KEY POINTS:
Businesses around Auckland Airport say they will welcome a takeover of the airport - provided it is a sound business decision.
Middle East company Dubai Aerospace Enterprise has made a $2.6 billion offer for a controlling stake in the airport, which has sparked controversy over whether strategic assets should be sold to overseas interests.
At least three other companies are expected to table bids before shareholders vote on the Dubai bid in November.
As well as the airport, a company that takes over would become a landlord to businesses employing more than 16,000 people and contributing some $4 billion to the economy every year. The largest single industry is freight.
Rosemary Dawson, executive director of the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation, said the airport's expansion plans were integral to freight companies' operations.
Some had already moved to Manu Tapu Drive in preparation for the planned second runway, due to get under way by 2010.
"Who owns the airport and the land is not a major issue," Ms Dawson said. "And if they look to invest and improve then we would welcome that. It's a business decision and if it's right we have no problem with ownership."
The 1300 hectares of land at the airport has the capacity for significant increases in freighter operations.
The manager of one freight forwarding company admitted yesterday there was some trepidation about a proposed takeover.
"It's relevant to our core operations of importing and exporting, but on top of that we are all tenants of the airport company on their land. Everything is affected - from security issues to rent so it's fair to say we are watching developments closely."
Business land adjacent to the airport has also grown to become an important employment node in its own right.
And again there is room - and current plans - for massive expansion.
Over the next five to 10 years, the business park and commercial park - which stand opposite each other across George Bolt Memorial Drive - will become the airport's main clusters of business.
A further six hectares to the north of the proposed northern runway are also being developed for commercial interests. Planning for a second stage of the Airport Shopping Centre is also under way.
Michael Barnett, chief executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, said the fact that the airport was being bid for by an overseas investor would make little difference to businesses.
"New Zealand built up trade from its very beginnings by attracting offshore management," he said.
Potential benefits from the sale of the airport outweighed any negatives as far as business was concerned.
The takeover would bring more visitors and an opportunity to join a worldwide network of highly competitive air transport centres.
"[DAE] is not a passive investor, but an organisation which is bringing skills to the table on the basis it will improve and enhance what's already there," Mr Barnett said.
"From the business perspective, you relish that potential."
