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A plan to bring transtasman flights to Hawkes Bay has been approved. But travellers will be asked to chip in $5 each to help fund the $9.2 million runway extension project that would allow for international flights.
The Hastings District Council met yesterday and approved in principle the runway extension plan and a long-term development plan put forward by the Hawkes Bay Airport Authority.
It also approved a $5 levy for passengers leaving the airport to help fund development of the runway extension to 1.9km. The levy was not, however, expected to be enforced until next year.
On top of the extension costs, up to $6 million would also be needed to install customs and security systems to handle international passengers.
The plan would also need the nod from Napier City Council, which with Hastings and the Government is a joint venture partner in the airport.
The Napier council will hear details of the development plan and how the runway extension could be funded early next year.
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said the project would not go ahead until the airport was corporatised, which he expected the Government to agree to in February.
Today, Mr Yule, Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott and Maori representatives would travel to Wellington to meet Minister of Transport Annette King and ask: "What's the hold-up?"
Mr Yule said part of the land needed for the extension was owned by Landcorp and subject to a Treaty of Waitangi claim, but Maori representatives supported the project and were interested in a lease agreement with the airport.
Hawkes Bay Airport general manager Nigel Sutton and airport authority chairman Stuart McKinlay met with the council yesterday to talk about funding the project.
He said the new airport company, formed after corporatisation, should be able to fund the runway extension from retained earnings, but the development levy would also be needed.
-Hawke's Bay Today
