Salt Air
Encyclopedia
Salt Air is a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

 airline based in Paihia
Paihia
Paihia is the main tourist town in the Bay of Islands in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located close to the historic towns of Russell, and Kerikeri, 60 kilometres north of Whangarei. The origin of the name Paihia is obscure. One, possibily apocryphal, attribution is to...

 in the Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is an area in the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Located 60 km north-west of Whangarei, it is close to the northern tip of the country....

. The Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is an area in the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Located 60 km north-west of Whangarei, it is close to the northern tip of the country....

 is an area in the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Located 60 km north-west of Whangarei, it is close to the northern tip of the country.
It is one of the most popular fishing, sailing and tourist destinations in the country, and has been renowned internationally for its big-game fishing since American author Zane Grey publicised it in the 1930s and is magnificent are to fly over, there is no other way to truly appreciate the beauty of this area.

Salt Air also provides services in Aerial Fire fighting, commercial lifting and survey work for the local power line companies.

For those wishing to travel between Auckland, Whangarei and the Bay of Islands Salt Air offer's scheduled air services with a base at Kerikeri Airport, flights depart daily except Saturdays. In Auckland Salt Air lands at North Shore Aerodrome
North Shore Aerodrome
North Shore Aerodrome sometimes also called Dairy Flat airfield, is a small, uncontrolled aerodrome located south southwest of Silverdale, near Auckland in New Zealand's North Island.- Operational Information :*Lighting...

 and provide complimentary van shuttle transfers for pick up and drop off at Smales Farm, Takapuna and the Auckland CBD. An incredibly convenient way to travel between central Auckland/North Shore and Northland.

History

Salt Air was founded in 1992 by Grant Harnish, Salt Air operates two fixed wing aircraft based at Kerikeri airport and three helicopters based on the Paihia waterfront in the Bay of Islands.

Salt Air initially operated a Grumman Widgeon
Grumman Widgeon
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Donald, David. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1997. ISBN 0-7607-0592-5....

 seaplane from the Paihia waterfront offering scenic flights around the beautiful Bay of Islands. The business grew steadily in the first season and it was decided to make the Bay of Islands a more permanent base.

In late 1999 the 7 seat Cessna 207 was chosen to fulfil the role of giving passengers the scenic flight of a lifetime over the top section of the north Island. In December 2004 a second Cessna 207 was added to the Salt Air fleet to offer the increased capacity as demand for the tour increased.

In 2001 Salt Air introduced a helicopter to the operation. As well as offering scenic flights over the Bay of Islands from the Paihia waterfront, the helicopter is also available for charter flights to exclusive lodges, golf courses and secluded destinations in the Northland region.

Jan 2007 Bell Jetranger B206III ZK-HFE joined the Salt fleet. This later model Jetranger replaced ZK-HBC.

In Feb 2007 a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan was purchased in the United States adding to Salt Air's Fleet. This aircraft was flown by a ferry pilot across the Pacific in four separate legs to New Zealand. Santa Maria, California – Honolulu 13 hours, Honolulu – Christmas Island 7 hours, Christmas Island – Apia, Samoa 8 hours, Samoa – Kerikeri 11 Hours. Introduced to Salt Air service April 2007.

In 2008 a GA8 Airvan was purchased direct from the factory and delivered in Oct 08. This brand new aircraft replaced the older 207 aircraft which were subsequently sold.

In October 2010 Salt Air added their newest product the "Heli Cruise Island Escape" to their product line, this utilises a custom built MSA surveyed heli barge to land helicopters on and links with a custom built MSA surveyed vessel "Astrolabe II" to enable visiting tourists to fly over the beautiful Bay of Islands before landing on the floating helipad and being transferred to their own Bay for snorkelling, swimming or just relaxing and enjoying the beauty of this area. See http://www.saltair.co.nz/scenic-tours-photos/ for images of this innovative product.

In Dec 2010 an AS350 Squirrel helicopter was added to the fleet to increase fire fighting capabilities as well as providing a larger helicopter for the increased demand due to the new Heli Cruise.

Airfleet

Salt Air Fleet
Aircraft Total in Fleet Passengers Notes
Cessna 208
Cessna 208
The Cessna 208 Caravan is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft built in the United States by Cessna. The airplane typically seats nine passengers, with a single person crew, although with a FAR Part 23 waiver, it can seat up to fourteen passengers...

1 13
Gippsland GA8 Airvan 1 7
Bell Jetranger 1 4
Robinson R44
Robinson R44
|-See also:-External links:* * * * * *...

1 3
Eurocopter AS350 1 5

External links

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