Airport extension delayed

A decision on whether Rotorua Airport may proceed with its extension plans to allow for transtasman flights has been delayed.

The delay has disappointed airport managers who say it will cost both the airport and Rotorua through loss of potential revenue.

A decision had been expected by Christmas following three months of deliberations by independent commissioners determining whether the extension to the southern end of the runway should get the go-ahead.

They heard submissions in September from those for and against the proposal.

However Rotorua District Council environmental services director Nigel Wharton says he now doesn't expect a decision for another two months.

The commissioners are expected to reconvene the airport hearing on the evening of February 22 and will also sit the following day.

Mr Wharton said he understood the commission was still clarifying some of the issues around their pending decision.

"In the course of their deliberations they have identified a number of matters on which they need further guidance from the council and airport company," Mr Wharton said.

Rotorua Regional Airport Ltd chairman Neil Oppatt said news the decision had been delayed further was "disappointing".

He said the delays were holding up potential development, which meant the airport was losing profit it could potentially have been gaining from international flights. That meant the city was missing out on the economic impact of the extra visitors and bed nights, he said.

The Rotorua District Council applied for resource consent to extend the runway 487m to the south end, nearest the city, to allow for transtasman flights. Nearby land would require rezoning. The Independent commissioners have been considering the proposal since hearing submissions in September.

"It does delay things. The sooner we can extend the sooner we can get international flights," Mr Oppatt said.

Delays would also affect construction which was likely to get more expensive the longer the process dragged on, he said.

While the airport company was "always" talking with airlines, it was frustrating not to be able to tell them whether the extension had approval or not and when any redevelopment would be finished.

"It's pretty hard for airlines to get excited without a date."

Mr Oppatt said if the company got the go-ahead "fairly soon" and there were no appeals to the Environment Court, the runway extension should be finished within about 18 months.

Those who support a transtasman airport have said it is crucial for the future growth of tourism as well as the forestry and agricultural sectors. A swag of submissions called for plans to be suspended for at least two years so land owners and local iwi could fully investigate the impact.

More than 500 people signed submission in support of the runway extension, while 296 were against it.