In August 1970, NAC replaced its DC-3 service to Whangarei with larger Fokker Friendships. Northern Districts Aero Club introduced a twice-daily return air taxi service to compete and provide additional frequency to Auckland on each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The service, which operated under the name of Executive Air Taxis, started on 21 August 1970 using a newly imported Piper Cherokee Six. This service proved to be popular and was expanded by the end of 1974 to offer a twice-daily Monday to Friday morning and afternoon return services to Auckland. Northern Districts Aero Club was able to fund new clubrooms and a hangar in 1977.