Air Safaris

Air Safaris Explore New Zealand's
most spectacular alpine scenery! See Mt Cook, Lake Tekapo, glaciers and more.
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Air Safaris is an award-winning company, flying for over 50 years in the Aoraki Mt Cook and Westland National Parks. The pioneering family started with just one aircraft and still own and operate the business, now one of New Zealand’s largest scenic flight airlines. WHY FLY WITH AIR SAFARIS?

• Experience New Zealand’s incredible scenery, including Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo.
• Flights depart from Lake

Tekapo, Glentanner Park/Mt Cook or Franz Josef.
• Safe, modern aircraft with experienced local alpine pilots.
• Fixed wing and helicopter flights.
• Every seat is a window seat for unparalleled views.
• Go further & see more – epic mountains, glaciers, alpine valleys, glacial lakes, and
braided rivers.
• Informative and entertaining commentary with multi-language brochure supplied.
• Private charter flights include Milford Sound, Queenstown, West Coast,
Christchurch or Dunedin.
• Family-owned business with friendly, personal service since 1970! SCENIC FLIGHT OPTIONS:

The Grand Traverse: The magnificent “flight of a lifetime!” Experience breath-taking scenery up close from your own window seat, including Aoraki Mt Cook, glaciers, braided rivers, and glacial lakes. 50-minute scenic plane flight from lake Tekapo or Franz Josef (West Coast). Aoraki Mt Cook Franz & Fox Magic: A amazing 60-minute helicopter flight from Lake Tekapo with incredible scenery and alpine snow landing. See Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand’s longest glacier, beautiful glacial lakes, and braided rivers. Mount Cook Alpine Grandeur: An awesome 45-minute helicopter flight from Lake Tekapo with an alpine snow landing. Explore incredible valleys and glaciers of the Southern Alps, and see mighty Aoraki Mt Cook. Mackenzie Explorer: One of the most popular helicopter flights! Enjoy a stunning 30-minute flight from Lake Tekapo then experience a snow or alpine landing. Milford Sound Excursion: Experience an epic flight direct to Milford Sound or via Aoraki Mt Cook. Enjoy incredible scenery then relax in beautiful Milford Sound before flying back. 2.5 hour return flight from Lake Tekapo or Franz Josef (West Coast). Weddings & Engagements: Enjoy the privacy of an exclusive helicopter flight with a gorgeous alpine landing high above Lake Tekapo. Wedding and engagement packages can be tailored for you, making that special day even more magical!

22/04/2026

Here we go again... ✈️✨

Current scenes around the Godley River. The Southern Alps have been getting a bit of rain over the past few days, bringi...
30/03/2026

Current scenes around the Godley River. The Southern Alps have been getting a bit of rain over the past few days, bringing plenty of glacial water and silt (the milky white colour you can see at the top of the lake) into Lake Tekapo.

FYI for anyone planning to head into the Godley Valley over the Easter break.

We’re incredibly proud to be part of this 💙At Air Safaris, it’s not just about flying, it’s about creating moments that ...
25/03/2026

We’re incredibly proud to be part of this 💙

At Air Safaris, it’s not just about flying, it’s about creating moments that matter.

Being able to give kids facing tough times the chance to take to the skies, see our beautiful backyard, and just be kids for a moment… that’s something really special.

Huge thanks to Uplift in Kind for making this possible. We’re honoured to be involved ✈️✨

Towering peaks, untouched snow, and cloud drifting through the valleys. A perspective you simply can’t get from the grou...
24/03/2026

Towering peaks, untouched snow, and cloud drifting through the valleys. A perspective you simply can’t get from the ground. 🛩

Our iconic Grand Traverse scenic flight takes you deep into the heart of Aoraki/Mt Cook & Westland National Parks, where every seat is a window seat and every moment is unforgettable.

No crowds. No hiking required. Just pure alpine magic. 😍

We often get asked: “What’s better.... helicopter or fixed wing?”And the truth is… it depends on the person.Some people ...
09/03/2026

We often get asked: “What’s better.... helicopter or fixed wing?”

And the truth is… it depends on the person.

Some people dream of landing in the snow and stepping out onto a snow covered mountain.
Others want a guaranteed window seat and the best panoramic scenic views from above.

The good news? We offer both.

Our fixed-wing Grand Traverse flight (most popular) covers a huge area of the Southern Alps, including Aoraki/Mt Cook, the Tasman Glacier, braided rivers, and turquoise alpine lakes, with every passenger enjoying a window seat.

Our helicopter flights offer the thrill of hovering among the peaks and the chance to land high in the mountains or on snow, making it a truly unforgettable alpine experience.

So the real question is…

Which would you choose? Helicopter or plane?

It’s one of our favourite times of year. 🍂Fresh snow dusting the mountain tops, golden valleys below, and that crisp aut...
03/03/2026

It’s one of our favourite times of year. 🍂

Fresh snow dusting the mountain tops, golden valleys below, and that crisp autumn air.

A front-row seat to nature’s seasonal shift ✈️.

#2026

17/02/2026

With all this rain, we're expecting some fantastic colours to come out of our rivers in the coming days!!

11/02/2026
Some places in the Mackenzie can only really be appreciated from the air... Like this glacial braided river.🤎 🩵
28/01/2026

Some places in the Mackenzie can only really be appreciated from the air...

Like this glacial braided river.🤎 🩵

2026 NZ summer loading…. 😳 #2026
22/01/2026

2026 NZ summer loading…. 😳

#2026

As the year comes to a close, we just want to say a huge thank you to every one of our incredible customers who chose to...
22/12/2025

As the year comes to a close, we just want to say a huge thank you to every one of our incredible customers who chose to fly with us in 2025.

Whether you joined us for a once-in-a-lifetime scenic flight, ticked something special off your bucket list, or simply came to see our stunning landscapes from above. We’re so grateful you trusted us with your experience.

From all of us here at Air Safaris, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, safe New Year. ✈️❄️

If we had to sum up our flights in three words…Nature’s finest masterpiece. ✈️✨
09/12/2025

If we had to sum up our flights in three words…

Nature’s finest masterpiece. ✈️✨

Address

State Highway 8, Lake Tekapo Airport
Lake Tekapo
7945

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm
Saturday 8:30am - 5pm
Sunday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+6436806880

Website

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