The aircraft’s debut in the country allows Glenorchy to enter instrument flight operations while continuing its scenic services and launching a nationwide charter brand.
Glenorchy Air has become the first operator in New Zealand to bring the Tecnam P2012 Traveller into service, following approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand. The Queenstown-based operator is positioning the aircraft as a step-change in capability as it develops its fleet.
The P2012 Traveller will arrive in October 2026 and opens access to IFR charter flying, allowing Glenorchy to broaden its operating scope beyond its established scenic network. The aircraft will continue to support routes over Milford Sound and Mount Cook while enabling longer and more flexible charter missions.
Alongside the aircraft’s entry into service, Glenorchy is launching Queenstown Air Charter, a brand focused on nationwide VFR and IFR charter services. The move signals a dual-track strategy, combining tourism-led flying with expanded charter capability.
James Stokes, CEO of Glenorchy Air, says: “Glenorchy Air is very excited to debut the Tecnam P2012 in New Zealand and use it to expand our capacity and capability into the 2026/27 summer season and beyond. Our management pilots and I viewed the aircraft at Oshkosh 2025, and we were extremely impressed with its passenger comfort and legroom, cockpit ergonomics and beautiful Italian styling.”
Francesco Sferra, Tecnam P2012 and special mission platforms sales manager at Tecnam, adds: “We are incredibly proud to see the P2012 Traveller making its debut in the spectacular skies of New Zealand. Glenorchy Air’s dedication to providing a premium, award-winning passenger experience aligns perfectly with the DNA of the P2012. Its versatility, twin-engine reliability and exceptional cabin comfort will make it a tremendous asset for its scenic tours and the exciting launch of Queenstown Air Charter.”
Stokes continues: “We have been looking to diversify our operations from 100 per cent reliance on highly weather-dependent scenic flights. The P2012 gives us an asset that can carry out Part 135 IFR charter while still being deployable on our current operations. Single-engine IFR operations in NZ are highly restricted by our CAA, particularly in the mountainous environment we live in which limits what our current fleet can do. We saw an opportunity to bring in a new aircraft type with the capability we need. We viewed the aircraft at Oshkosh 2025 and we were very impressed with it.
“It is available for ad hoc charters NZ-wide but focused on the South Island and Lower North Island. Its SPACE cockpit has excellent ergonomics and the G1000NXI avionics system is fantastic. These systems make the P2012 the most advanced piston twin in the world by some margin. The aircraft has a very good cabin design with excellent legroom – I am 6 foot 6 and can sit in any seat of the aircraft in comfort – and having USB charging, storage and drinks holders at every seat are also nice touches for passengers. The aircraft also looks fantastic: it’s full of Italian design flair inside and out.”
“Glenorchy will be the only Queenstown based operator with a twin-engine aircraft and the only one able to offer a locally based IFR service once we receive that certification. The Traveller is also fully deployable on its existing scenic flights to Milford Sound, Mount Cook and Stewart Island. The team operates two other G1000 NXI equipped aircraft types (C208B EX and Kodiak 100) so it is comfortable with the systems already.”
Stokes concludes: “We have had a solid summer tourism season with record bookings but this has been affected by volatile weather which has been challenging for the visitor sector generally, and particularly for the region’s air operators. We operate mostly to Milford Sound, which is famous for high rainfall even in a ‘dry year’ so we are used to dealing with changing conditions.
“The Iran situation has definitely affected our European markets, but we have not seen a huge dropoff in bookings outside those, likely thanks to the situation starting as our season began to wind down from the peak. We have seen significant increases in fuel prices like everyone has and have had to adjust pricing to accommodate this.
“We would like to see the Strait of Hormuz situation calm down and fuel prices ease, as well as see the European market start to recover. In the meantime we will be working to get the aircraft to New Zealand, get comfortable in it and set up the business for a successful 2026/27 summer season showcasing New Zealand’s stunning landscapes and experiences.”
