Air Safaris

What Air Safaris does

Air Safaris (& Services (NZ) Ltd) is a family-owned scenic flightseeing operator founded in 1970 and headquartered at Lake Tekapo in New Zealand's South Island. The company flies an 8-aircraft fleet — Cessna Grand Caravans, GA8 Airvans, and a Bell 206L3 Longranger helicopter — from two purpose-built airports it owns at Lake Tekapo and Franz Josef, with a third operations point at Glentanner/Mount Cook. Core products center on the flagship 50-minute Grand Traverse fixed-wing flight ($495 adult) and a tiered helicopter portfolio ranging from a 15-minute Tekapo Highlights flight ($290) to a 60-minute Mt Cook Franz & Fox Magic with snow landing ($850), plus Milford Sound excursions, trans-divide scenic transfers, and charter services.

Revenue is generated entirely through per-passenger ticket sales, package bookings, and commercial aviation services (aerial photography, survey, freight, remote access). The customer base is predominantly international and domestic tourists seeking alpine sightseeing, supplemented by niche segments including wedding/engagement helicopter packages, educational groups, and commercial media clients. The company runs a direct-to-consumer booking platform (apps6.tflite.com), accepts walk-in traffic at airport bases, and supports travel-agent bookings with a refund-coordination flow. Multi-language capability (English, Chinese, Japanese website; seven-language in-flight commentary) and a Chinese/Japanese-speaking pilot indicate deliberate targeting of Asian inbound tourism.

Operationally, Air Safaris runs 364 days per year (closed only on Christmas Day) and achieves ~85% operational days during the October–April peak season. The firm has accumulated formal certifications — NZCAA Part 135/125 Airline Operator, Qualmark Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award, and Enviro Gold — and works with the Department of Conservation on GNSS-tracked soundscape management. Three generations of the Rayward family are involved in the business, including founder/CEO Richard Rayward (flying since 1965) and Operations Manager Tim Rayward. No external investors, parent company, or public financial disclosure is present.

Name

Air Safaris

Legal name

Air Safaris & Services (NZ) Ltd

Website

https://airsafaris.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scenic Flight Tourism

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487), Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Scenic/Tour & Aerial Sightseeing Flights (TLAFABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Helicopter Sightseeing & Scenic Tours (TLAFACAD), Scenic & Sightseeing Helicopter Tours (THABAGAE)

Keywords

• Scenic flight tours
• Helicopter sightseeing flights
• Fixed-wing scenic flights
• Alpine tourism flights
• Aerial commercial services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Tekapo

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Scenic Flight Tickets: Per-person ticket sales for fixed-wing and helicopter scenic flights. Major products include Grand Traverse (50-min fixed wing) at $495 adults, helicopter flights ranging from $290 (15-min Tekapo Highlights) to $850 (60-min Mt Cook Franz & Fox Magic). Prices vary by flight duration, aircraft type, and whether snow/alpine landings are included.
2. Wedding and Photography Packages: Helicopter wedding and engagement packages including photography sessions at exclusive alpine locations. Wedding packages range from $1,795 to $1,995 total for photography sessions with helicopter transfers and ground time.
3. Commercial Aviation Services: Services including aerial photography, filming, aerial survey, air freight/cargo transport, and remote access operations using both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
4. Charter Flights: Flexible charter services connecting destinations including Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wanaka with scenic flight components. Pricing based on route, passenger count, and baggage weight.
5. Gift Vouchers: Gift vouchers for scenic flight experiences valid for one year from purchase date, allowing recipients to book their preferred flight experience.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Air Safaris operates fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter scenic flightseeing tours from Lake Tekapo and Franz Josef, showcasing Aoraki Mt Cook, the Tasman, Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, and surrounding Southern Alps landscapes. The company sells per-person tickets for set flight routes as well as charter, wedding, education, and commercial aviation services including aerial photography, aerial survey, air freight and remote access, complemented by gift vouchers and combo packages with stargazing and farm tours.

Product overview

Air Safaris is a New Zealand scenic flightseeing company operating since 1970, offering both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter scenic flights from Lake Tekapo and Franz Josef bases. The core product portfolio centers on The Grand Traverse, a flagship 50-minute fixed-wing flight exploring Aoraki Mt Cook and glaciers, complemented by helicopter options ranging from 15-minute local flights to 60-minute glacier experiences with snow landings. Additional offerings include Milford Sound excursions, combo packages with star gazing or farm tours, wedding/engagement helicopter services, educational tours, and commercial aviation services including aerial photography, survey, freight, and remote access. The company operates a fleet of Cessna Grand Caravan, GA8 Airvan, and Bell 206L3 Longranger aircraft from purpose-built airports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Grand Traverse Flagship 50-minute fixed-wing scenic plane flight exploring Aoraki Mt Cook, Tasman Glacier, Franz Josef and Fox glaciers up close from individual window seats, departing from Lake Tekapo or Franz Josef. Adults $495, Children (3-13) $395 per person.
• Aoraki Mt Cook Franz & Fox Magic 60-minute helicopter flight with snow landing at Liebig Dome (7,700 feet), combining views of Aoraki Mt Cook with Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. Adults $850, Children $680, Infants $395 per person.
• Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Grandeur 45-minute helicopter flight with snow landing exploring remote alpine valleys and glaciers near Aoraki Mt Cook. Adults $625, Children $500, Infants $295 per person.
• Mackenzie Explorer 30-minute helicopter flight with alpine or snow landing at a local sheep station, the most popular helicopter flight showcasing Lake Tekapo and surrounding mountains. Adults $395, Children $315, Infants $195 per person.
• Tekapo Highlights 15-minute helicopter flight offering an affordable aerial tour of Lake Tekapo with beautiful lake and mountain views. Adults $290, Children $230, Infants $140 per person.
• Milford Sound Excursion 2.5-hour scenic flight departing Lake Tekapo or Franz Josef with landing at Milford Sound, either direct or via Aoraki Mt Cook and glaciers. Direct: Adults $1,250; via Mt Cook: Adults $1,500. Minimum 4 passengers for via route.
• Weddings & Engagements Private helicopter flights to exclusive alpine locations for wedding ceremonies, engagement proposals, and photography packages at Lake Tekapo. Wedding packages NZ$1,795 to NZ$1,995; Engagement package NZ$1,595 including helicopter transfer and 45 minutes ground time.
• Grand Traverse & Star Gazing Combo Combined scenic flight experience with Tekapo Stargazing guided evening tour, including telescope viewing and optional hot pools under the stars.
• Grand Traverse & Farm Tour Combo package including 50-minute Grand Traverse scenic flight plus 1-hour authentic high-country Merino sheep farming experience at Mt Hay Station.
• Winter Sunset Flights Exclusive chartered plane flight for up to 6 passengers during winter months (May-August), offering sunset views over Mt Cook and West Coast. $2,250 total.
• Trans-Divide Scenic Flights Half-day return flights crossing the Southern Alps Main Divide between Lake Tekapo and Franz Josef, saving 6+ hours of driving. Adults $795, Children $650. Minimum 4 passengers.
• Educational Flight Tours Aerial geography and geology educational tours for school and university students exploring the Mackenzie Basin, Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, and Westland National Parks. Programs can be customized to curriculum objectives.
• Scenic Charter Flights Flexible charter service allowing customization of routes to destinations including Milford Sound, Queenstown, Wanaka, Christchurch and beyond. Pricing based on route, passenger count, and baggage weight.
• Aerial Photography & Filming Professional aerial photography and filming services using fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft with door-open operations for film productions, magazines, TV, and news.
• Aerial Survey Land and offshore aerial survey operations using various aircraft types from single-engine to multi-engine turboprop, with excellent durability and operational speeds.
• Air Freight / Cargo Transport Cargo transport services using Cessna Grand Caravan for large loads or combined personnel/cargo roles, and GA8 Airvan fleet for loads up to 550kg.
• Remote Access Helicopter services for remote area access in the Mackenzie Basin and beyond using Bell 206L3, transporting 4-5 passengers and equipment to remote locations.
• Gift Vouchers Gift certificates for scenic flight experiences including Grand Traverse and helicopter options, valid for one year from purchase.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% operational days during peak season (October-April)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Department of Conservation (DOC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on soundscape management and conservation of Aorearoa/New Zealand's natural soundscapes. Aircraft fitted with DOC soundscape management GNSS spatial tracking devices. Partnership supports world-leading work in preserving tranquil places in national parks.
• Mackenzie TourismminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClose working relationship with local tourism organization. Active engagement in promoting the Mackenzie Region as a tourism destination.
• Tourism New ZealandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerActive engagement with Tourism New Zealand, New Zealand's national tourism marketing organization, for promotion of New Zealand as a visitor destination.
• Tourism Industry AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of Tourism Industry Association, New Zealand's peak body for tourism operators.
• Tekapo Business and Promotion AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsorship of local events, fundraising donations, local resident rates, and flight familiarization for key staff. Community involvement supporting Lake Tekapo region.
• Tekapo StargazingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Grand Traverse & Stargazing combo packages combining scenic flights with stargazing experiences at Lake Tekapo's dark sky reserve. Joint packages offered as 'Soak in the Stars' and 'Scope at the Stars' options.
• Go Tekapo / Mount Hay StationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Grand Traverse & Farm Tour combo packages combining scenic flights with authentic high-country merino sheep farming experiences at Mt Hay Station.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves1 record

Regional players

• Wanaka Helicopters: Scenic and private helicopter operator based in Wanaka offering alpine and glacier experiences in the Southern Lakes region. Comparable helicopter flightseeing model but based in a different South Island hub than Air Safaris' Tekapo/Franz Josef focus.
• Over The Top Helicopters: NZ helicopter scenic flight operator offering glacier, alpine and custom flights including wedding packages. Comparable product mix, but smaller scale and geographically distinct from Air Safaris' core Tekapo/Franz Josef bases.
• Garden City Helicopters: Christchurch-based helicopter operator providing scenic, charter, and commercial services on NZ's South Island. Comparable helicopter charter and aerial work capabilities to Air Safaris but anchored in Christchurch rather than the alpine tourist hubs.
• Southern Lakes Helicopters: Queenstown/Wanaka-based scenic helicopter operator offering alpine, glacier and Milford Sound routes. Comparable flightseeing product but serving primarily the Queenstown-Wakatipu market rather than Tekapo/Franz Josef corridor.

Direct peers

• The Helicopter Line: New Zealand's largest helicopter scenic flight operator, offering glacier and alpine flights from Mt Cook, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Wanaka and Tekapo. Directly overlapping routes, customer base, and product (helicopter scenic + snow landings) with Air Safaris' helicopter line.
• Glacier Helicopters: Franz Josef-based helicopter scenic flight operator providing glacier and alpine experiences to the same West Coast tourist market. Direct competitor on helicopter flights and snow landings overlapping Air Safaris' West Coast product.
• Mt Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters: Operates fixed-wing ski plane and helicopter scenic flights from Mt Cook and Franz Josef over the same Aoraki Mt Cook, Tasman, Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. Closest direct competitor in the same alpine scenic flightseeing category serving the same international tourist base.
• Inflite Experiences: NZ helicopter and fixed-wing scenic operator running Mount Cook, Franz Josef, and Milford Sound flights. Overlapping product portfolio and customer segments targeting inbound tourists to the South Island alpine regions.

Others

• Tekapo Stargazing: Dark-sky astronomy experience provider at Lake Tekapo and partner of Air Safaris for the Grand Traverse & Star Gazing combo package. Comparable visitor experience customer but not a flightseeing competitor; partner rather than peer in scenic offerings.
• Grey District Tourism / Glacier Country NZ: Regional tourism organization promoting the Franz Josef and Fox Glacier area. Not a flightseeing operator but a destination marketing entity whose health directly drives demand for Air Safaris' West Coast scenic flights.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/airsafaris
• Xx.com/airsafaris
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/air-safaris

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Air Safaris