Sunair Aviation (Tauranga) is planning to resume operations "shortly", the carrier announced on its website last week. Citing sources familiar with the airline's operations, the 3rd Level New Zealand blog said the air-taxi and charter specialist may relaunch within eight weeks.
Sunair Aviation has been inactive since September 8, 2017, when the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAANZ) suspended its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) for the second time in almost twelve months. Although the CAANZ did not outline the reasons for the move, during the previous suspension in December 2016 it said it had "serious concerns" about the airline's safety oversight. At that time, the airline resumed operations after a ten-day hiatus.
Prior to the grounding last year, Sunair operated sightseeing charters and scheduled air-taxi operations across New Zealand's North Island, using a fleet of Cessna (single piston) 172s and Piper (twin piston) PA-23 Aztecs.
