The aviation industry in New Zealand, and in the world as a whole, has simplified our lives by making transportation much more efficient. And the more that we have relied on it to move goods and people, the more it has grown to become a billion-dollar industry. It's thus not surprising that more people are investing in it with the hope of reaping gains from their time and money.
But what exactly is aviation? While it may seem like aviation mainly encompasses flight operations, there is much more to it than that. In fact, the aviation industry includes everything from the making of the aircraft down to their uses and maintenance. And as a result of this wide coverage, this industry employs a wide range of professionals beyond the cockpit.
In this guide, we take you through the beginnings of this industry in New Zealand, how it has grown to be instrumental in our economy, and why more people are paying attention to aviation tourism.
How Did It All Begin?
We've all heard about the Wright brothers and their contributions to aviation as we know it today. But did you know that a New Zealander actually invented a powered monoplane before this historic flight? Why, yes! For a long time in the 19th century and the early 20th century, many New Zealanders had put their heads together, trying to get a plane to fly. However, it was not until Richard Pearse attempted a similar undertaking that these efforts became a success. Records show that this flight took place sometime between 1902 and 1904. But since the flight did not go on any official records and was not sustained, word did not get around as much. Even so, this stride in the right direction set the pace for the country's history. And in 1911, Vivian Walsh powered and operated the flight that would set the country on the right path.
Following the First World War, New Zealand, like many other nations, realized just how crucial aircraft were in military operations. Along these lines, flying schools started cropping up in an effort to fill this gap. As more pilots learned how to maneuver the skies, New Zealand strengthened its defenses. Once the war was over, investors started thinking of other ways to use the planes and pilots. And they saw it fit to start running commercial flights, which connected remote towns and also helped deliver mail much faster. Soon enough, the Union Airways of New Zealand was established as the first major airline in 1936. While the Second World War affected flight operations to a great extent, it also served as a catalyst for more airlines to crop up, paving the way for the bustling aviation industry that exists today.
The Importance of Aviation
As an island, New Zealand has always been quite isolated from the rest of the world, which has its advantages and disadvantages. The growth of the aviation industry has enabled the country to address the gaps that come from its solitary location while reaping the opportunities that come from being an island. These include the following:
Economic Growth
Like we said in the beginning, the aviation industry is more than just flights. If anything, this industry relies a lot on many professionals from other industries to make and maintain the aircraft, and this has a huge impact on the economy. Let's start with its direct contributions. Going by the 2023 reports, this industry contributed over NZ$4.9 billion to the country's gross domestic product. And indirectly, this industry supports others, including trade and tourism, which has a ripple effect on the rest of the country. In 2023, for example, its indirect contributions injected a further $NZ23.1 billion into the economy, which supported over 150,000 jobs. So, the more that this industry grows, the more that supporting industries benefit, boosting the economy as a whole.
Tourism Support
We can't talk about the role of aviation in New Zealand without touching on the part it plays in connecting visitors with this island. Many of the people who come to the island on business or vacation arrive by air through the major airports like Auckland. They also rely on domestic flights to travel across the islands as they tour the top attractions and hidden gems. So, it is safe to say that without a reliable aviation industry, the country would be losing out on all the revenue that these visitors bring.
Commerce Boost
While sea transport plays a crucial role in helping New Zealand export its products, the aviation industry is most reliable when it comes to highly perishable goods, like meat, seafood, cherries, and more. After all, importers from other countries expect to receive these foods at peak freshness and in the highest quality possible. A commercial flight will do just that. But it's not just exporters who benefit from these fast connections. Businesspeople, too, have come to rely on commercial flights to score international deals. Whether they are forming partnerships in Europe, Asia, or North America, they know that a flight will get them to their meetings on time.
Social Connections
Many people have families spread across the islands. And while domestic travel is available, it is often time-consuming and may not always be feasible in some remote regions. That's where air travel comes in to save the day. By connecting islands as well as remote towns, families and friends are able to visit each other, thus keeping their connections alive. What's more, the same domestic flights come in handy during rescue operations where the emergency teams need to get to people fast and safely.
The Future of Aviation Tourism
New Zealand has some of the most beautiful landscapes that you will ever see. However, its terrain can be hard to navigate, and many people are unable to access some of these sights. Luckily, the aviation tourism industry is here to help. By organizing aerial tours through helicopter tours, sky diving, hot air balloon rides, and other experiences, operators in this industry have allowed people to explore these hard-to-reach places safely. And by the looks of things, this industry is set to grow by leaps and bounds in the next few years.
