Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters

Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters is a New Zealand based helicopter company operating since 1980. The company trades as Helicopters Queenstown 2020 Ltd and is locally owned. It is known for pioneering glacier landings and maintaining very high safety standards in all flight operations.

The company offers a wide range of scenic flights around Queenstown, including tours over The Remarkables, Alpine Scenic routes, and glacier landings such as the Glacier Explorer with Earnslaw Burn. They provide specific Milford Sound flights with options for a cruise and flyback service. There are also Lord of the Rings themed scenic flights for fans of the movies.

In addition to scenic tours, Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters conducts private charters to destinations like Fiordland, Stewart Island, the Southern Alps, and Central Otago. They also operate heli hideaway experiences to locations such as Ben Nevis Station, Greenstone Hut, Jackson Bay, and Waitai Lodge. The company supports helicopter transfers for hunters, fishers, ski field visitors, and hikers on the Routeburn Track.

The helicopter fleet consists of modern Airbus turbine aircraft maintained to New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority standards. The main models include the Airbus H125 B3e Squirrel and the Airbus H130 T2, both seating up to six passengers, and the twin-engine Airbus H145 which can carry up to nine passengers depending on weight. The fleet is described as the newest in New Zealand and features leather seating for passenger comfort.

Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters holds Qualmark Gold certification and is approved by the New Zealand Department of Conservation with concessions to operate in Fiordland National Park and Mount Aspiring National Park. The company has strong experience in aerial filming with credits including Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Mission: Impossible, Fallout.

The company’s services also include commercial helicopter charters, aerial filming and photography, and special event flights such as weddings, proposals, and conference or incentive trips. They are based in Queenstown and serve the wider Southern Lakes and Fiordland regions.

Services

• Queenstown Scenic Flights
• Milford Sound Flights
• Lord of the Rings Scenic Flights
• Private Charters
• Heli Hideaways
• Helicopter Transfers
• Commercial Helicopter Charters
• Aerial Filming
• Aerial Photography
• Weddings and Proposals