Island Air Charters
Professional services
UnclaimedA New Zealand air-charter operator based in Tauranga and serving the Bay of Plenty with light aircraft.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Island Air Charters is a New Zealand air-charter company based in Tauranga, in the Bay of Plenty region. The operator was established in August 1995 when Paul Ensor acquired a Cessna P206 Super Skylane, creating a small aviation business focused on charter and general aviation work. Its operations developed through the addition of further Cessna aircraft, including a TU206A, Cessna 172N, Cessna 172K and Cessna U206C. The company later expanded its carrying capacity by adding a twin-engine Britten-Norman BN-2A-27 Islander in October 2004. The Islander enabled Island Air to promote a scheduled summer service from Tauranga to Great Barrier Island via Whitianga. The service began in 2005 with two flights per week and was increased to three weekly flights in 2006. In addition to this seasonal route, the company has provided charter flights, air-taxi services, scenic flights and a regular shuttle service to Mōtītī Island. These offerings place the operator within New Zealand's regional and general-aviation sector rather than the large scheduled-airline market. The company's expansion was followed by significant regulatory and operational difficulties in late 2006. In November of that year, New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority suspended Island Air's operating licence after identifying unauthorised maintenance work on company aircraft. A new maintenance controller and chief executive were appointed in an effort to address the deficiencies. The situation worsened in December when the Britten-Norman Islander made two forced landings, on 22 and 28 December. The second incident ended with the aircraft crash-landing on mudflats in the Te Puna estuary near Omokoroa, close to Tauranga. Paul Ensor was flying the aircraft, and no one was injured. In 2007, Ensor was fined NZ$10,000 after reinstalling a cracked landing-gear component despite maintenance engineers having prohibited its use. The company subsequently continued flying through the operating licences of other companies. Reference material identifies the later fleet as including a Cessna U206G, Cessna 172K and Cessna 172M, while the Britten-Norman Islander and earlier Cessna aircraft are listed as previous aircraft. Publicly available reference material provides limited information about the company's later ownership, management, financial performance or current operating status.
History
Island Air Charters began operations in August 1995 in Tauranga, New Zealand, when owner Paul Ensor acquired a Cessna P206 Super Skylane. The business initially operated as a small general-aviation and charter enterprise. It expanded its single-aircraft operation during the following years: a Cessna TU206A was added in November 1996, followed by a Cessna 172N and, later, a Cessna 172K. A Cessna U206C joined the fleet in 2001. By 2004, the fleet was reported as consisting of a TU206A and a 172K, before the company added a twin-engine Britten-Norman BN-2A-27 Islander in October of that year. The Islander gave Island Air greater passenger capacity and allowed it to promote a regular summer service between Tauranga and Great Barrier Island through Whitianga. The service was advertised from 2005 at two flights per week, increasing to three flights per week in 2006. The company also provided charter flights, air-taxi operations, scenic flights and a shuttle to Mōtītī Island, reflecting its role as a local and regional operator rather than a nationwide scheduled airline. The growth in flying activity and the associated aircraft-maintenance requirements preceded a serious regulatory episode. In November 2006, the Civil Aviation Authority suspended Island Air's operating licence after finding that unauthorised maintenance had been performed on company aircraft. Island Air responded by appointing a new maintenance controller and chief executive. In the following month, however, the company's Britten-Norman Islander experienced two forced landings, on 22 and 28 December. During the second event, on 28 December, the aircraft crash-landed on mudflats in the Te Puna estuary at Omokoroa near Tauranga. Ensor was piloting the aircraft and there were no injuries. The regulatory and safety concerns continued into 2007. Ensor was fined NZ$10,000 after reinstalling a cracked landing-gear component on an aircraft despite maintenance engineers having prohibited its use. The company maintained access to flying operations by using the operating licences of other companies. Later fleet information identifies a Cessna U206G, Cessna 172K and Cessna 172M as Island Air aircraft, while the P206, TU206A and Britten-Norman Islander are listed as previous aircraft. The available reference material does not establish the company's current ownership, management, financial condition or operating status.
- 2007
Owner fined over landing-gear component
[1]Paul Ensor receives a NZ$10,000 fine after reinstalling a cracked component that maintenance engineers had prohibited.
- 2006
Operating licence suspended
[1]The Civil Aviation Authority suspends Island Air's operating licence over unauthorised aircraft maintenance.
- 2006
Britten-Norman Islander crash-lands
[1]Following two forced landings in December, the Islander crash-lands on mudflats near Omokoroa; no one is injured.
- 2005
Great Barrier Island summer service promoted
[1]Island Air begins advertising a twice-weekly summer service from Tauranga to Great Barrier Island via Whitianga.
- 2004
Britten-Norman Islander added
[1]The operator adds a twin-engine Britten-Norman BN-2A-27 Islander, increasing available passenger capacity.
- 2001
Cessna U206C joins the fleet
[1]Island Air adds a Cessna U206C as its small-aircraft operation develops.
- 1996
Additional Cessna aircraft enter the fleet
[1]The company adds a Cessna TU206A and subsequently expands with Cessna 172 aircraft.
- 1995
Island Air Charters begins operations
[1]Paul Ensor establishes the Tauranga-based operator after acquiring a Cessna P206 Super Skylane.
Products and positioning
A small regional aviation and charter operator serving island, scenic and local transport needs from the Bay of Plenty.
Charter aviation · 1995
Air charter services
On-demand charter flying for passengers and local transport needs using light aircraft. The company's charter work is centered on the Bay of Plenty and nearby islands, although the available reference material does not specify detailed routes, pricing or booking terms.
Regional air transport
Air-taxi services
Short-distance air-taxi operations linking Tauranga and island or regional destinations. The service forms part of Island Air's general-aviation offering rather than a broad domestic network.
Aerial sightseeing
Scenic flights
Aerial sightseeing flights around the Bay of Plenty and surrounding coastal or island areas. The available source identifies scenic flights as a company service but does not provide specific flight durations or itineraries.
Island shuttle
Mōtītī Island shuttle
A regular shuttle service connecting the Bay of Plenty with Mōtītī Island. It is identified as one of Island Air's regular services, but the source does not state its current frequency or operating schedule.
Seasonal regional service · 2005
Great Barrier Island summer service
A seasonal service from Tauranga to Great Barrier Island via Whitianga, promoted from 2005. It initially operated twice weekly and was increased to three flights per week in 2006.
Controversies
2007
Fine for reinstalling cracked landing-gear component
Paul Ensor was fined NZ$10,000 after putting a cracked landing-gear component back on an aircraft despite maintenance engineers having prohibited its use.
2006
Operating licence suspension over unauthorised maintenance
New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority suspended Island Air's operating licence after unauthorised maintenance work was carried out on company aircraft. The company appointed a new maintenance controller and chief executive in response.
2006
Forced landings and Islander crash-landing
The company's Britten-Norman Islander made two forced landings in December 2006. The second incident resulted in a crash-landing on mudflats in the Te Puna estuary near Omokoroa, although no one was injured.
Brand decisions
2006
Management changes following licence suspensionOtherBackground
The Civil Aviation Authority suspended Island Air's operating licence after identifying unauthorised maintenance on company aircraft.
Action taken
Island Air appointed a new maintenance controller and chief executive to address the identified maintenance and operational issues.
Aftermath
The company experienced further difficulties when its Britten-Norman Islander made two forced landings in December 2006.
2005
Launch of Great Barrier Island summer serviceStrategyBackground
The addition of the larger Britten-Norman Islander increased the company's passenger capacity and supported an expansion beyond ad hoc charter work.
Action taken
Island Air advertised a regular summer route from Tauranga to Great Barrier Island via Whitianga, initially scheduled twice weekly.
Aftermath
The service was increased to three flights per week in 2006, before the company encountered serious regulatory and operational difficulties later that year.
Sources1 sources
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