Salt Air

Salt Air is a New Zealand aviation and tourism operator based in Paihia in the Bay of Islands, Northland. The family business was established by Grant Harnish in December 1992, initially using a Grumman Widgeon seaplane for scenic flights from the central Paihia waterfront. Its early focus was the visitor economy of the Bay of Islands, where aerial sightseeing provided a distinctive way to view the region’s coastline, islands, and historic maritime landscape. Following a successful first season, the company developed Paihia as a more permanent operating base and established its head office beside the seaplane ramp. The business subsequently broadened beyond seaplane sightseeing. Salt Air introduced land-based aircraft operations from Haruru Falls and Kerikeri, enabling it to operate excursions to Cape Reinga at the northern tip of New Zealand. These tours used the airstrip at Waitiki Landing, approximately 20 kilometres from Cape Reinga, with passengers continuing by road to Cape Reinga and the Te Paki Sand Dunes. In 2008, the company acquired a Gippsland GA-8 Airvan for this activity, operating Cape Reinga flights twice daily during summer and once daily during winter according to the referenced account. Helicopter services became part of Salt Air’s offering in 2001. The company used helicopters for scenic flights over the Bay of Islands as well as for charter work. This expanded the brand’s tourism proposition while also giving it a broader role in New Zealand’s general aviation and charter market. Salt Air later developed a scheduled regional service under the Salt Air Xpress name. In 2007 it acquired a Cessna Caravan for flights between Whangarei and Auckland’s North Shore Aerodrome. The service was supported by Salt Air-operated vans that connected with the Northern Busway and carried passengers toward central Auckland. Kerikeri was added to the network in 2008. Although the Xpress operation was reportedly successful, Salt Air sold it to Flight Hauraki as part of an effort to streamline its operations. The final Salt Air service operated on 31 October 2012, and the Cessna Caravan was subsequently removed from the fleet. The transfer marked a shift away from scheduled regional air services and toward the company’s core scenic-flight and charter activities. Salt Air’s remaining business has centered on tourism flights, helicopter operations, and charter services to airports across New Zealand’s North Island. The company has also used LongRanger helicopters for firefighting work, illustrating the breadth of its aviation capabilities beyond passenger sightseeing. Its principal tourism locations and destinations include Paihia, Kerikeri, and Waitiki Landing for Cape Reinga tours. Salt Air is best understood as a regional aviation and tourism brand rather than a large scheduled airline: its identity is built around local knowledge, flexible charter operations, and aerial access to Northland attractions.

Salt Air began operations in December 1992 as a family aviation business founded by Grant Harnish. Its first service was scenic flying around the Bay of Islands from the Paihia waterfront, using a Grumman Widgeon seaplane. The initial operation grew during its first season, encouraging the company to establish a more permanent base in Paihia and to build its head office at the seaplane ramp. The operator then expanded into land-based aircraft services from Haruru Falls and Kerikeri. These aircraft supported sightseeing excursions to Cape Reinga, with flights landing at Waitiki Landing and passengers continuing by van to Cape Reinga and the Te Paki Sand Dunes. This combination of air transport and ground touring allowed Salt Air to serve visitors seeking access to Northland’s most distant attractions. In 2008, the company acquired a Gippsland GA-8 Airvan for the Cape Reinga operation, which was described as running twice daily in summer and daily in winter. Salt Air added helicopters in 2001. Helicopter activity included scenic flights over the Bay of Islands and charter services, broadening the company beyond fixed-wing sightseeing. The operator also developed a role in wider North Island charter aviation, serving different airports according to customer requirements. LongRanger helicopters were additionally used for firefighting, demonstrating the company’s involvement in operational aviation work outside tourism. A major strategic development was the launch of Salt Air Xpress. In 2007, Salt Air purchased a Cessna Caravan for a scheduled route linking Whangarei with Auckland’s North Shore Aerodrome. The service was integrated with a van connection using the Northern Busway, offering onward access toward central Auckland. Kerikeri was added to the service in mid-2008. Despite reported success, Salt Air sold the Xpress operation to Flight Hauraki in 2012 to simplify and focus its business. The last Salt Air service ran on 31 October 2012, and the Cessna Caravan was removed from the fleet. After leaving scheduled regional flying, Salt Air continued as a Bay of Islands-based scenic-flight, helicopter, and charter operator. Its main activity remained connected with Paihia, Kerikeri, Waitiki Landing, and other North Island aviation destinations. The company’s historical development reflects a progression from a single-seaplane sightseeing business into a diversified regional aviation operator, while retaining a strong connection to Northland tourism.

• 2012

  Scheduled Xpress service transferred

  [1]Salt Airen.wikipedia.org

  Salt Air sells the Xpress operation to Flight Hauraki. The final Salt Air service operates on 31 October, and the Cessna Caravan leaves the fleet.

• 2008

  Kerikeri is added to the Xpress network

  [1]Salt Airen.wikipedia.org

  Salt Air extends its scheduled regional service to Kerikeri.

• 2008

  GA-8 Airvan acquired for Cape Reinga tours

  [1]Salt Airen.wikipedia.org

  A Gippsland GA-8 Airvan is added for flights to Waitiki Landing supporting Cape Reinga and Te Paki Sand Dunes tours.

• 2007

  Salt Air Xpress launches

  [1]Salt Airen.wikipedia.org

  The company acquires a Cessna Caravan for scheduled service between Whangarei and Auckland’s North Shore Aerodrome, supported by a connecting van service.

• 2001

  Helicopter operations begin

  [1]Salt Airen.wikipedia.org

  Salt Air introduces helicopters for Bay of Islands scenic flights and charter work.

• 1992

  Salt Air is established

  [1]Salt Airen.wikipedia.org

  Grant Harnish establishes the family aviation business in December, initially operating scenic flights from the Paihia waterfront with a Grumman Widgeon seaplane.

A regional New Zealand aviation and tourism operator focused on scenic access to the Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga, complemented by helicopter and aircraft charter services.

• Scenic aviation · 1992

  Bay of Islands scenic flights

  Salt Air’s original offering consists of sightseeing flights over the Bay of Islands, launched from the Paihia waterfront. The service began with a Grumman Widgeon seaplane and established the company’s identity as a tourism-focused regional aviation operator.

• Helicopter aviation · 2001

  Helicopter scenic flights and charters

  Introduced in 2001, Salt Air’s helicopter activities include sightseeing over the Bay of Islands and charter flying. The company has also used LongRanger helicopters for firefighting assignments, extending the aircraft’s use beyond passenger tourism.

• Tourism aviation

  Cape Reinga air tours

  Salt Air operates or has operated air tours to Waitiki Landing for visits to Cape Reinga and the Te Paki Sand Dunes. The itinerary combines a flight to the northern part of Northland with a road-based tour from the airstrip to the attractions.

• Scheduled regional air service · 2007

  Salt Air Xpress

  Salt Air Xpress was the company’s former scheduled service linking Whangarei and Auckland’s North Shore Aerodrome, with Kerikeri added later. Passenger transfers were supported by Salt Air-operated vans connecting with Auckland’s Northern Busway. The operation was sold to Flight Hauraki in 2012.

• 2012

  Sale of the Salt Air Xpress operationStrategy

  Background

  Although the scheduled service was reported to have performed successfully, Salt Air decided to simplify its business and concentrate on its core aviation and tourism activities.

  Action taken

  Salt Air transferred the Xpress service to Flight Hauraki. Its final scheduled flight operated on 31 October 2012, and the Cessna Caravan was removed from the fleet.

  Aftermath

  Salt Air’s activities thereafter centered on scenic flights, helicopter operations, and charter work rather than scheduled regional air services.

  Source

• 2007

  Launch of Salt Air XpressProduct launch

  Background

  Salt Air sought to extend its regional aviation role beyond sightseeing and charter services by establishing a scheduled connection between Northland and Auckland.

  Action taken

  The company purchased a Cessna Caravan and began scheduled service between Whangarei and Auckland’s North Shore Aerodrome, later extending the service to Kerikeri.

  Aftermath

  The service was subsequently sold to Flight Hauraki in 2012 as Salt Air streamlined its operations.

  Source

1. 1Salt Airen.wikipedia.org