New Zealand Grants $640k Loan to Stewart Island Airline to Expand Fleet

New Zealand’s Regional Infrastructure Fund has granted a $640,000 loan to South East Air, the operator of Stewart Island Flights, to refurbish a fourth aircraft and expand the fleet to five. The funding, part of a $30 million RIF package announced in 2025, will allow the airline to meet peak‑season demand and maintain scheduled services during maintenance delays. Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson said the loan will improve residents’ access to health care, education, and emergency response, while supporting tourism, trade and business activity on Stewart Island. The loan also helps offset rising fuel costs that threaten regional air services. By strengthening the island’s sole air link, the government aims to sustain the community’s economic resilience and connectivity to the mainland.