Inside New Zealand’s first Aviation Action Plan: Resilience, regional routes and net zero
September 16, 2025
New Zealand has launched its first whole-of-sector Aviation Action Plan, with headline measures including permanent access to RNZAF Base Ohakea as an alternate runway for wide-body aircraft and targeted support for vulnerable regional air routes.
The 25-point roadmap, unveiled on 15 September at the Aviation Industry Association Conference in Wellington by Associate Transport Minister James Meager, sets out a programme of deliverables to address regulatory bottlenecks, workforce shortages, fragile regional connectivity and the transition to lower-carbon aviation.
“Aviation is vital to New Zealand’s economic prosperity and our way of life,” Meager said. “This plan is a practical roadmap that tackles the challenges head-on — from strengthening regional connectivity and passenger rights to embracing new technologies and building a skilled workforce.”
A major milestone for New Zealand’s aviation sector
The Action Plan is the first of its kind, developed jointly by industry and government through the Interim Aviation Council following the Air Navigation System Review.
It marks a decisive attempt to provide long-term leadership for an industry that contributes more than 5.6 per cent of GDP and supports thousands of jobs across tourism, trade, logistics and essential services.
Meager stressed that progress is already underway. “We’ve made progress on several fronts, including $30 million in loans from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support regional routes, and the start of a first-principles review of Civil Aviation Authority funding,” he told delegates.
The Interim Council will now transition into a permanent Aviation Council to provide oversight and refresh the plan every three years.
Civil Aviation Authority reforms to support aviation growth
A central focus is on reforming the regulatory environment. The Civil Aviation Authority and Ministry of Transport will rework rules for emerging technologies such as drones and uncrewed aircraft, while also introducing a two-year rolling programme of rule changes to accelerate decision-making.
Certification wait times are to be shortened through better resourcing, digitised systems and automation of routine processes. The government’s stated ambition is a framework that is robust, internationally credible and agile, maintaining safety standards while supporting innovation.
Industry bodies have highlighted the need for such reforms. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has previously criticised New Zealand’s airport economic regulatory framework as “not fit for purpose,” urging changes to ensure fairer and more efficient outcomes for airlines and passengers.
Aviation workforce shortages and new training pathways
Workforce reform is another urgent priority. Ringa Hora, the workforce development council, will update pilot training by the end of 2025, creating an airline-approved qualification that can be completed more quickly and aligned more closely with industry needs.
A broader package will address retention, recruitment and diversity, with an emphasis on encouraging more Māori and women into aviation careers.
“The aviation workforce is critical to the success of the whole aviation system,” said Meager. “We need to make aviation an attractive and sustainable career path, so that the sector has the skilled people it needs to grow.”
International mutual recognition of licences will also be pursued, allowing skilled personnel to move more easily between jurisdictions.
RNZAF Ohakea runway access and future aviation infrastructure
One of the most eye-catching measures is the decision to make RNZAF Base Ohakea permanently available as an alternate runway for widebody aircraft by December 2026.
The move underscores the need for resilience in the face of disruption at Auckland or Wellington and highlights growing civil–military cooperation.
The plan also directs the mapping of future aviation infrastructure requirements, including capacity for sustainable aviation fuel, electrification of smaller aircraft, and new technologies such as electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles.
Airports and airlines will work with the government to ensure the system can adapt to next-generation needs.
Support for regional air routes and stronger passenger rights
The fragility of regional routes has been acknowledged with targeted support.
New Zealand’s regional airlines have faced mounting pressures in recent years, with rising fuel, maintenance and regulatory costs making thin-margin routes increasingly hard to sustain.
Smaller carriers such as Sounds Air and Air Chathams have struggled to finance new aircraft and maintain connectivity, with Sounds Air announcing the sale of five Pilatus PC-12s and the withdrawal of several routes.
The plan authorises the use of the Regional Infrastructure Fund to help small airlines acquire or lease aircraft, refinance debt on concessionary terms, and invest in IT systems to enable interlining with larger carriers. These measures are intended to secure lifeline connections for communities until market conditions improve.
Passengers are also in focus. By early 2026, the Aviation Council will introduce improvements to make air travel more accessible for disabled people, while the Ministry of Transport will review consumer rights against international benchmarks on disruption, refunds and compensation.
Sustainable aviation fuel and net-zero growth plan
In line with New Zealand’s target of net zero emissions by 2050, the plan outlines steps to support the uptake of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and alternative propulsion.
Work will begin in 2025 with Australia on regional supply chains for SAF, while the government will reaffirm its participation in the international Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
Electric aircraft and uncrewed aerial systems are also flagged as opportunities to transform the economics of regional routes and create new markets in agriculture and forestry.
Air New Zealand’s recent decision to drop its 2030 carbon intensity target, citing slow progress on new aircraft deliveries and SAF availability, highlights the importance of these policy interventions in bridging near-term gaps and sustaining momentum toward net zero.
Permanent Aviation Council to drive accountability
Perhaps the most significant feature of the plan is its structure. Every action has a named lead organisation, a delivery timeline and a monitoring mechanism.
The new permanent Aviation Council will report annually to the Minister and refresh the plan every three years, ensuring that it remains a living document rather than a static policy exercise.
“This plan is not a one-off document,” said Meager. “It is a foundation for long-term change, with accountability built in, to make sure our aviation sector continues to connect us, lift prosperity and support communities across New Zealand.”
How New Zealand’s aviation plan compares internationally
New Zealand’s initiative sits alongside similar moves overseas. Australia’s 2024 Aviation White Paper laid out 56 policy initiatives spanning workforce, regional connectivity, regulation, safety and emissions.
The UK has also submitted its State Action Plan to ICAO, with comparable emphases on SAF and emissions tracking.
Closer to home, New Zealand’s Space and Advanced Aviation Strategy 2024-2030 already sets ambitions in regulation and R&D for advanced aviation.
The new Action Plan builds on that foundation, giving the sector a more integrated and accountable framework for the future.
