Dismay At New Terminal Delay

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31307, 1 March 1967, Page 3

Dismay At New Terminal Delay

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 28. Airline officials in Auckland today expressed dismay over the announcement of the Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr Gordon) that the programme for the development of the permanent terminal at Auckland Airport would be set back “at least two years” to beyond the end of 1971.

They saw great problems in dealing with projected passenger increases while still working in the temporary terminal, particularly with international services.

Airlines also saw difficulties in handling their expanding air freight services.

The present passenger terminal will ultimately become a cargo termi-'l, but till then temporary freight handling accommodation is being used. At certain times, N-A.C. has reached saturation with its cargo building and has been forced on occasions to store pallets of cargo in the open when the weather is suitable. Airline officils say that they can cope reasonably well with passenger traffic at the moment. although arrivals and departures of overseas aircraft tax the space available. The greatest pressure is expected in overseas passenger traffic before the air terminal is available. World trends indicated that Auckland could expect international passenger traffic to more than double within the next four years—and by this time the opening of a bigger terminal would still be two years away.

Questioned this afternoon, the Minister said his announcement did not necessarily mean that the completion of the permanent terminal would be delayed for two years—until 1973. “What it means is that Cabinet has decided no construction work will be done on the terminal itself for another two years,” he said. Mr Gordon disclosed today that the cost of buildings, roadways, car parks, and hard standing areas at Mangere was estimated at £7 million.