Air NZ only airline pushing for new airport in South

Air New Zealand appears to be flying solo on its suggestion for a new domestic and international airport somewhere in the South other than Queenstown.

The Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand, which represents Air New Zealand and 28 other airlines, has not expressed a view on the idea put forward by Air New Zealand chief ground operations officer Carrie Hurihanganui.

In her submission to the Queenstown Airport Corporation over its bid to extend noise boundaries at Queenstown Airport, Ms Hurihanganui said QAC's plan to extend the boundaries and invest in Wanaka Airport would not ''ultimately be sufficient'', and establishing an airport that could cater for growth should be considered.

That has opened up ideas for airports anywhere from Lauder to Lumsden.

However, BARNZ has confined itself to submitting only on the noise boundary issue.

Executive director Justin Tighe-Umbers​ told the Otago Daily Times yesterday his organisation was ''focused on being able to meet growth in the nearer term'' while Air New Zealand was looking for long-term solutions to airport capacity issues in the Central Otago-Lakes region.

''[QAC] has indicated they're going to be at capacity in the next three to four years, and that's the pressing issue that we're focused on.''

''I think Air New Zealand's looking at the longer term; how they're going to be able to meet the future growth of visitors in the wider region ... because ultimately it's clear Queenstown will have capacity limits.''

In his submission, Mr Tighe-Umbers supported the QAC's proposed noise boundaries.

''If new flights cannot be accommodated, growth in visitor numbers will diminish.

''This would be likely to increase the price of air travel to and from Queenstown,'' he said.

mark.price@odt.co.nz

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement