New Zealand Aviation NEWS: Air NZ commuter flights set for takeoff

SKY'S THE LIMIT: Paraparaumu Airport manager Heather Woodcock with plans for the $750 million redevelopment.

Air New Zealand has the green light to provide a service between Paraparaumu and Auckland from October.

The airline's subsidiary, Air Nelson, will operate 18 return weekday flights and three return weekend trips, using 50-seater Bombardier Q300 aircraft. Flights will take 70 minutes, compared with about an hour from Wellington.

Air NZ will not give details of the cost of flights until mid-year.

Otaki MP Nathan Guy said the service would have 100,000 potential customers from Porirua to Levin, and tie in with improvements to road and rail services under way on the Kapiti Coast.

Paraparaumu Airport owner Sir Noel Robinson said yesterday he was delighted that, after five years of Resource Management Act negotiations and other regulatory processes, Air NZ had finally given its approval.

"It will put Kapiti Coast firmly on the map. This opens the Kapiti Coast up to local and international travellers and provides Wellington with a second airport.

"If an earthquake like the one that devastated Christchurch hit Wellington, the capital city could be cut off."

Opposition to the 10 to 15-year, $750-million airport redevelopment, which includes an adjoining business park, was battled out in the Environment Court, and fiery local public meetings over the past five years drew up to 400 people.

Descendants of the original airport land owners lobbied strongly for compensation or for land to be offered back after the Government sold the 127-hectare block for $1.6m to Murray Cole and three other local businessman in 1995.

A further blow to the airport's plans was delivered last year by the Civil Aviation Authority, which ruled that a staffed flight information service was needed before the Air NZ flights could begin.

The airport plans to immediately begin an upgrade to include the flight information service.

Airport company director Steve Bootten said it was also hoping to attract other sub-regional airlines to connect with the new service.

About 60 car parks will be developed at the Koru St entrance.

Small operator air2there will continue to provide flights to Nelson, Blenheim and Wellington from the airport and Helipro has a flying school for planes and helicopters based there.

The first stage of Kapiti Landing Business Park is on track, with an 8700sqm Mitre 10 store due to open in March.

Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan congratulated Sir Noel and the airport company for their perseverance through the long regulatory process.

"The airport redevelopment and the introduction of commercial flights is hugely positive for Paraparaumu and the Kapiti Coast region."

Kapiti Coast Chamber of Commerce chairman Mark Ternent said daily flights to Auckland would provide better work and leisure options for people living in Kapiti and from Tawa to Levin.

"The airport will be a regional asset, helping take the load off Wellington Airport, which is congested at peak hours."

A service from Paraparaumu to Wairarapa and Auckland was started more than 10 years ago, but failed to attract enough passengers.

What's Next?

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Fulton Hogan will start work on a $2 million project to reseal the main runway mid-February

Airport company PAL has lodged a resource consent application to build a $700,000 terminal, accompanied by 60 car parks, planned to be built over the next 6 months

Work is also about to start on $600,000 worth of runway lighting and navigational equipment upgrades. Contracts have been let to Radiola

PAL is working with Airways NZ for the training and recruitment of flight information service operators

The name of the airport will be changed from Paraparaumu Airport to Kapiti Coast Airport.

NEHA JAIN

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