NZICPA adjusts to current operational needs
Published on 24 July 2025
Following a staff consultation process, the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy (NZICPA) has made the difficult decision to reduce the number of full-time roles from 20 to 10.
This decision follows a directive issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in May, which temporarily suspended flying operations at the academy. As a result, many of NZICPA’s 145 enrolled students have had to pause their flight training until full operations can resume. Theoretical ground instruction has continued for some students during this period.
Since then, four aircraft have successfully received certificates of airworthiness from the CAA and have returned to service. An additional two aircraft have been submitted for CAA review, with more of the academy’s 29-strong fleet expected to follow in the coming weeks.
These operational disruptions have also impacted the pipeline of new students, with those scheduled to begin training in Q3 now delayed until further notice.
NZICPA director Craig Compain says the organisation has undertaken a necessary restructuring in order to relaunch flight training with a smaller number of students and aircraft than previously.
He says, “This approach enables a gradual and controlled expansion of both fleet and student capacity, ensuring growth occurs at a cautious and sustainable pace.”
NZICPA plans to incrementally add capability as resources allow, while long-term strategic options for the future of the academy are being considered.
“This is a difficult and regrettable situation,” says Compain, “and we are supporting those impacted by redundancies – and the wider team – as best we can.”
“We remain committed to meeting the CAA’s requirements to ensure a safe and compliant training environment and there has been significant progress in addressing the conditions set out by the regulator.
“Having the CAA suspension lifted will be a significant step forward for the academy. It will help restore confidence in NZICPA as a safe and reputable flight training institution and allow us to resume flight training. That said, this will require a phased and carefully managed approach to gradually rebuild training capacity and operations.”
Whanganui District Council Holdings Limited (Holdings) and the council continue to explore long-term strategic options for the future of the academy.
Holdings chair, Carolyn van Leuven, says these are important and complex discussions and it’s critical they take the time to consider the options.
“Our priority here is to deliver the best outcome for all involved. That means ensuring staff and students are able to be supported, a flight school remains in Whanganui and the council’s financial exposure is minimised. We’re working closely with the council and NZICPA to meet these objectives.
While the academy continues to operate within its existing funding envelope, van Leuven says that in the short term some asset sales could help provide financial support.
“We have planes, for example, that are surplus to NZICPA’s requirements, and we’ve already received expressions of interest from potential purchasers.
“We will continue to communicate proactively with students, staff, stakeholders and the people of Whanganui as we work through this process,” she says.