The Press, 21 June 1988

The June 1988 edition of Aviation News gave more information on the Agusta helicopter. Air New Zealand's "City Shuttle" service will be operated by an Auckland company - Helitaxis Ltd - under contract to the airline, using a six-seater, Agusta 109 twin engined helicopter. This helicopter type is extensively used for executive transport as well as air ambulance service when patient comfort necessitates quietness, safety, mobility and speed… The Agusta has several advantages for this particular operation: The four-bladed, twin engined is a good neighbour and in fact of being the quietest helicopter type in service in New Zealand. It is also fast, cruising at 155 knots. Its retractable undercarriage allows the helicopter to taxi right up to the airport gate at Auckland airport and the newly refurbished, executive interior will provide for a comfortable ride. 

The Press, 13 July 1988

In addition to the scheduled work the Agusta operated scenic helicopter flights from Mechanics Bay in the weekend.

City Shuttle's Agusta 109 ZK-HBC offering scenic flights at Mechanics Bay in 1988. Photos: L Acket

In December 1988 a notice in the New Zealand Gazette seemed to indicate there were problems brewing. On the 19th of December 1988 Air New Zealand filed an application for the winding up of Helitaxis Limited by the High Court. The order sought is an order that Air New Zealand Limited purchase the shares of Thomas Williams Nominees Limited, and A. W. Young in Helitaxis Limited, at a price to be fixed by arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the Arbitration Act 1908. 

In January 1989 the City Shuttle service, having failed to gain sufficient patronage, ceased operating. 

Within a few days of this the Press reported that Air New Zealand is being sued for $41.3 million by the company which operated the city-to-Auckland Airport helicopter passenger shuttle for the airline. The service ceased operating earlier this month, apparently because of insufficient patronage. Air New Zealand had opted out some time earlier, however. Heli Taxis Limited is claiming that the airline is in breach of a contract by not only not promoting the service, but by discouraging its use. It alleges that Air New Zealand "absolutely refused to promote it, so that the service is in disuse." The agreement was for a minimum of 15 years and Heli Taxis calculates it will lose $41.3 million over that period in earnings. The estimated first-year return of $574,000 was expected to increase by a minimum of 20 per cent a year. It claims that the airline withdrew Heli Taxi's domestic terminal and landing facilities at the beginning of December and forced it to relocate. Heli Taxis is seeking $41.3 million in damages and a High Court order directing Air New Zealand to promote and utilise its service. It also wants the airline to be restrained from encouraging its passengers to travel between the airport and the city by any way except its helicopter service. Under the contract Air New Zealand agreed to purchase a minimum of 750 flights a year at an initial rate of $1640 per flying hour. Air New Zealand says it will fight the action. 

So ended New Zealand's first scheduled helicopter service.

Whangarei-Kaitaia Flights to be on Offer

Yesterday the NZ Herald published an article on flight cancellations to Northland which included an interesting little snippet about Sunair. The airline's flight operations manager Dan Power told the Herald, Sunair focuses on flying its passengers province-to-province on a direct flight, so they don’t have to transfer. It will be extending its services in spring with daily flights between Kaitāia and Whangārei: a route not offered by anyone else. Sunair already flies medical staff between Kaitāia and Whangārei and has decided to extend this service to the public, Power said.

Source : https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/weather-woes-see-flight-cancellations-soar-in-northland-for-april/O2AEVDW54BGVLKMUQ6THZXSLME/

A couple of regionals

 

Sunair's Piper Aztec ZK-DIR was at Kaitaia on 29 May 2025. Sunair flies medical staff from Whangarei to Kaitaia several times each week

Barrier Air's Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX ZK-SDA was at Whitianga on 2 June 2025