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A long-awaited change will make the Ohakea Air Force base available full-time for the world’s biggest passenger aircraft.
It is a move airlines have been pushing for, and the minister responsible for aviation has agreed to make it a priority.
An extended air traffic control service is expected to beoperational within 18 months.
New air traffic control staff will be recruited and trained, which will cost $4.57 million over two years, Associate Minister of Transport James Meager said today.
The Air Force base 22km northwest of Palmerston North has the country’s third-largest runway after Auckland and Christchurch.
But it has had no overnight air traffic control abilities, meaning aircraft unable to land at either of those two cities must fly a long way to land safely.
The likes of this P-8A Poseidon landing at RNZAF Base Ōhakea might, in 18 months, have the more frequent company of jumbo jets. Photo / RNZAF, Flight Sergeant Sam Shepherd
“Airlines operating to New Zealand are delighted,” said Cath O’Brien, Board of Airline Representatives (Barnz) executive director.
“Making Ohakea capable around the clock is something that really will unlock tourism growth ... but also operational confidence.”
“It would just get gassed up and go to the most appropriate place.”
She said even if passenger planes rarely needed the Manawatū runway, that did not mean paying for staff to be there 24/7 was pointless.
“We have air traffic control at many airports around New Zealand, and it’s not necessarily used at every minute of the day.”
O’Brien said even Boeing 747s and Airbus A380s could land at Ohakea.
And the base had plenty of space for multiple aircraft to park, she said.
“Aircraft can carry less fuel and fly these routes with full passenger and freight loads,” Meager said today.
“This directly benefits our tourism operators, exporters and regional economies and is yet another example of how we are fixing the basics and building the future.”
The Aviation Action Plan said enhancing Ohakea‘s availability would ensure New Zealand could stay ”open for business” at all times.
John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation and court. He has previously covered consumer affairs, crime, politics and courts.
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