What Heli Glenorchy does

Heli Glenorchy (legally Action Helicopters Ltd) is a privately held, locally owned New Zealand helicopter operator based at the Glenorchy Airstrip, at the gateway to Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks. The company runs a diversified aviation business across four pillars: (1) scheduled and private scenic flights over the Southern Alps, Milford Sound, and the Earnslaw Burn basin, ranging from a 20-minute Alpine Express (NZD $275) to multi-hour private charters; (2) premium experiential packages such as Chef in the Wilderness and Glenorchy Peaks to Paradise that bundle helicopter access with gourmet dining, hiking, and jet-boat partners; (3) commercial aviation services for agriculture, forestry, conservation, construction crane/long-lining, search and rescue, and aerial firefighting as a FENZ-approved operator; and (4) weddings, corporate/MICE, and a B2B trade partner program for travel agents and inbound tour operators. Its fleet comprises Airbus H125 (AS350 B3 Squirrel), BK117 twin-engine, AS355 NP, H130, and EC130 helicopters, supported by a CAA-certified Safety Management System, NVG firefighting equipment, and Human External Cargo capability.

The company makes money primarily through per-transaction pricing for scenic flights and per-charter pricing for private and commercial work, with all prices quoted in NZD inclusive of GST and reviewed annually. Distribution is hybrid: direct-to-consumer via website (Rezdy), phone, walk-in bookings, and a complimentary Queenstown shuttle; channel sales through an established trade network of agents, luxury lodges, and OTAs; and enterprise/direct field sales for corporate and government accounts including DOC and FENZ. Its customer base is geographically diversified within NZ tourism, with international inbound demand sourced through digital channels (TripAdvisor, Google, Instagram) and trade partners. Heli Glenorchy is led by CEO Nick (8,300+ flight hours), Chief Pilot Jacko (9,000+ hours), and a small management team; the legal entity is Action Helicopters Ltd, with the company appearing to sit within a broader aviation group alongside sister brands Heliworks Queenstown and Fiordland Helicopters. No external funding rounds, parent company, or institutional ownership have been disclosed.

Name

Heli Glenorchy

Legal name

Action Helicopters Ltd

Website

https://heliglenorchy.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Heli Glenorchy is a privately held New Zealand helicopter operator based at Glenorchy Airstrip, offering scenic flights, private charters, commercial aviation, and premium experiences across the Southern Alps and Fiordland for tourists, corporates, and government clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Helicopter Scenic and Charter Services

NAICS

Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219)

akta.pro primary industry

Helicopter Sightseeing & Scenic Tours (TLAFACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

On-Demand Helicopter Charter (Private/Corporate) (TLAFACAB), VIP/Executive Helicopter Transport (THABAGAH), Helicopter Pilgrimage & Special-Route Passenger Services (TLAFACAK), Helicopter Resort & Remote Destination Transfers (TLAFACAF)

Keywords

• Scenic helicopter tours
• Helicopter charter services
• Alpine aerial adventures
• Aerial firefighting operations
• Helicopter commercial lifting

Headquarters

HQ city

Glenorchy

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Scenic Helicopter Flights: Per-person pricing for shared scenic flights ranging from 20-minute Alpine Express ($275) to 4-hour Milford Sound Heli-Cruise-Heli ($1,350). Includes glacier landings, snow landings, heli-hikes, and combo experiences with jet boating.
2. Private Helicopter Charters: Exclusive helicopter charters for groups up to 6 passengers (Squirrel) or 9 passengers (BK117). Pricing from $1,375 (Alpine Express) to $17,865 (Chef in the Wilderness luxury experience).
3. Commercial Helicopter Services: Farming and conservation services including tree logging, aerial surveying, weed/pest control, frost protection, animal mustering, fire support, personnel transport, and crane/lifting services for construction.
4. Crane and Heavy Lifting Services: Heavy lifting, long-lining and precision placement services including aerial concrete pouring, building material placement, and sluicing rock.
5. Firefighting Services: Aerial firefighting suppression and ground crew transport as FENZ-approved operator with specialized firefighting equipment.
6. Search and Rescue Operations: Support for local Search and Rescue team with aerial searches, personnel transport, and high-risk extractions in remote terrain.
7. Wedding and Romance Services: Helicopter weddings, elopements, proposals, and wedding day services including scenic flights, photography locations, and multi-location ceremonies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Heli Glenorchy operates scenic helicopter flights, private charters, and commercial helicopter services from its base at Glenorchy Airstrip in New Zealand's Southern Alps. The company sells per-person scenic flights (20-minute to 4-hour experiences) over Milford Sound, Fiordland, and Earnslaw Burn, plus private charters, weddings and elopements, and B2B commercial operations including crane/lifting, firefighting (FENZ-approved), search and rescue, and farming/forestry services.

Product overview

Heli Glenorchy is a premier, locally owned helicopter company operating from Glenorchy, New Zealand, at the gateway to Fiordland and the Southern Alps. The company offers a diversified portfolio of scenic flight experiences ranging from 20-minute Alpine Express flights to multi-hour premium experiences. Core scenic products include the Earnslaw Burn Encounter, Earnslaw Burn Heli Hike, Glenorchy Glacier Express, Glacier Expedition, and various Milford Sound flights (Milford Panoramic, Milford Alps to Ocean, Milford Sound Heli-Cruise-Heli), plus Mount Alfred experiences (Picnic, Heli Hike). Premium offerings include Chef in the Wilderness (gourmet dining) and Glenorchy Peaks to Paradise (private charter with jet boat). The company also operates commercial services (Crane, Firefighting, Search and Rescue, Farming and Conservation), corporate services (Conferences & Incentives), and a B2B Trade Partner Program. The fleet includes Airbus H125 Squirrel, Kawasaki BK117 twin-engine, Airbus AS355 NP, Airbus H130, and Airbus EC130 helicopters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Earnslaw Burn Encounter Flagship scenic helicopter flight departing Glenorchy, flying over high-country stations and Mount Earnslaw with close-range flyover of the hanging Earnslaw Glacier, culminating in a valley floor landing at the exclusive Earnslaw Burn basin. For leisure tourists.
• Earnslaw Burn Heli-Hike Guided heli-hike adventure combining helicopter flight with guided trek through Earnslaw Valley, traversing glacier-fed rivers and alpine meadows, with artisan picnic lunch and glacier viewing. For active leisure tourists.
• Glenorchy Glacier Express 40-minute scenic flight with glacier landing experience over Lake Whakatipu and Mount Aspiring National Park, offering views of alpine lakes, waterfalls, and pristine glacial terrain. For leisure tourists.
• Glacier Expedition 80-minute expedition viewing five glaciers (Rob Roy, Bonar, Dart, Snowball, Snowwhite) with 10-minute Tyndall Glacier landing and 15-minute lakeside landing at Lochnagar Lake. For leisure tourists.
• Milford Alps to Ocean 75-minute flight from alpine peaks to wild West Coast beach, including remote beach landing and alpine landing with views over Dart River and Lake Whakatipu. For leisure tourists.
• Pure Fiordland 2-hour private wilderness adventure with three landing sites including alpine, lake, and exclusive Earnslaw Burn, flying over Lake Quill, Sutherland Falls, and Milford Track. For premium leisure tourists.
• Milford Panoramic 50-minute scenic flight to Milford Sound with aerial views of Northern Fiordland forests, alpine lakes, and Mitre Peak, including alpine terrain landing. For leisure tourists.
• Milford Sound Heli-Cruise-Heli 4-hour combined helicopter and fiord cruise experience departing Glenorchy, with aerial views of Richardson Mountain Range, Milford Sound, and Mitre Peak, plus cruise with wildlife viewing. For leisure tourists.
• Alpine Express 20-minute scenic flight with Humboldt Mountains alpine landing, offering aerial views over Lake Whakatipu and high-country vistas. Entry-level scenic product for tourists.

Quantifiable outcome

• 780+ positive reviews across Google and TripAdvisor with Excellent ratings

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Southern Lakes SanctuarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partnership supporting predator-free havens for native species. Heli Glenorchy provides helicopter transport for Sanctuary staff to access remote areas for predator trapping and conservation work. Customers may meet conservation teams during scenic flights.
• Department of Conservation (DOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated DOC partner for Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks. Helicopter services include transporting personnel and supplies to remote areas, ecological surveys, and endangered species protection including takahē releases in Rees Valley.
• Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproved FENZ operator for aerial firefighting and emergency response. B3 Squirrel helicopters equipped with 1200L Simplex Fire Bombing tank, cloudburst and Red-One fire buckets. Staff includes FENZ volunteers trained as firefighters, Air Support Supervisors, and Medical Responders.
• Pyke Conservation SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported Olivine Hut rebuild project by providing helicopter services at significantly discounted rates for transporting supplies and materials to the remote Hollyford River location.
• Whakatipu Reforestation TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership for local planting days. Heli Glenorchy team participates in native tree planting to enhance biodiversity of the Whakatipu region.
• Bee The ChangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental sustainability partnership. Heli Glenorchy sponsors a beehive in the Queenstown Botanical Gardens to support bee populations and global food systems through pollination.
• Uplift in KindminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable partnership providing uplifting aviation experiences to individuals and families facing hardship who might not otherwise have the opportunity to fly.
• Sunshine WeddingsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWedding planner partner for helicopter weddings. Provides imagery and coordinates elopement and wedding photography services.
• Wildly RomanticminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWedding planner and celebrant partner. Provides wedding photography, videography, and coordination services for helicopter weddings.
• Mrs Woolly's General StoreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal Glenorchy business providing catering for Glenorchy Essentials Combo experience. Customers enjoy refreshments at Mrs Woolly's between helicopter and jet boat portions of the tour.
• Dart River Wilderness JetminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExperience partner for Glenorchy Essentials Combo and Peaks to Paradise. Provides 2-hour jet boat journey through Dart River braided rivers and Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area.
• Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrade association membership for tourism industry operators in New Zealand.
• Tourism Export Council (TEC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrade association membership for tourism export businesses in New Zealand.
• Tourism New ZealandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational tourism marketing body providing Qualmark certification and marketing support for certified operators.
• QualmarkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNew Zealand tourism certification body providing Gold Sustainable Tourism rating for Heli Glenorchy, verifying quality and sustainability standards.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fiordland Helicopters: Te Anau-based helicopter operator offering scenic flights, hunting, fishing, and commercial services into Fiordland National Park. Identified in the data as a sister brand, with overlapping product mix, geography, and customer base.
• Southern Lakes Helicopters: Queenstown-based helicopter operator offering scenic flights, glacier landings, and Milford Sound transfers. Direct competitor serving the same tourism corridor with overlapping trade partner relationships.
• The Helicopter Line: One of New Zealand's largest helicopter tourism operators, offering scenic flights from Queenstown, Mt Cook, Franz Josef, and other South Island bases. Direct competitor on core scenic product with similar trade partner programs and shared customer demographics.
• Over The Top Helicopters: NZ helicopter tour operator with Queenstown and other South Island bases offering scenic and commercial flights. Direct peer on tourism segment with similar customer base and product mix.
• Heliworks Queenstown: Direct NZ helicopter tourism operator based in Queenstown offering scenic flights, glacier landings, and commercial services. Mentioned in the data as a sister brand sharing team (Director Blair has 6 years at Heliworks), making it a directly comparable peer with overlapping fleet and routes.
• Mt Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters: NZ aviation operator offering ski plane and helicopter scenic flights including glacier landings at Aoraki Mt Cook. Direct peer on glacier and alpine scenic experiences, serving similar international tourism segments.
• Mount Hutt Helicopters: South Island helicopter operator offering scenic, hunting, and commercial services from Canterbury region. Comparable on multi-segment business model (scenic + commercial) and similar fleet profile.
• Glacier Helicopters: Franz Josef-based helicopter operator specialising in glacier scenic flights and snow landings. Direct peer on glacier landing experiences and similar pricing tiers, with comparable fleet profile.

Broad incumbents

• Inflite Charters NZ: Broader helicopter and aviation services group (Inflite Chard/Inflite Experiences) with NZ and Australia operations. Larger incumbent offering scenic, charter, and commercial services across wider geographies.

Emerging players

• Wanaka Helicopters: Wanaka-based helicopter operator offering scenic flights, glacier landings and commercial services. Operates in a nearby South Island region with overlapping glacier and alpine experiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/heliglenorchy
• Instagraminstagram.com/heliglenorchy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/experience-glenorchy-limited

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Heli Glenorchy