INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25577, 19 August 1948, Page 3

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

LIKELY DESIGNATION OF HAREWOOD

EARLY OFFICIAL STATEMENT EXPECTED

Inquiries made by “The Press” indicate that Harewood aerodrome is almost certain to be declared an international airport soon. An official statement will probably be issued next week.

The Christchurch City Council, which owns the aerodrome, plans to develop it as a “B” class airport under the regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. This will mean that the aerodrome will be capable of accommodating aircraft of a gross weight of 200,0001 b. It is not expected, however, that aircraft of this size will need to be accommodated for at least 20 years. Proposed extensions to Harewood will give three separate runways, each 7400 ieet long. The National Airways Corporation has established at Harewood a workshop for the complete overhaul of engines and aircraft. Servicing and maintenance facilities have also been installed. A staff of about 150 personnel is employed. Preliminary work is in hand for the installation of aerodrome lighting at Harewood. This task is being performed by the Civil Aviation oranch of the Air Department, which also proposes to establish a South Island communications centre at Harewood, with radio and landline teletype outlets on a larger scale than at present. Radio aids, including a radio range station, have been installed at Harewood in recent months. The present area of Harewood aerodrome is 571 acres, but the City Council proposes to extend it by acquiring an additional 900 acres from adjoining properties. The council has a special committee with power to act in buying land.

The council has already bought, or is in the final stages of negotiations, for about a third of the area wanted for extensions. This land includes nearly all the North Canterbury Catchment Board’s reserves near the airport, but the transaction has yet to be given Ministerial approval. •It is probable that not all the land bought adjoining the airport will be needed for aerodrome purposes, and that portions of it may be leased for grazing. The development of the airport means, however, the resubdivision of holdings affected, so that no uneconomic farming units are created. Only three of the blocks the council has acquired so far have been in the hands of private owners.