Civil Aviation Director's Award


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The Director of Civil Aviation Awards are presented each year to an individual or organisation with an overwhelming safety ethos. The winners have gone out of their way to do the right thing. Their actions have directly resulted in safety standards being raised, and they have encouraged others in the aviation industry to do the same.

The 2005 Organisation Award went to Aoraki Mount Cook Ski Planes. This organisation has been involved in the aviation industry for 50 years. Today, they operate scenic flights using Cessna and Pilatus Porter aircraft. They are the only fixed-wing company making glacier landings in the Southern Alps.

Aoraki Mount Cook Ski Planes have led by example in mountain flying safety. Knowledge of their reputation for safety has spread around the world. The Director of Civil Aviation, John Jones, said on presenting the award, "This organisation's safety culture is readily apparent from the ticket counter to the cockpit - it is reflected in all activities associated with its operations. Surviving the challenges of operating in a difficult environment for so many years in such a safe and professional manner is an example to all aviation in New Zealand."

The award was received on behalf of Aoraki Mount Cook Ski Planes by Alex Miller,"We are thrilled and proud to be recipients of the Directors Award. As we operate within 2 national parks of world heritage status, we have worked at developing an environmental awareness and policy sensitive to other park users and the environment of the Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland National Parks. We recognise the global significance of this outstanding area, and we are delighted to work in harmony with the Department of Conservation's vision."

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