WELLINGTON AIRPORT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28950, 18 July 1959, Page 12

WELLINGTON AIRPORT

Plans To Extend Runway 2500 ft

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 17. Before the new Wellington city airport at Rongotai has been fully opened for internal air services, plans are in. existence for its extension' by 2500 ft. This would give Rongotai a northsouth runway of 8800 ft—long enough to raise the airport at least two grades according the International Civil Aviation Organisation standards. Restricted daylight services will begin from Rongotai on Monday, and full services will begin on October 20 when the official opening ceremony will be held.

At present, the runway has a total length of 6300 ft, including a sealed length, with over-runs, of 5700 ft.

The proposal, which has the backing bf the Mayor (Mr F. J. Kitts, M.P.), and the chairman of the airport committee of the Wellington City Council (Cr. C. R. Nankervis) is that the runway should be extended south past what is left of Moa Point to the outer reef on the eastern side of Lyall Bay. Engineers have established that between the Moa Point breakwater and the outer reef, the bay is shallow, with an eroded rocky bottom. The first 1000 ft of extension would be relatively easy, but the depth of water and exposure to heavy seas would cause some difficulties in the vicinity of the reef. r The plan is to continue as has been done at the southern end of the new runway, where a reef has been used as a base for a concrete breakwater protected by tetrapods, and the line of the runway has been protected with sheet piling. This has proved satisfactory, according to engineers, and for more than a year, the sheet piling has turned heavy breakers without damage or erosion.

'Some Wellington and Ministry of Works experts believe the longer runway could be available by the time Tasman Empire Airways converts to pure-jet aircraft in about 10 years’ time.