Taupō - Index of Posts

 The following is a list of operators that have flown regular air services through Taupō and links to my profiles on their operation. As always I love to receive corrections, more information and photos to update these posts... Steve - westland831@gmail.com

1957-1960

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2026/02/taupos-land-and-water-operator-taupo.html

1957-1958

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2013/03/petersen-aviation-wairoas-first-air.html

1961-1966

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2026/08/spanz-and-taupos-aspirations-for-air.html

1966-1978

Post in final stages of preparation

Looking for photos of Friendships at Taupo

1966-1975

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2026/03/learn-to-fly-taupo-flying-school-and.html

1968

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2020/12/sky-travel-nz-brave-new-feeder-operator.html

1970-1971

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2010/04/geyserland-airways.html

1975-1976

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2012/08/air-north-big-enough-to-serve-small.html

1975-1982

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2013/11/air-central-north-island-commuter.html

1978-1990, 2016-current

Post to be written

1981

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2014/03/lakeair-and-mitsubishis-for-sale.html

1983-early 1990s

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2010/03/taupo-air-services.html

1987-1996

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2016/02/mount-cook-airlines-part-3-1980-1995.html

1990-2016

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2013/01/eagle-airways-part-1-fledgling-eagle.html

1990-1991

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2017/07/air-nelson-part-1-nelson-wellington.html

1995-2004

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2025/03/aircruising-new-zealand.html

1996-1997

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-air-charter-company.html

1997-1998

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2011/07/economic-and-efficient-travel-northern.html

1998-mid 2000s

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-barrier-connection-great-barrier.html

2003-2004

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2015/08/origin-pacific-airways-airline-for-our.html

2016-2024

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2014/08/sounds-air-fast-scenic-way-to-cross.html

2025

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2015/08/originair-new-cook-strait-carrier.html

The Air Charter Company - One of our Courier Operators

 

In the 1980s and 1990s there were a number of small air charter operators whose operations largely went unnoticed. The Air Charter Company was one of these operators. It was established in 1995 by David Ross and based in Rotorua and offered 24 hour nationwide charter, scenic air tours and air freight services. Iain Payne was appointed as the chief pilot. 

The first aircraft registered to David Ross was Beech 76 Duchess ZK-SIR which was also registered to him between April 1995 and November 1997. This was Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II ZK-ESK between November 1995 and February 1996. 

The Air Charter Company's first aircraft, Beech Duchess ZK-SIR at Wanaka on 6 April 1996. Photo : I Coates.

Bay of Plenty Yellow Pages, 1996

Sometime in 1996 The Air Charter Company started operating a courier freight service out of Auckland. It has been difficult to find definitive information but it seems the service saw an early morning flight departing from Auckland for Tauranga, Rotorua and Taupō. In the late afternoon/evening the aircraft flight returned to Auckland departing Taupō and flying via Rotorua and Hamilton. A courier service was also operated between Auckland and Whangārei. The NZ Wings Directory of 1997 seems indicate similar flights between Wellington and Masterton this has not been able to confirm. The Air Charter Company used the callsign REGIONAL. 

In addition to the Beech Duchess A number of twin aircraft were used to operated the courier services. In addition to Partenavia P68B Victor ZK-DMA was leased from North Island Air Services Ltd which traded as Northern Air. 

Partenavia P76B Victor ZK-DMA at Ardmore on 20 June 1995. Photo : MRC Aviation

In June 1996 Partenavia P68B Victor ZK-ERA was registered to David Ross in June 1996. The same month Cessna 421C Golden Eagle ZK-ZAQ was also registered to him and it was with the company until November 1996. In July 1996 Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II ZK-DCP was registered to David Ross until March 1997. 

The Air Charter Company's Partenavia P76B Victor ZK-ERA sitting at Taupō for the day on 22 November 1996

The Air Charter Company's Beech Duchess ZK-SIR at Rotorua operating courier flight REGIONAL 45 to Hamilton and Auckland on 14 March 1997. Photo F B Gavin

Northern Air took over The Air Charter Company’s courier services in October 1997.  

David Ross was later involved with Bay Air Aviation which also operated a courier service from Rotorua to Auckland.

If any pilots from the Air Charter Company read this I would appreciate it if you could give me more information about what routes the aircraft flew in the mornings and evenings. Thanks, Steve - westland831@gmail.com

Others @ AKL on Monday

China Southern's Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner B-227L at Auckland on 8 December 2025

China Eastern's Boeing 777-300 B-7365 at Auckland on 8 December 2025

Latam'sBoeing 787-9 Dreamliner CC-BGH at Auckland on 8 December 2025

A couple of shots of Wamos Air's Airbus 330 EC-OLG at Auckland on 8 December 2025

Solomon Airlines' Airbus 320 H4-SIB at Auckland on 8 December 2025

IAI 1125 Astra SPX  N974MT at Auckland on 8 December 2025

Jetstar's Airbus 321 VH-OYT at Auckland on 8 December 2025

 

Other Kiwis @ AKL on Monday

Air Chathams' Saab 340 ZK-CIW at Auckland on 8 December 2025

Air Chathams' Saab 340 ZK-KRA at Auckland on 8 December 2025

Registered to Skyline Aviation, Beechcraft 400A Beechjet ZK-NXJ at Auckland on 8 December 2025

Barrier Air's Cessna Grand Caravan ZK-SDB at Auckland on 8 December 2025

Barrier Air's Cessna Grand Caravan ZK-SDC at Auckland on 8 December 2025

 

Air NZ @ AKL on Monday

Airbus 321 ZK-NNB at Auckland on 8 December 2025

Airbus 321 ZK-NNE at Auckland on 8 December 2025

Airbus 321 ZK-NNH at Auckland on 8 December 2025

Airbus 321 ZK-NNI at Auckland on 8 December 2025

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ZK-NZG at Auckland on 8 December 2025

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ZK-NZL at Auckland on 8 December 2025

Boeing 777-300 ZK-OKS at Auckland on 8 December 2025

Boeing 777-300 ZK-OKW at Auckland on 8 December 2025

 

Sunday at Kerikeri

The Northland Coastguard Air Patrol's Cessna 182 ZK-CGD at Kerikeri on 7 December 2025

Salt Air's Gippsland Airvan ZK-MAB arriving back into Kerikeri on 7 December 2025

Air New Zealand's ATR 72-600 ZK-MZE did a spectacular bounce and go around at Kerikeri on 7 December 2025

My ride back to Auckland... Barrier Air's Cessna Grand Caravan ZK-SDB at Kerikeri on 7 December 2025

Avions Pierre Robin R2160 ZK-SPN at Kerikeri on 7 December 2025

 

More Air NZ Domestic Flying

 

The uplift is part of the airline's long-term focus on delivering for New Zealand by supporting domestic growth, business connectivity, and tourism. Air New Zealand General Manager Short Haul and Domestic Lucy Hall says the airline is focused on ensuring its network meets the needs of its customers. "We are constantly reviewing our network to make sure we are offering the best possible schedule and capacity for Kiwi customers. These updates are all about keeping New Zealanders connected, supporting regional growth, and making it easier for people to travel for work, to visit loved ones, or to explore more of Aotearoa."

The airline will increase seats across several of its busiest routes:

Auckland–Queenstown up 9%

Auckland–Christchurch up 4%

Auckland-Rotorua up 7%

Auckland–Blenheim up 7%

Christchurch-Hamilton up 17%

The Auckland–Queenstown route will see significant uplift, growing by 9%, as the airline adds more flights to meet strong demand. In total, around 50,000 additional seats will be available to and from Queenstown over the year, giving customers more choice and flexibility when travelling to one of New Zealand's most popular destinations. Christchurch will see an increase in regional capacity, offering around 25,000 more seats than the same period this year. 

From 9 February 2026, jet services will operate daily on the Christchurch–Hamilton route, increasing capacity by 17%. 

Additional growth is planned on services from Christchurch to Napier, Nelson, Rotorua, Tauranga and Invercargill, giving customers more options in and out of the city. In the North Island, the Auckland–Rotorua route will be upgauged to an ATR aircraft, increasing capacity by 7% and providing more seats at business-friendly times. 

A new weekday schedule includes a 6:50am Rotorua–Auckland departure and a 6:20pm Auckland–Rotorua return, designed to support same-day travel for business customers. The Wellington–Rotorua route will also benefit from a new timetable offering morning and afternoon flights at convenient times, while the Christchurch–Rotorua service will see capacity increase by 4%. "We heard from the Rotorua community that better flight times for business travel were a priority, so we're adjusting the schedule to meet that request. These changes will make it easier for locals to travel to Auckland for a full day's work and return home the same evening," says Hall.

These schedule and capacity changes form part of Air New Zealand's broader commitment to deliver for New Zealand by increasing capacity to support customers, communities and the economy.

Source : https://www.airnewzealandnewsroom.com/press-release-2025-air-new-zealand-boosts-2026-domestic-capacity-to-help-keep-kiwi-travellers-connected, 2 December 2025

Plane Spotting Last Month

Air New Zealand Airbus 321 ZK-NNA at Auckland on 29 November 2025

Air New Zealand Airbus 321 ZK-NNI at Auckland on 29 November 2025

Barrier Air Cessna Grand Caravan ZK-SDB at Auckland on 29 November 2025

Texel Air Boeing 737-800 ZK-TXE at Auckland on 29 November 2025

Jet Charter Cessna Mustang ZK-VXM at Auckland on 29 November 2025

Christmas Expansion Update

 

In an email to their customers Originair has announced that based on customer feedback we’ll be enhancing our services to provide travellers with improved flight options effective 09 February 2026 including –

- New services on peak days between Nelson and Christchurch with peak day, peak time flights have been added on Fridays and Sundays for both full week trips and weekends away in Christchurch or Nelson. 

- Enhancing our Blenheim - Christchurch flight timings to give you more time in each destination and,

- Providing additional travel options between Blenheim and Wellington with what looks like four flights a week on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Hamilton's Second Domestic Jet Service Starts

 

Jetstar began a new domestic service this morning, the 1st of December 2025, with a daily service commencing between Christchurch and Hamilton. 

The first flight was operated in Airbus 320 VH-VFT which operated the northbound service from Christchurch to Hamilton, JQ272, before operating the return service, JQ273. 

The new Jetstar flights leave Christchurch at 8.10am to arrive into Hamilton at 9.25am. The return flight depart Hamilton at 10.00am to arrive in Christchurch at 11.15am.

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. It then reversed these flights in the afternoon.

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.