Salt Air

Statement – 02 December 2011: 1000

SaltAir — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:00:55 +0000

Grant Harnish, CEO of Salt Air said:

“The small team at Salt Air is devastated at the loss on Wednesday evening of our pilot ‘Prickles’ de Ridder and DOC ranger William McRae in the accident off the Karikari Peninsula.

Click here to download the full statement

Statement – 1 December 2011: 1145hrs

SaltAir — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:51:22 +0000

Grant Harnish, CEO of Salt Air said:

“Our Squirrel AS350 BA helicopter carrying the pilot and a DOC ranger crashed into the sea about one kilometer off the northern end of Karikari Moana beach at approximately 2138 yesterday (30 November).

Click here to download the full statement.

What’s On in the Bay Of Islands for December & January?

SaltAir — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:30:38 +0000

Check out all the local events around the townships of the Bay of Islands during December 2011 and January 2012 with this events calendar you can download, just click on the link below.

There are some great events and festivities to Celebrate Christmas, the New Year and the Holiday season so make your bookings and get up to the Bay of Islands!

Click here to download the Events Calendar

The “It” Bay of Islands Food & Wine Festival

SaltAir — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:49:22 +0000

Come and wine, dine and enjoy live music from The Feelers at the 2011 “It” Festival in Paihia from 21 to 23 October. The feature event is held in the village green in central Paihia from 11am to 6pm on Saturday 22 October where you’ll enjoy a great atmosphere in the Bay of Islands with visitors building up to the Rugby World Cup Final the following day.

EARLYBIRD TICKETS – Booked by 1 August
Adult Earlybird : $35.00
Child Earlybird (5yrs to 17 yrs). Must be accompanied by an adult: $10.00
Family Pass – Earlybird (2 adults, 2 children): $85.00

STANDARD PRICE
Adult – standard price – after Earlybird closes: $45.00
Adult – Child price – (5yrs to 17 yrs). Must be accompanied by an adult: $15.00
Family Pass – not Earlybird (2 adults, 2 children): $115.00

You can buy your ticket at the Paihia i-Site located on the wharf or the Paihia Booking Office, or Anne of Craicor Kerikeri or Buy Tickets Online

Holiday Fun in the Bay of Islands

SaltAir — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 20:11:08 +0000

We’re now nearly into April and the end of summer, although we are lucky enough in the Far North of New Zealand to have a fairly temparate climate where temperatures are still mild and warm – sounds like they’ve predicted an Indian summer this year with water temperatures staying warm for swimming for another month!

So while you may think after March it’s no longer a good spot for a holiday up in the Bay of Islands, you’d be wrong! Even through winter we have plenty of events, festivals and local tourism activities that you can enjoy – including of course our scenic helicopter flights and our renowned Cape Reinga Tour.

Something to look forward to later this year in September/October is the 2011 Rugby World Cup – there will be plenty happening up here in Northland as teams are based up here for training and pool matches, plus the Bay of Islands will be packed with visitors off cruise ships and those travelling New Zealand while over here for the rugby - can’t wait!

So no matter what season it is book a holiday in the Bay of Islands, it’s awesome.

New Squirrel Helicopter for Salt Air

SaltAir — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:35:51 +0000

We’re excited about our new Squirrel helicopter, this enhances our fleet with a fantastic 5 passenger seat capacity. Passengers are seated in comfort with reconditioned leather seats, open views and air-conditioning – perfect for VIP Tours, charters, small groups and families.

The Squirrel is based at our hangar at Kerikeri airport and will be used for a mix of scenic flights and operational needs such as fire fighting. You can see the rest of our fleet information here.

Scheduled Flights from Auckland to The Bay of Islands

SaltAir — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 01:00:31 +0000

Salt Air is now well known for it’s Xpress scheduled flights between Auckland’s North Shore, Whangarei and Kerikeri. The service operates twice daily in summer and three times daily in winter, except Saturdays.

This popular service offers convenience, particularly for business travellers or day trippers with transfers to/from the Auckland CBD and Takapuna included in the fare. The key benefit that many Northland passengers appreciate is the ability to get to the Auckland CBD quickly and without extra cost that can occur when flying into Auckland’s domestic airport. North Shore residents also love the fact they can get to the Bay of Islands or Whangarei so quickly and at great value.

Salt Air Xpress Fares start from $119 each way for a 10 trip flexifare concession, or $129 early bird fare and $169 regular fare. See the timetable and Book online or call 0800 4 SALT AIR (0800 4 725 8247).

Bay of Islands Heli Cruise Island Escape on Video

SaltAir — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:41:55 +0000

Check out our video of our new Heli Cruise Island Escape product just launched.

Salt Air is Barging it’s way into Heli Cruise Island Escapes

SaltAir — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 02:39:47 +0000

An innovative new tourism product for the Bay of Islands has just been launched by Salt Air which includes a barge, a helicopter, a boat and stunning island beaches.

Salt Air have purpose built a floating heli pad barge that will be anchored out amongst the islands from Paihia. Visitors to the Bay of Islands can opt to helicopter out to the barge, then get dropped off by boat to an island of their choice to enjoy snorkelling, fishing, swimming and island walks at their leisure. They then return to Paihia via the Salt Air boat. Alternatively, they can take the boat to the islands and then helicopter back from the barge.

Grant Harnish, CEO of Salt Air is excited about the opportunities the new barge will provide for both visitors and for Salt Air to work in with other tourism operators to provide a combination of heli flights and cruising in the Bay of Islands.

“We designed this product with flexibility in mind so that a variety of vessels can drop off their passengers on our barge for a helicopter flight, opening the door for some exciting tours and packages across the Bay of Islands”.

Companies such as Fullers Great Sights will work in with Salt Air using their vessels the Excitor 3 and Ipipiri to meet with the barge for helicopter flights. The Heli Cruise Island Escapes are now available to book for the 2010/2011 season onwards.

SALT AIR now has a blog!

SaltAir — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 02:18:41 +0000

Salt Air is a family business and was established by Grant Harnish in December 1992, initially operating a Grumman Super Widgeon 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. An office was built in central Paihia at the seaplane ramp and Salt Air established their head office on the Paihia waterfront.
Salt Air is committed to quality customer service. It is our intention that passengers travelling with Salt Air feel they have been cared for individually by our staff at all points of contact.
As an extension to the seaplane operation, Salt Air began operating land-based aircraft from the airports at Haruru Falls and Kerikeri. These aircraft were in turn used to develop the Cape Reinga ½ Day Tour, which has grown to become one of the premium experiences for visitors to the region.
This tour, which involves flying up to a private airstrip at Cape Reinga (top of New Zealand) and then a vehicle tour before returning to the airfield and flying back to the Bay of Islands proved to be immensely popular and demand quickly outstripped seats available in the smaller Cessna 172′s. Thus a larger aircraft was needed.
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 Bell Jetranger 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. Our sole charter helicopter Cape Reinga option has been well received as an alternative way to explore Northland from those properties equipped with helicopter landing areas.
Jan 2007 Bell Jetranger B206III ZK-HFE joined the Salt fleet, (this later model Jetranger replaced ZK-HBC) and in 2005 a Robinson 44 Helicopter was introduced and was based at the Paihia waterfront. In 2007 this was updated to HGM, a Robinson R44 Raven II which provides full visibility and an open style seating arrangement, perfect for our Helicopter Scenic Flights throughout the Bay of Islands and beyond.
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 October 2010 we look forward to adding an AS350 “Squirrel” Helicopter to our fleet and also introducing our Heli Cruise Island Escape which incorporates our Custom Built Helicopter Barge moored in the heart of the Bay of Islands and island transfer in our Sea Shuttle for a supreme full day experience of Sea, Land and Flight.
In addition to the scenic flights a large amount of charter work to various airports in the North Island has increased Salt Air’s profile in the tourism and charter aviation scene within New Zealand.