Air Safaris History

Air Safaris commenced operations in 1970 based at Mesopotamia, a well known High Country sheep station in the Rangitata Valley. The fledgling company gained an Air Service Charter and Scenic Flying Licence and for three years operated three passenger Cessna 180 aircraft, transporting and guiding trampers, fishermen, hunters, photographers and sightseers into the remote areas of the Aoraki Mount Cook region.In 1973 the company purchased its own brand new aircraft, a 5 passenger Cessna 185, and the scenic flying side of the operation was expanded to introduce the Grand Traverse flight for visitors at Lake Tekapo using a short grass airstrip courtesy of the Mount John sheep station.

Moving from the original Tekapo airstrip in 1975 Air Safaris established a the Lake Tekapo aerodrome complete with sealed runway, hangarage for the aircraft, and passenger facilities.  A brand new five passenger Cessna 206 was purchased followed by another in 1976 bringing capacity up to 15 passengers.  In 1978 in the first of many pioneering changes to New Zealand scenic aviation, Air Safaris introduced the Swiss built Pilatus Turbo Porter, a turbo prop short takeoff and landing machine carrying up to 10 passengers.  This milestone set the scene for larger, quieter turbine powered aircraft in a continuing effort to carry more passengers with fewer aircraft movements with the minimum noise impact in the alpine areas.

During 1981 the company introduced the Australian built GAF Nomad, bringing yet another new class of aircraft to scenic operations in the Mount Cook area.  Carrying up to 15 passengers this twin turbo prop became the mainstay of the Air Safaris operation.  Carrying the equivalent of three smaller aircraft, the larger and extremely quiet Nomad was another major step in minimising congestion and noise in the environmentally sensitive alpine regions.

With the extended capability of the Nomad aircraft the company entered into contracts to provide a back up service on South Island routes for major air carriers and in 1991 commenced operating a scheduled service between Timaru and Christchurch in the Air Nelson and Air New Zealand Link network.  In 1995 Air Safaris purchased the Franz Josef based company Westair and established a West Coast base, developing a sealed runway which became the new Franz Josef aerodrome.

In 2000 Air Safaris introduced larger, quieter aircraft and operational procedures to minimise noise impact, Air Safaris continued to be active in promoting environmental awareness in aircraft operations. New branding was launched in 2002 and both the Lake Tekapo and Franz Josef offices were modernised.

In 2009 a new turbocharged GA8 Airvan was purchased to add to the three normally aspirated Airvans operated by Air Safaris.  The turbocharged GA8 is the first to be operated in New Zealand and is fitted with a three bladed prop which will assist in reducing the noise footprint of the Air Safaris fleet.