All go for longer runway

The $6 million plan to extend Hawke's Bay Airport's runway is just a few signatures away from becoming reality, opening up the chance for domestic airline competition.
The airport board said today work to extend the runway from 1310m to 1750m could begin in May 2010 and be completed a year later.
It would allow for medium-sized jet aircraft and would also include reconfiguration of the airport terminal for domestic screening and a full-scale security fence.
Airport board chairman John Palairet said the project was still subject to "formal approval" by the airport's shareholders, Napier city and Hastings district councils as well as the Government.
The councils were due to meet in the next few weeks to sign off on the project while State Owned Enterprise Minister Simon Power would also have to give his formal approval.
"It has all yet to be formally approved but you could say we are confident," Mr Palairet said.
Tenders for the runway extension would go out early next year. Work on a new commercial business park would also begin beside the airport.
"The design consultation (of the runway) is under way and we expect to review it before Christmas," Mr Palairet said.
Once the design and likely costs had been determined, the board would finalise a business case.
"It's important we now begin work on a co-ordinated approach to promotion of the region which is around the whole tourism industry," Mr Palairet said.
He said the runway extension was the first step in attracting commercial jets.
"There could be a long lead time before an airline might wish to come here but we certainly will be making those approaches over the next few months to gauge early interest," he said.
Runway extension advocate Simon Nixon hoped the board would look at extending the runway to 1900m soon to allow transTasman flights.
"The extension is good, it will make it jet-capable and will allow another airline in for domestic services to Hawke's Bay.
"We have been seriously disadvantaged over the past several years because, while other cities have had airports which are jet capable, Hawke's Bay has not.
"It is better late than never, but long term, it would be essential for the runway to go to 1900m."
Tukituki and Napier MPs Craig Foss and Chris Tremain said promoting the runway extension in Parliament had been a priority for them.
"Our joint goal has been to ensure the extension would happen before the Rugby World Cup," Mr Foss said.