An end to antiquated check-in facilities and dusty runways could be in sight after a consultant's report on upgrading Taupo Airport facilities.
The report, by consultants Beca Carter Hollings and Ferner, reviewed the airport's facilities. It says it could cost up to $900,000 to upgrade the airport's runways, taxiways, check-in facilities and carparking.
It came after airport manager Roy Marsden told the council's corporate services committee meeting in March that increasing use of the airport meant better facilities were needed.
The airport has a sealed 1386m main runway and a 731m grass airstrip used mainly by light aircraft.
The report found the main runway was satisfactory but the taxiway alongside the northern part of it was not wide enough and was too close to the runway.
South of the terminal where there was no taxiway light aircraft taxied from the main runway to their parking positions following no specific route, which was "not a satisfactory situation".
The grass runway, which handled about 80 per cent of the traffic has had its grass surface worn away, creating a dust nuisance. Aircraft also taxied to and from it in an uncontrolled manner.
The report proposed sealing the grass runway and providing a taxiway, either in marked grass or light-duty seal.
Inside the terminal, antiquated check-in facilities meant lengthy waits for international passengers because bags had to be manually handled. The check-in counter area could be redesigned to accommodate a simple baggage conveyor system and updated weighing scales at a cost of $40,000.
The current carpark was also unable to service peak period demand and the report proposed providing an additional 30 carparks.
Taupo District Council corporate services committee chairman Joe Keehan said the council intended to make the suggested improvements, and a submission to the annual plan process for the $365,000 cost of extending the taxiway and sealing the grass runway would be made.
But check-in facilities and extra carparks would probably have to wait.
At this stage there was no intention to increase runway length but the terminal certainly had to be looked at in the next 10 years, Cr Keehan said.
The airport is jointly owned by the Taupo District Council and the Crown.
- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)
Taupo airport in need of upgrade
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