Airport upgrade in response to city growth

Tauranga Airport manager Ray Dumble said the upgrade would allow the city to continue to grow.

Tauranga Airport will receive a $4.5 million upgrade to make space for the increasing number of passersby flying in and out.

Tauranga City Councillors yesterday voted unanimously to bring forward a project to upgrade the airport in response to the city's growth but said the changes would not require additional ratepayer funding.

Included in the upgrade will be an extension to the baggage collection, baggage make up, check-in areas, Koru lounge and departure lounge.

Continued crowding and congestion during peak airport times would be addressed to improve passenger experience and remove some health and safety issues.

Further car parking areas will be planned and budgeted for in 2016.

Future issues such as the improvement of the current aviation security and more overnight parking would be included.

Tauranga Airport manager Ray Dumble said he was happy with the upgrade being pushed forward to 2016/17.

Instead of what it would do for Tauranga Airport, Mr Dumble said "it's what it'll do for the city".

"It's an enabler for the city to grow and improve our connectivity," Mr Dumble said.

Tourism Bay of Plenty head of marketing and communication Kristin Dunne said a key aspect of increasing tourism was to ensure easy access to the region.

"The Tauranga airport is a critical link, particularly for international tourists, and making our airport as easy and pleasurable to connect to from international flights is critical to growing our visitor numbers," Ms Dunne said.

Ms Dunne said Tourism Bay of Plenty hoped the airport upgrade would have a positive effect on other sectors in Tauranga.

"Investment in tourism infrastructure, like the airport, leads to increased investment across the tourism industry as a flow-on effect and this flow-on is very positive for our visitors also," she said.

Ms Dunne was also hopeful the upgrade would prompt Air New Zealand to increase the frequency of flights and aircraft size, as well allowing for greater competition between airlines.

Tauranga Airport user Aly Khorasanee questioned the upgrade and said he liked the airport the way it was now.

"I wonder what is going to happen, will it get busier?"

Mr Khorasanee and his family travel through the airport about three times a year.

Councillor Bev Edlin said the upgrade would be needed to get Tauranga "up to speed".

The estimated cost would be $4.5 million, with the balance funded from the airport's existing cash balances.

The council had $2.1 million of funding in the long-term plan for airport projects to be used in 2017/18 and 2022/23.

This was brought forward to be used in the 2016/17 annual plan.

Up to $2.4 million of the Airport's cash balance will also be used to upgrade the Tauranga Airport.