Mr Sisson, an aircraft engineer and former manager of Timaru and Hokitika airports, said he would be engaging with private users, businesses and land leaseholders to explore how the airport could be better used.
"It’s an airport that I believe has got a future," he said.
"Let’s look at how do you unleash that potential."
His responsibilities include monitoring operational changes, managing safety risks and overseeing day-to-day airport functions.
Over 60,000 aircraft movements were recorded last year, and he expects that number to climb to 80,000 by the end of this year — approaching Wellington Airport’s 92,000 movements.
However, not everyone is optimistic. Pilot and airport land leaseholder Simon Laming criticised the council’s financial management of the aerodrome, citing a 52% increase in facilities management fees — from $164,597 in 2022 to $251,123 in 2024 — and a growing deficit, which rose from $30,828 to $130,295 over the same period.
"I don’t understand how an airport can have a $400,000 surplus from non-aviation activity and still run at a $130,295 loss," Mr Laming said.
Mr Sisson said to start with, he was figuring out how the airport ran.
"A change of culture can take an airport two to three years, it doesn’t happen overnight," he said.
Financial decisions at the airport would be a "collaborative approach" between himself and other directors, including Waitaki District Council director of strategy, performance and design Joanne O’Neill and chief executive Alex Parmley.
As airport usage continued to grow, an aeronautical report was provided to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) last year.
The council was still awaiting review on that report, Mr Sisson said.
"With those recommendations, that will be tabled to council — decisions will be made from there," he said.
While there is a physical control tower at the airport, there is not an air traffic service provided from it.
A CAA spokesperson said there were "various tools available to aerodrome operators to enhance safety", of which an air traffic service was just one.
"You’re looking after an asset, your runways, the buildings, lighting. Within that you’re managing asphalt, the grass and the wildlife," Mr Sisson said.
Through his role as Timaru’s airport manager, he had built previous relationships with Oamaru Airport-based businesses New Zealand Airline Academy (NZAA) and Heliventures, which was a "good springboard" to have.
Safety would remain a top priority — it was a "culture" that underpinned successful airport operations, he said.
The CAA said Oamaru Airport was responsible for maintaining the aerodrome’s runway as the PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
A CAA spokesperson said they supported any decision to conduct runway maintenance in the interests of aviation safety.
A recent decision to cancel the Oamaru Drags event was based on a Beca report highlighting the deteriorating condition of the runway.
"The tarmac is at the end of its life," Mr Sisson said.
"It’s not just about it being a one-day event — it’s what can happen in that one day."
While he was a motorsport fan himself and open to future discussions, the runway’s use for medical flights meant any damage could have serious consequences, Mr Sisson said.
Resealing is included in the council’s long-term plan for 2027-28.
Mr Sisson said following a recent crash involving a student driver near the airport, the airport was working with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and Kiwirail on potential safety improvements at the State Highway1 and Robertson Rd intersection. Road safety information would also be offered to the New Zealand Airline Academy.
Mr Sisson said looking ahead he was focused on building a "no blame" aviation culture.
"Let’s learn from the mistakes that are made. As the airport operator, one of your roles is to build that system and engage people with it."
