Airways New Zealand today welcomed the Civil Aviation Authority’s decision that the current Aerodrome Flight Information
Service remain at Milford Sound Piopiotahi Aerodrome.
In May 2020 Airways launched a review of the air traffic services it provides at seven regional airports which had
reducing traffic volumes, including the Milford Sound Piopiotahi Aerodrome.
The purpose of the review has been twofold: to confirm that the right level of Air Traffic Control is provided at the
airports, and that appropriate agreements are in place for funding these services.
Airways CEO Graeme Sumner says “Our goal has been to make sure that there is an evidence-based service in place at all
involved airports that ensures safety remains paramount, without imposing unnecessary cost onto the airlines and other
operators that use the aerodrome.”
The first step in the process has been for involved airports to undertake aeronautical studies to examine their
individual airspace environments.
As operator of the aerodrome, the Ministry of Transport submitted the independent aeronautical study to the Civil
Aviation Authority (CAA). Having reviewed the aeronautical study, the CAA has determined the safe level of service
needed for the aerodrome to operate. This is for the air traffic service in the form of the current Aerodrome Flight
Information Service to remain.
“Airways welcomes the CAA’s decision that the current Aerodrome Flight Information Service remain at Milford Sound
Piopiotahi aerodrome”.
“We will work with the Ministry of Transport to continue providing the service that the CAA requires, and will now enter
into discussions regarding the commercial terms of the service,” Mr Sumner says.