Airfield company looking to new income streams

Clive Geddes
Clive Geddes
Omarama Airfield Ltd is working on ways to boost non aviation-related income and enhance its presence in the industry, its chairman says.

The company, formed in 1993, operates Omarama Airfield and is jointly owned by the Waitaki District Council and Omarama Soaring Centre Inc.

On Tuesday, Omarama Airfield Ltd chairman Clive Geddes presented the company's half-yearly report at a meeting of the full council.

As there had been a downturn in gliding in general in recent years, the company was considering ways it could boost non-aviation revenue, which it had started to do through its recently refurbished cafe, and planned to up its marketing and boost its online presence over the next several months.

"We do believe it's time to step up...it's time to start rationalising the idea of signage on State Highway 1 and the web page to encourage the markets we do have, and to create some good activity. What we have to do is prioritise our time."

The company also hoped to enter into a partnership with the flight school being run from Oamaru Airport to provide students with experience flying in mountainous areas.

In addition, Mr Geddes said Youth Glide New Zealand had applied to the company for consent to operate a winch launching system on the airfield.

Cr Melanie Tavendale asked if the winch would impact on the viability of the airfield.

Mr Geddes said the airfield had two adjoining runways, that ran east to west for aviation, and that the winch would be on the northern side with a roughly 55m separation, enough to allow aeroplanes and gliders to operate in tandem.

"We do not have any safety concerns about running the aviation runway and the winch," he said.

The company reported a deficit of $34,815 for the six months to December 31.

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