P.M. refers to Chch man's work for airport

Press, 2 April 1980, Page 3

P.M. refers to Chch man's work for airport

The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) made special reference to the untiring work of Mr S. B. Barl-trop-in the progress of Christchurch Airport when he officially opened stage one of the new inter-, national terminal yesterday. Mr Muldoon'said he had read in “The Press” of Mr Barltrop’s one-man campaign for airport improve-. ments, one of the highlights of which was the organising of a petition in 1955 that attracted 12,000 signatures.

The upshot of the campaign was approval by the Government of a terminal building that cost only S"50,000 and w’as opened in 1960.

During construction, Mr Barltrop was constantly on hand to record its progress on film. Mr Barltrop, who is 76, was at the airport again yesterday and heard Mr Muldoon say that the Government could not authorise runway extensions unless it had evidence that the facility was necessary or of tangible value. Mr Barltrop said afterwards that the Government had always seemed to be against expanding Christchurch Airport, but he was sure that within five years the runway would be built — with or without Government assistance.

The first stage of the Christchurch Airport new international terminal, opened by Mr Muldoon yesterday, will be too small in six years if projected international passenger growth is correct. It will mean that planning of the second stage of the terminal will have to begin in the next two years and construction to get underway by 1983. ’.The building opened yesterday is capable of accommodating up to 600 passengers at a time. It contains two? continuous baggage conveyers holding about 200 bags each, air conditioning, wall-to-wall carpet, and extensive ariti-glare. glass; overlooking the A. > • . j The building will function as the international arrivals hall, while the old biternational tenninal will handle international departures. The project architects were. Pascoe, Lirtton, Sellars, and Kirk. The prime contractor was Fletcher Development and ; Construction, Ltd, About 35 sub-contractors and the Christchurch City Council engineer’s department were also involved.