Council sure of completing runway by 1984

Press, 29 June 1982, Page 1

Council sure of completing runway by 1984

Construction work on the Christchurch Airport runway extension could be completed by the end of 1983.

The city's Deputy Mayor (Cr Rex Lester) said yesterday that the City Council was "extremely happy" with a Government decision that would allow fully-laden, wide-bodied jet aircraft with fuel-efficient engines to fly directly between Christchurch and Singapore or Honolulu.

The council had asked for a longer extension; but recent Civil Aviation Division information indicates that a shorter runway and a clearway will be adequate for aircraft with new engines, such as the ones being fitted to 747 s by Air New’ Zealand. The 845-metre runway extension was announced yesterday by the Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr Gair). Another 183 metres will be added — but not sealed — as a clearway in case of overruns. Approval is conditional on the City Council using existing airport funds to finance $1,849,000 in navigation aids. Council officers said that could be done.

"This is something quite new in the funding of such developments" said Cr Leser, "but the money will be made available from reserves until the Government is able to refund it." Cr Lester said that it was now up to the council, other local bodies, the farming industry, manufacturers and tourist interests to make the extension worth while by attracting new business to the airport. “We have had tremendous support' already ■ from the South Island.” he said. “This

presents the City Council with a very real challenge in actively promoting the airport to new markets. We will accept that challenge with real vigour and enthusiasm. “It is within our capability to fund the project from existing reserves, and expected income over the.next two vears.”

The total project is estimated to cost about $7.5 million, including navigational aids. That is $2.7 million less than the cost of a 1217-metre extension originally sought by the City Council. "Quite obviously, the cost will deplete our reserves and delay the start on a second stage of the international terminal." Cr Lester said. "We will be giving very early attention to that because an efficient terminal operation is a vital part of any airport." Because of the diversion of landing dues funds away from Christchurch to other New Zealand airports several years ago. councillors have been warned that funds

could be short for some future projects. "At the moment, the terminal has pressure points," said Cr Lester. "But that is common to all airports. The idea is to keep them from becoming unbearable to the travelling public. We need a total review of our airport.” Cr Lester said the shorter extension would not require a second crash fire station, since the new length would remain within the existing station’s response time. "With a shorter runway, there is ;;a,;lot of additional

design work to be done." he said. “We will immediately start on that. We hope to be in a position to let the first tender in three months, and will progress on from there to a planned completion date of December. 1983. “That is conditional on Civil Aviation meeting its deadlines."

In his announcement, Mr Gair said that Air New Zealand's 747 s would be fitted with the new Rolls-Royce fuel efficient engines by September. A number of other airlines, including'Qantas and British Airways, were either refitting engines to their 747 fleets or planned to use new engines. The Airport Director (Mr M. W. Atkinson) said that the engine refittings would not apply to DClOs. but it was logical to assume that airlines would be considering more economical engines that would require less fuel in long hauls. “Other airlines are probably going to do it anyway,

from a purely economic point of view,' apart from being able to fly in here," Mr Atkinson said. Mr Gair said that no airline had yet expressed an interest in using an extended Christchurch runway, but airport authorities believed that the completed extension would generate interest among airlines and overseas tour companies. "Considerable interest has -been shown in the proposed runway extension by South Island manufacturers, and agricultural and horticultural

undertakings which at present find exporting through Auckland impractical." Mr Gair said. South Island interests had waited some months for a decision, but the new information on improved aircraft performance "has only very recently come to light." he said, and that had proved the wisdom of not rushing a decision. “The decision is an indication of the Government's confidence in the continued economic and social development of the South Island." Mr Gair said. "I am sure the full value of the extension will become apparent in the years ahead." Cr Lester noted that the announcement was joined by plans for an improved domestic terminal at Wellington. “Even people here would welcome that decision," he said. “We can share their j°y" The Mayor of Christchurch, Sir Hamish Hay, said he hoped that the financial arrangement with the Government would not prejudice future capital works at the airport. “It will. I think, strengthen our case for an early review of landing charges to get us back to a position to accumulate funds for capital works that will always be necessary at an international airport." he said. A future funding formula should allow Christchurch to generate realistic financial reserves, he said: "We have been put at a gross disadvantage in relation to Auckland and Wellington.” ~