Airlines Agree About Mangere Tailings’

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30964, 21 January 1966, Page 1

Airlines Agree About Mangere Tailings’

“The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND, Jan. 20. Airlines agree that Auckland Airport has its shortcomings, but say that the airport committee achieved miracles with the money it had to spend.

Airline officials say there are several features that will need changing when the new terminal is built in four years and at least one—the present system whereby friends and relatives never get within 20 yards of the point where passengers embark should be changed before then. “We have been able to learn a lot from this temporary terminal and its disadvantages and inadequacies will be far outweighed one day by the value of the knowledge we have gained.” said the manager of one airline. Mr R. Janies, the Australian manager of Qantas said: “Ybu have had the unique opportunity here of being able to build a jet airport from the ground up. Everywhere else people have had to extend and adapt existing airports. “The ball is now at New Zealand’s feet. Some things are wrong at present, but these can be corrected .with the new terminal. Many other countries would give their eye-teeth to be in just the position that you occupy. However, you’ll have to spend

the money if you want to keep up with the times.” Mr James agreed with other airline spokesmen on the inadequacy of the present observation area. Second Storey The solution, he said, was to build a second storey above the present “tunnel,” that could lead to a small restaurant near the embarkation point. The four-year delay in completing the new terminal was too long to wait for improved observation facilities, he said. Mr P. Harricks, customs service manager for Pan American Airways, said passengers being bidden farewell often had to part with friends and relatives 45 minutes before embarkation time. “Public opinion on the observation area is very strong, and I feel the committee should consider some solution,” he said. “We hear many complaints. Unfortunately, the airline operators bear the brunt of them. It is not our fault friends and passengers have to part when and where they do.” Drinking Fountain There was one other airport facility he would like to see —a drinking fountain. “The only source of a glass of water at present is the taps in the toilets," he said. “This is wrong. Only recently a man with a headache wanted water w'ith which to take a pill. This sort of case is repeated many times.” An official of another airline said the three greatest problems at Mangere were the difficulties over the observation area, a shortage of trained staff, and an inadequate hard-standing area for (aircraft to park. The chairman of the airport committee (Mr R. W. Bennett) said were no plans for the improvement of the present observation area. He could not comment on the possibility of the committee discussing such plans. That point “would be taken care of” when the new terminal was completed. “Not only is the present terminal temporary, but itj

is a good deal better than was first suggested six years ago,” he said. “Every airline operator I have spoken to has been very well satisfied. “We could spend many thousands of pounds improving the present facilities but my feeling is that such expenditure would be a dead loss."