I hear on the radio this morning that Murray Douglas from the Chamber of Commerce is calling for us to extend the Hawke’s Bay Airport runway with all speed. The reason given – that part of the Pacific Blue airline, might be looking to extend their services to new airports.
Time and time again, since I became a Napier City Councillor, I have asked for someone, or anyone, to present to me a compelling business plan, for the extension to the runway. No one has even bothered to try and convince me. The best I have had is to be told that a previous City Council voted for it because it future proofed our airport.
If an extended runway becomes necessary in the future, why don’t we do the work then. Why aren’t we putting a proposal to airlines – getting a commitment from them – and then building to meet a need.
The extension to the runway at Hawke’s Bay airport is going to cost somewhere around 10-12 million dollars. That of course just allows bigger planes to land, it does not give us an airport with international capabilities. For that you need to completely fence the entire area to internationally accepted standards, you need to put in full customs facilities including x ray machines etc., you need to build facilities for immigration and the police – the list goes on.
I would guess that the infrastructure facilities would cost another 10-12 million dollars.
Again I stress, I am not coming down hard and fast against the extension to the runway. What I am saying is that I have very real reservations about spending up to $20 million and incurring debt to do so, to extend a runway at one of the most difficult times experienced in an economic sense – for a runway that just might be needed in the future.
Frankly, I believe Air New Zealand provides a fantastic service in to Napier especially in terms of frequency.
What I need is someone to convince me that our air services will improve and an extended runway will be an economic benefit to Hawke’s Bay rather than an economic burden like extended runways have been in other provincial cities.Â
I’m still waiting.
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July 28th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Bill,
My sentements exactly…I agree wholeheartedly with your article.
As you say, the only reason to extend the runway is to future proof the airport for events in 20 years time. Domestically, the most viable aircraft for our regional routes is the turbo-prop aircraft – being more economical to operate ( fuel costs are less ). The length of Napier runway is very adequate for these aircraft. Air New Zealand has just spent a lot of money upgrading its fleet by buying new Q300 turboprop aircraft and they won’t be looking at a replacement for these for 15 or more years. Air New Zealand provides a great service and frequency to the HB with direct flights to AKL, WLG and CHC with connections to other centres. We must also remember that Air NZ’s major shareholder is the government and in a way belonging to the people of NZ, so surely we should support it and the jobs it generates.
I can’t see any financial benefit to the region unless there are more people arriving…. So why does Air NZ still have spare capacity on its services in and out of HB ?
Lets say a jet operater decides to come into HB. What is going to be the frequency? – one flight a day ? The cost of the runway extension for just one jet aircraft a day!! And what will happen to the frequency of Air NZ’s services accordingly.
Now with regard to a Trans-Tasman service…Some locals say it would be great to have flights direct to Australia. Yes, but where ? Some want to go the Perth, others Melbourne, Adelade, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns. So if your direct flight goes to Sydney you will have to get on another flight to your destination. This is using Sydney as a hub. Why not use AKL as a hub as it is today and save Kiwi jobs.
Next issue is who is going to pay for the runway extension ? If you increase landing fees this is firstly penalise the current operators using the airport as they don’t need the extension. The increased fees may also put off a prospective jet operator. Passenger levies or Departure Fees will not be popular with the travelling public especially when they are effectivly paying for a ‘white elephant’ and such measures may result in less passenger volumes.
Most provincial centres which have extended their regional airports have had no economic benefits nor improved services. Hamilton is currently the only centre, which has extended their runway, that has International (Trans-Tasman) flights.
I believe that the proposed runway extension for HB airport is a total waste of money in these times.
August 16th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
agree with you on this one Bill