Tauranga airline Sunair gets preferred government air carrier status

Tauranga-based airline Sunair Aviation has become the first regional non-jet operator in the North Island to be selected as a preferred air carrier on the All of Government panel.

The airline tendered for the panel last year and after an exhaustive process was advised late last year that its application had succeeded. The new status became effective from the beginning of this month and the airline has already begun carrying government personnel.

"We're very excited about this - it's a real coup for us," said director Bev Power, who co-owns the airline with her husband Daniel, the chief executive and a certified commercial pilot and aeronautical engineer.

Last year All of Government air travel was said to be worth $223 million, split between a number of large operators. Jet Star made it on to the panel this year for the first time, but the only other regional non-jet carrier to be selected was the South Island's Picton-based Sounds Air.

New Zealand Government Procurement said suppliers on the new panel collectively provided the Government with a suitable range of services for international and domestic travel while increasing connectivity to New Zealand's regions.

"The contract complements other All of Government travel contracts... and provides flexibility, choice, and value for money for government," said NZGP.

"There was stiff competition and a number of discussions with the panel in Wellington," said Ms Power.

"Sunair Aviation's point of difference is flying region to region, offering more direct services and same-day returns. This offers time and dollar savings for our clients not going via Auckland or Wellington to reach their destinations, and often eliminates overnight accommodation costs and inconvenience."

The company expected the government contracts could lift overall revenue by up to 20 per cent. Ms Power said she was working closely with the panel on marketing and promoting its selection and had been busy over the past month setting up new accounts.

Sunair Aviation flew regularly to Auckland. It also had aircraft and pilots stationed in both Gisborne and Hamilton, with its regular passenger load including doctors and patients for Waikato Hospital. The company was planning to increase its scheduled services to include flights from Whangarei to Hamilton, Rotorua and Tauranga.

Sunair Aviation

-The fleet includes: 10 twin engine Piper Aztecs, which can take six passengers, and four single-engined aircraft for training purposes.