Sunair Resumes Scheduled Services

Sunair's regular air services resumed this morning, the 1st of December 2025, with Piper Aztec ZK-FVP flying as SUNAIR 11P from Gisborne to Napier and then the return from Napier to Wairoa and on to Gisborne.

Sunair was grounded on the 10th of July 2025 by the CAA due to maintenance and safety concerns. The final flights before the grounding were operated on the 9th of July with Piper Aztec ZK-MTY operating as SUNAIR 12Y flying from Gisborne to Napier and Tauranga before returning to Gisborne, Piper Aztec ZK-DIR operating as  SUNAIR 16R flying the medical flight from Whangārei to Kaitaia and return and then on Hamilton before positioning to Tauranga as ZK-DIR and Cessna 172 which operated as SUNAIR 13O (Oscar) from Tauranga to Napier. 

ZK-DIR's medical flight on the 9th of July from Whangārei to Kaitaia in the morning and returning in the afternoon proved to be the last Sunair operated medical flight. The contract passed to Skyline Aviation during the grounding. Meanwhile, Air Gisborne maintained Sunair's East Coast service between Gisborne Wairoa and Napier as demand warranted using Cessna 172 ZK-DXF.

Sunair's chief executive Doug Roberts told the NZ Herald the airline was not happy with how the process turned out. “It was very protracted and very tough on the business in terms of what was required. It’s still not over entirely.” The company has indicated the East Coast service will start first with the Tauranga-Whitianga-Great Barrier Island service starting next.