The New Zealand Airline Academy began operating in Whanganui at the start of 2026. Photo / Mike Tweed
Whanganui’s newest airport user is “scaling up”, as it plans an exit from its founding base in Ōamaru.
New Zealand Airline Academy Ltd (NZAAL) took over former New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy (NZICPA) facilities in Whanganui at the start of the year.
It has been operating two bases – Ōamaru and Whanganui – but Waitaki District Council announced this week that NZAAL would not be renewing its lease.
In a statement on May 15, the council said it proposed a fixed fee of $151,488 for up to 60,000 movements, a 25% discount on standard aeronautical fees.
But NZAAL wanted a fixed fee of $500 per student for 200 students, a small increase on what it currently paid, “but not reflective of increased movements and the impact on and cost to the airport”.
It also wanted no restriction on night flying and no restriction on the number of planes in the air, the council said.
“NZAAL rejected [the] council’s proposal and notified us of their intention to depart the airport.”
NZAAL director Celroy Mascarenhas said the company was still negotiating an end date with Waitaki District Council, but it would probably be this year.
“We’ve always mentally prepared ourselves that Whanganui would be our main base,” he said.
“It has been set up to host a large flight training organisation.
“The lease over here [Whanganui] is substantial, but that’s because of the fact it’s a large facility that can accommodate a lot of students.”
The Chronicle reported in November 2025 that Whanganui District Council, the sole shareholder of the NZICPA, would lease its facilities to NZAAL for around $829,000 per year.
The NZICPA, currently operating from the Wanganui Aero Club, will close by the end of June with a predicted loss of around $11 million.
Mascarenhas said because of confidentiality agreements, he could not comment on whether NZAAL had a rent-free period at the Whanganui Airport or on the discount it received on aeronautical fees.
“Basically, we’ve got a bulk landing fee [payment agreement].
“Whanganui council has not gone out of its way to offer us any extra special deals.
“We’ve not pursued that either, because we see the value in the facility. It’s a Rolls Royce facility.”
In a statement, Whanganui District Council chief executive Doug Tate said the council appreciated there was “strong public interest in AAL’s presence” at the airport.
“While we’re not able to go into the specific commercial details of the agreement with Whanganui District Council, the arrangement does enable the ongoing use of the airfield following the wind‑down of NZICPA’s operations," he said.
Mascarenhas told the Chronicle last October that NZAAL’s initial lease was for 10 years, followed by three five-year options.
An April report from Whanganui Airport chief executive Sarah O’Hagan said NZAAL had recorded 6022 aircraft movements from January 1 to March 31, 33% of the airport’s total over that period.
The NZICPA was at 8206, 45% of the total.
“Aircraft movement numbers are anticipated to climb still further once NZAAL commence night flying training in May [2026] as this will coincide with their next tranche of students beginning their flying training,” it said.
Mascarenhas said NZAAL could reach full capacity in Whanganui by the end of the year, with close to 200 students.
“As we are scaling up, NZICPA scales down. It reduces the complexity at the airport.
“Jonathan [Manuel, fellow director] was part of the Government delegation that went to India to sign the free trade agreement, but he also attended a few seminars with students.
“He said the demand [for pilots] was so massive, even if we had other bases, they would all be full.”
NZAAL was in discussions with three other councils about setting up another base, and in Whanganui, there was the possibility of building an additional hanger, he said.
“That will probably happen, just not yet.”
Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe said in a statement that the airport was an important community asset, and there were strategic commercial sensitivities around some of its operations, including arrangements with NZAAL.
“Those need to be managed with the district’s long-term interests in mind,” he said.
“Our focus is on making sure the airport is an active and valuable asset for the district, and one our community can continue to feel positive about.”
Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.