Glenorchy Air
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA New Zealand scenic-flight and air-charter operator serving Queenstown, Milford Sound, Mount Cook, glaciers and other destinations.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Glenorchy Air is a New Zealand aviation company specializing in scenic flights, sightseeing excursions and air-charter services. Although its name refers to Glenorchy, the business is based at Queenstown Airport and conducts much of its scheduled or bookable activity from the Queenstown region. Its operating model is focused less on conventional scheduled airline travel than on tourism aviation: connecting visitors with Milford Sound, Mount Cook, glaciers, Stewart Island and other destinations while providing aerial views of the South Island’s alpine and coastal landscapes. The company was established in 1992 by Janet and Robert Rutherford with a single Cessna 185. Its initial fleet expanded in 1996 when Glenorchy Air acquired a Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six. The Cessna 185 was sold in 2003 and replaced by a new Gippsland GA8 Airvan, an aircraft type suited to sightseeing operations and passenger charter work. The company subsequently expanded its Airvan fleet, taking delivery of another aircraft in 2013 and adding two more before the business changed ownership in 2019. A significant transition took place in July 2019, when training manager James Stokes purchased the business. Glenorchy Air remained family-owned and operated, while Stokes Aviation became the associated parent organization. In August of that year, the new ownership announced a fleet-upgrade program that began with refurbishment of two GA8 Airvans. Glenorchy Air also announced a Cessna 206 to broaden its flight options to Mount Cook and other destinations; the aircraft replaced an older Cessna 172. Later in 2019, the company announced the acquisition of a new Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX. The aircraft’s delivery was delayed by the COVID-19 disruption to its ferry flight and it eventually reached Queenstown in November 2020. A second Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX arrived in March 2022 and entered service the following month. The fleet-development program continued with the acquisition of a Daher Kodiak 100 announced in July 2023. A second Kodiak arrived in New Zealand in October 2024. These aircraft additions support the company’s emphasis on scenic touring, flexible regional aviation and charter work rather than a dense network of fixed airline routes. Glenorchy Air’s principal visitor products include flights between Queenstown and Milford Sound, Mount Cook activities, glacier flights and charter journeys to destinations throughout New Zealand. Flights can also operate from Glenorchy when requested. The company began offering day trips from Queenstown to Stewart Island in November 2020. It promotes its service with the slogan “Discover Milford Sound And Beyond” and holds Qualmark Gold certification, a New Zealand tourism-quality designation. The company has also participated in projects beyond normal tourism operations. During production of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, beginning in 1999, Glenorchy Air transported cast members, crew and equipment around the southern South Island and flew producer Barrie Osborne on location-reconnaissance trips. In 2010 it participated in a Tourism New Zealand energy-efficiency research initiative with the Tourism Industry Association and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. The company fitted fuel-use and GPS technologies to help pilots compare fuel consumption, ground speed and altitude in the search for more efficient operating practices.
History
Glenorchy Air was founded in 1992 by Janet and Robert Rutherford as a small New Zealand aviation business operating a single Cessna 185. The company’s early activities established the pattern that would define its later identity: scenic flying and flexible charter work rather than conventional scheduled passenger services. In 1996 it expanded its fleet with a Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six. The operator replaced the Cessna 185 in 2003 with a new Gippsland GA8 Airvan. The Airvan became an important part of the company’s sightseeing and charter capability, and the fleet grew further with the delivery of another Airvan in 2013 and two additional aircraft before the business was sold. Glenorchy Air also operated other aircraft types over time, including the Cessna 172, Cessna 177 and Piper PA-32-300. In July 2019, training manager James Stokes purchased the company. The business continued as a family-owned and operated enterprise, with Stokes Aviation associated as the parent organization. The new ownership initiated a fleet-upgrade program in August 2019, beginning with the refurbishment of two GA8 Airvans. A Cessna 206 was also announced to expand the company’s ability to offer flights to Mount Cook and other destinations; it replaced an aging Cessna 172. The company announced a new Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX in December 2019. COVID-19 disrupted the aircraft’s ferry flight, delaying its arrival in Queenstown until November 2020. A second Grand Caravan EX arrived in March 2022 and entered service in April. In July 2023 Glenorchy Air announced that it had acquired a Daher Kodiak 100, followed by the arrival of a second Kodiak in New Zealand in October 2024. Glenorchy Air’s tourism operations center on scenic flights from Queenstown to Milford Sound, Mount Cook and glacier destinations. Flights can also be arranged from Glenorchy, and the company provides charter services to destinations throughout New Zealand. A Queenstown-to-Stewart-Island day-trip product began in November 2020. The operator is Qualmark Gold Certified and uses the slogan “Discover Milford Sound And Beyond.” The company has had a notable connection with New Zealand’s screen-production and sustainability sectors. From 1999 it supported production of The Lord of the Rings trilogy by transporting cast, crew and equipment around the southern South Island, including reconnaissance flights for producer Barrie Osborne. In 2010 Glenorchy Air joined a Tourism New Zealand energy-efficiency research project conducted with industry and government energy agencies. Fuel-use measurement and GPS data were installed to help assess the relationship between aircraft fuel consumption, altitude and ground speed.
- 2024
Second Kodiak arrives
[1]A second Daher Kodiak 100 arrives in New Zealand in October.
- 2023
Kodiak 100 acquisition announced
[1]Glenorchy Air announces the acquisition of a Daher Kodiak 100.
- 2022
Second Grand Caravan EX enters service
[1]A second Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX enters service in April.
- 2020
Grand Caravan EX arrives and Stewart Island trips launch
[1]The first Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX arrives in November after a COVID-related delay, while Queenstown–Stewart Island day trips begin.
- 2019
James Stokes purchases the business
[1]James Stokes acquires Glenorchy Air in July and begins a fleet-upgrade program through Stokes Aviation.
- 2013
Additional GA8 Airvan delivered
[1]Glenorchy Air takes delivery of another GA8 Airvan as its sightseeing fleet expands.
- 2010
Fuel-efficiency research participation
[1]The company joins a tourism-sector energy-efficiency research project and installs fuel-use and GPS monitoring technology.
- 2003
Cessna 185 is replaced
[1]The original Cessna 185 is sold and replaced with a Gippsland GA8 Airvan.
- 1999
The Lord of the Rings production support begins
[1]Glenorchy Air transports film personnel and equipment and supports location reconnaissance in the South Island.
- 1996
Second aircraft joins the fleet
[1]The company purchases a Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six as its operations expand.
Products and positioning
A tourism-focused New Zealand aviation operator combining scenic sightseeing, flexible regional flights and private charter services, with a particular emphasis on the South Island’s alpine and fjord landscapes.
Scenic flight
Queenstown–Milford Sound scenic flights
Sightseeing flights linking Queenstown with Milford Sound, one of New Zealand’s best-known fjord destinations. The service is positioned as an aerial tourism experience rather than a conventional scheduled airline route, allowing passengers to view the South Island’s alpine terrain and scenic landscapes during the journey.
Scenic flight
Mount Cook flights
Flight and activity options serving Mount Cook Village and the surrounding Aoraki/Mount Cook region. These products extend Glenorchy Air’s sightseeing network beyond Queenstown and provide access to one of New Zealand’s principal alpine tourism areas.
Scenic flight
Glacier flights
Aerial sightseeing experiences focused on New Zealand’s glacier and high-alpine environments. The flights form part of the company’s broader scenic-tourism portfolio and are operated using aircraft configured for regional sightseeing and charter activity.
Day-trip air service · 2020
Stewart Island day trips
Day-trip flights from Queenstown to Stewart Island, introduced in November 2020. The offering gives visitors a longer-distance island excursion within the company’s tourism network and complements its South Island scenic-flight products.
Air charter
New Zealand air charter
Private and group charter flights to destinations anywhere in New Zealand, subject to operational arrangements. Charter work gives Glenorchy Air flexibility beyond its advertised scenic routes and supports passenger, tourism and special-purpose transport requirements.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Tourism energy-efficiency research
New Zealand
As one of eight participating businesses, Glenorchy Air took part in research under the New Zealand Tourism Energy Efficiency Programme, a partnership involving the Tourism Industry Association and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.
Outcome. The company installed monitoring technology measuring aircraft fuel use and GPS-based ground speed to study fuel-saving operating practices, including altitude selection.
- 1999The Lord of the Rings production support
New Zealand
Glenorchy Air supported production of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy by carrying cast, crew and equipment around the southern South Island. It also flew producer Barrie Osborne on reconnaissance trips to locations including Paradise, Poolburn and Ben Ohau.
Outcome. The company became associated with one of New Zealand’s most prominent international film productions and its South Island locations.
Brand decisions
2023
Expansion with Daher Kodiak aircraftProduct launchBackground
The operator continued developing aircraft capacity for scenic and flexible regional flying.
Action taken
Glenorchy Air announced the acquisition of a Daher Kodiak 100, followed by the arrival of a second Kodiak in New Zealand in October 2024.
Aftermath
The Kodiak additions further diversified the company’s modern fleet.
2020
Introduction of Grand Caravan EX and Stewart Island tripsProduct launchBackground
Glenorchy Air was expanding its tourism network during a period in which COVID-19 disrupted aircraft movements and international tourism.
Action taken
The first Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX arrived in November 2020 after a delayed ferry flight, and the company launched Queenstown–Stewart Island day trips.
Aftermath
A second Grand Caravan EX entered service in April 2022, increasing the company’s available fleet capacity.
2019
Sale of Glenorchy Air to James StokesM&ABackground
The company changed ownership in July 2019 after operating for more than two decades under its founding family.
Action taken
Training manager James Stokes purchased the business, with Stokes Aviation associated as the parent company.
Aftermath
The company continued as a family-owned and operated aviation business and began a fleet-upgrade program.
2019
Fleet modernization programStrategyBackground
Following the ownership transition, Glenorchy Air sought to renew and broaden its aircraft capabilities.
Action taken
The company refurbished two GA8 Airvans and announced a Cessna 206 to replace an aging Cessna 172 and expand Mount Cook and other destination options.
Aftermath
The initiative was followed by the addition of Grand Caravan EX aircraft and later Daher Kodiak aircraft.
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