Air Safaris
Air Safaris is a brand associated with air travel, but its specific entity and business scope could not be reliably confirmed.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Air Safaris is a New Zealand aviation company specializing in scenic flights, charter operations, and aviation services across the South Island. Its principal base is Lake Tekapo Airport, approximately 2.8 kilometres west of the township of Lake Tekapo in the Mackenzie District. The company also operates from Franz Josef, Glentanner, Twizel, and Mount Cook airports, giving it access to some of the South Island's most prominent alpine and glacial landscapes. The business began in 1970 at Mesopotamia Station, initially transporting hunters and hikers into remote mountain areas. It moved its operations to Lake Tekapo in 1974, where the surrounding high-country terrain and proximity to Aoraki / Mount Cook and the Southern Alps supported the development of a tourism-oriented aviation business. Its early fleet included the Cessna 180, followed by Cessna 185, Cessna 206, and Cessna 207 aircraft. In 1978, the company introduced Pilatus Porters equipped with skis, enabling operations from glaciers and snowfields. The arrival of the 15-seat GAF Nomad in 1981 expanded its ability to carry sightseeing passengers from several South Island airports. Air Safaris has combined tourism flying with wider commercial aviation work. Its services have included aircraft charter, freight, aerial photography and filming, survey work, and access to remote locations. The company also operated scheduled and contracted services at different points in its history. In 1987 it acquired Air Timaru and continued services from Timaru to Oamaru and Invercargill using Piper PA-31 Navajo aircraft. Between 1991 and 1996, one GAF Nomad was used for Air Nelson services to Christchurch and was also made available for regional capacity involving Christchurch, Hokitika, and Mount Cook routes. These scheduled operations were later discontinued. Scenic aviation remains the central consumer-facing proposition. Air Safaris offers fixed-wing sightseeing around Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park and Westland National Park, including large-scale alpine itineraries such as the Grand Traverse. The company also provides charter links from Christchurch and Queenstown to Lake Tekapo for passengers connecting with scenic experiences. In 2013, it added a Robinson R44 helicopter and expanded into scenic helicopter flights alongside its fixed-wing operations. The fleet has changed over time from small general-aviation aircraft and ski-equipped Pilatus Porters to larger tourism aircraft. The GAF N24A Nomad has been identified as the largest aircraft in the fleet, supported by Cessna 208B and Gippsland GA8 Airvan aircraft. Earlier Cessna types and the Pilatus Porter have since been retired. The company logo uses a stylized chamois, an alpine goat-like animal associated with New Zealand's South Island high country. Air Safaris has also been recognized for aviation safety. It received a Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand safety award in 1996, and in 2002 it was among Tourism Flight Operators New Zealand members recognized for work intended to raise tourism-flight safety standards. The company has continued developing its regional infrastructure, including improvements at Pukaki Airport near Twizel to support scenic operations. Its history includes a fatal 1998 scenic-flight accident in the Mount Cook area; the cause was not determined in the reference account. Overall, Air Safaris occupies a specialist position at the intersection of tourism, remote-area aviation, charter transport, and alpine access.
Products and positioning
A specialist South Island aviation brand focused on alpine sightseeing, glacier and national-park access, private charter, and remote-area aviation services.
Product categories. Fixed-wing scenic flights · Scenic helicopter flights · Air charter · Regional and connecting charter services · Aerial photography and filming flights · Freight and logistics flights · Survey and remote-access aviation services
Recent events
- 2013
Air Safaris added helicopter sightseeing[1]
Product launch
The operator introduced a Robinson R44 helicopter and began offering scenic helicopter flights in addition to fixed-wing sightseeing.
- 2009
Air Safaris became the first New Zealand operator to purchase the Gippsland Airvan[1]
Product generation
The company added the Gippsland GA8 Airvan, expanding its fleet for tourism and utility aviation.
- 2002
Tourism Flight Operators New Zealand received a national aviation safety award[1]
Other
Air Safaris was among the tourism-flight operators recognized for collective work to improve safety standards in the sector.
- 1998
Fatal Cessna 177B accident in the Mount Cook area[1]
Other
An Air Safaris Cessna 177B crashed into a snow-covered mountain face during a scenic flight near Mount Cook, killing the pilot and two passengers. The reference account states that the cause was not determined.
- 1996
Air Safaris received a Civil Aviation Authority safety award[1]
Other
Air Safaris and Services (NZ) was recognized by New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority for its safety performance and operating standards.
- 1987
Air Safaris purchased Air Timaru[1]
M&A
The company acquired Air Timaru and continued regional services linking Timaru with Oamaru and Invercargill.
- 1974
Air Safaris moved its operations to Lake Tekapo[1]
Other
The operator relocated its base to Lake Tekapo, which became the centre of its scenic-flight and charter network.
- 1970
Air Safaris established at Mesopotamia Station[1]
Other
The company began operations transporting hunters and hikers into remote mountain areas of New Zealand's South Island.
Sources1 sources
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