Southern flightseeing operation spreads its wings

A new flightseeing aircraft that delivers sustainable practice innovation and increased passenger comfort is the final purchase in a six-year fleet upgrade for a one of New Zealand’s largest scenic flight airlines.

Central South Island based Air Safaris has invested $800,000 in New Zealand’s first brand new turbocharged Gippsland GA8 Airvan, an eight-seat Australian-built aircraft.

The company chose the Airvan because of its environmentally-friendly innovations and performance advances, while at the same time achieving the very highest levels of comfort and visibility for its sightseeing customers.

The inaugural commercial flight was on Monday (9 November) and the 50-minute return flight between Lake Tekapo and Franz Josef Glacier over some of the South Island’s most striking scenery drew an “Awesome!” verdict from the seven passengers on board.

Air Safaris has operated scenic flights over some of New Zealand’s most stunning scenery since 1970 and has become an industry leader in introducing new and larger aircraft such as the turboprop Pilatus Turbo Porter, the twin turboprop Nomads, the turboprop Cessna Grand Caravan and the Gippsland Airvans.

Its scenic flights have proven so popular that the company has grown from a single aircraft operation to a 10-strong fleet in the last 39 years and now has its own airports at Lake Tekapo and Franz Josef Glacier, and a base at Glentanner Park near Aoraki Mount Cook.

For more information about Air Safaris visit www.airsafaris.co.nz.