By ALISON HORWOOD
Aviation authorities will investigate New Zealand airports to see how they measure up to international standards which say runway ends should be longer.
In November last year, the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organisation said international runway end safety areas should increase by 90m to 150m.
Until then, the length had been a recommendation - airports could get away with shorter distances - but has now become a standard. Wellington and Queenstown airports have 60m run-offs.
The Civil Aviation Authority is investigating the new rule and deciding whether millions of dollars need to be spent extending the safety areas.
A technical study group has been meeting to investigate the matter. After consultation, a recommendation will go to Transport Minister Mark Gosche.
He said it is not just a matter of adopting the standard - the legislation is complex and the cost is high.
"Look at Wellington - if we extended the runway 90m into Evans Bay, every environmental group would have something to say about it."
However, he says, it is in everyone's interests to keep airports safe.
Short-runway probe
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