The approval replaces a longstanding restriction that limited Navair to four charter flights into New Zealand per year, with a minimum 28-day separation between flights. Navair can now operate into New Zealand on demand, with no restriction on frequency.
The FAOC permits Navair to operate into 13 approved New Zealand aerodromes – Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, Christchurch, Hamilton, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Nelson, Dunedin and Invercargill.
For clients travelling between Australia and New Zealand, this removes a key planning constraint, with charter flights previously needing to be scheduled well in advance to work within the annual allocation.
The approval comes as Navair expands its fleet, with the recent addition of Pilatus PC-24 aircraft, and further additions planned.
Rick Pegus, CEO of Navair, says the certificate represents a step forward for the business and its New Zealand-bound clients.
‘For a long time, we were working around a hard limit of four flights into New Zealand a year. It meant we were often planning trans-Tasman charters months in advance rather than being able to book clients when they needed us on short notice,’ Pegus says.
‘We can now fly into New Zealand as often as our clients need, across 13 aerodromes across the country. It’s a significant shift for the business, allowing us to offer the same flexibility on trans-Tasman routes that we’ve built our reputation on in Australia.”
Flights on Navair across the Tasman are now available to be booked.
