The Origins and Growth of Sunair Aviation
Sunair Aviation Ltd is a proudly privately owned and operated New Zealand business with a rich history of over 30 years in the aviation industry. Our commitment to safety, reliability, and exceptional service has been at the core of our operations, allowing us to grow from humble beginnings to become a key player in regional air transport.
Our Journey Began with One Aircraft Sunair started as a commuter service to Motiti Island in the Bay of Plenty, operating with just a single aircraft. Since then, we have expanded our fleet to include both twin-engine and single-engine aeroplanes, offering a wider range of services to meet the diverse needs of our customers. Today, Sunair is a fully licensed Regional Air Transport Operator, providing scheduled flights between 8 provincial cities, scenic tours, charter flights, and an extensive flight training program.
Safety and Expertise You Can Trust Like major airlines such as Air New Zealand, Sunair Aviation is subject to rigorous annual audits by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority. These audits cover every aspect of safety and maintenance, ensuring that we continue to meet the highest industry standards. Our senior management team, with decades of combined experience in the aviation sector, provides expert oversight of our daily operations, ensuring a smooth and safe journey for all passengers.
Expanding Our Reach Across New Zealand While Sunair Aviation is based at Tauranga City Airport, we have additional crew bases in Great Barrier Island, Hamilton, and Whangarei, enabling us to serve a wide geographical area. Our route network includes:
Gisborne
Great Barrier Island
Hamilton
Napier
Tauranga
Wairoa
Whangarei
Whitianga
These routes provide essential travel links across the upper North Island, allowing passengers to avoid busy hubs like Auckland or Wellington and travel directly between provincial centres. For business professionals and medical personnel, this offers the convenience of same-day travel without the need for costly overnight stays. Sunair is particularly proud to support the Northland community by providing daily transport for essential medical staff between Whangarei and Kaitaia.
A Legacy of Safe and Reliable Air Travel Sunair Aviation operates approximately 4,000 departures annually, and to date, our fleet has accumulated over 60,000 flying hours. We are proud to serve more than 2,000 regular customers and agents who rely on our services for business, personal, and medical travel needs. As we continue to grow, our commitment to safe, efficient, and flexible air travel remains at the forefront of everything we do
