Most Delays At Rongotai

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31256, 31 December 1966, Page 3

Most Delays At Rongotai

(New Zealand Press Association!

WELLINGTON, December 30. Wellington airport is in a critical position, according to the journal of the Aviation Industry Association.

The journal said that 13,665 air passengers were affected by total and partial closures at Rongotai in the 1965-66 year.

Only 6574 passengers were affected by closures at Christchurch and at Auckland the figure was 5340. "This underlines the need for a new airport at Paraparaumu,” the journal said. At Wellington 479 scheduled aircraft were affected, at Christchurch, 189, and Auckland, 158. Total closures at Wellington were lower than for the other two main centres—only nine times in the year, compared with 34 at Christchurch and 21 at Auckland.

But Wellington had 97 partial closures, compared with 24 at Christchurch and 20 at Auckland.

“Thus, though total closures at Wellington are much fewer, this is more than offset by partial closures,” the journal said. “This, in conjunction with Wellington’s higher traffic density, meant an appreciably greater effect on passengers and scheduled flights than closures at Christchurch and Auckland combined.”

Commenting on the report, the chairman of the Wellington City Council airport committee (Cr. S. Duff) said there was abundant evidence that the need to develop the Wellington-Paraparaumu airport complex was becoming more urgent than ever. Negotia*ions were proceeding with adjoining local authorities for their support in

the development. Cr. Duff said he would have discussions with the new Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr Gordon).

He hoped Mr Gordon would support an early start for the project.