Capital Works Grow Airport Capability

Monday,October 20, 2008.

News Release

Capital Works Grow Airport Capability.

Major capital works at Hamilton International Airport had continued to grow its capability.

This included not only work by the company but also by airport tenants.

Chief executive of Waikato Regional Airport, Chris Doak, speaking at the company’s annual general meeting today said great progress had been made during the year to build capability.

While the major project had been the completion of the $15.5 million terminal redevelopment, the car park had been upgraded to provide 600 sealed car parks at a cost of $750,000.

Projects completed by airport tenants had also grown the airport’s capability with the construction of a flight kitchen and quarantine facility by Air New Zealand in support of full service in-flight catering for international operations.

Eagle Air had built a new hangar facility while the CTC Training Facility had constructed an additional aircraft parking apron.

Expanded duty free arrival and departure stores provided an improved tax-free shopping experience.

During the year the company commissioned BECA Infrastructure to report on the condition and structural assessment of the current runway, apron and taxiway areas.

Findings confirmed that the integrity of the paved surface remained in good condition.

For the future, the company is exploring the viability of extending the runway, currently at 2200m, and an economic benefit study has been commissioned.

This will look at the benefits to the region of new international and domestic routes and the impact of increased services.

The outcome of the study will form the basis for the development of a business case for any major investment in the aeronautical assets.

Meanwhile, Mr Doak said the Waipa District Council had given the green light to rezoning of airport land to enable development of Titanium Park, a major commercial and industrial estate involving some 117 hectares of land bordering the airport’s aeronautical assets.

The development was a joint venture with McConnell Property and designed to house a balanced mix of commercial, industrial, manufacturing and aviation enterprises.

ENDS

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