Editorial: Joint plan can fly at Whenuapai

A joint-use airfield, in which civilian traffic operates alongside military aircraft, has always appealed as the logical use of the Whenuapai Air Base. Evolving in that manner would remedy several weighty problems at once. It is encouraging, therefore, that three councils have become part of a company pursuing that goal and that previously reluctant Defence Force officials are now willing to discuss the prospect.

The North West Airport Company, in which the North Shore City and Rodney District councils have joined forces with Waitakere City and private investor Infratil, envisages budget airlines operating from Whenuapai. Flights would be available to and from Australia and the Pacific Islands, as well as domestic destinations. Standing in the way of take-off at the moment, however, are the need to reconstruct the main runway and the securing of Government approval. There is also opposition from some local residents, although the councils point to a recent regional poll that suggested most people supported the idea of commercial services.

None of these hurdles should be allowed to derail the venture. A joint-use airfield makes sense on the civilian and military fronts, so much so that the Government was seriously negligent two years ago when it sidestepped a decision on Whenuapai's future. Then, it limply declared that it could not make up its mind over whether the base should become a housing estate, an industrial park or Auckland's second commercial airport. The only saving grace of this non-decision was that it allowed time for the joint-use plan to blossom.

Militarily, such usage would create a degree of certainty. Under the shortsighted consolidation of the Air Force at Ohakea, Whenuapai's present occupants are due to shift out, probably in 2014. Development of a joint-use base would mean not only savings on the cost of running the facility until then but ensure it would be available for military operations beyond 2014.

This is of considerable strategic importance. It makes no sense to place the Air Force at one location, thereby rendering it vulnerable to attack. It makes even less sense to remove it from the base closest to the increasingly volatile Asia-Pacific region and this country's area of densest population. Whatever happens with the Air Force, Whenuapai must always be capable of reverting to military use.

On a civilian level, services from Whenuapai would represent a considerable attraction for residents of the rapidly growing north and western suburbs. Whatever the proclaimed benefits of the Western ring route, they face, in the foreseeable future, a drive of up two hours through increasingly congested roads to reach Mangere. Furthermore, it is impossible to predict the region's long-term airport requirements, even if Auckland International Airport says Mangere will suffice for the next 50 years.

Nobody is pretending that civilian operations from Whenuapai would rival those of the current airport. The proponents suggest something on the scale of Wellington Airport and a fit with low-cost airlines. But even this would exert a welcome measure of competitive pressure on Auckland airport. For airlines, this might be reflected in charges; for travellers, there might be more emphasis on convenient transport options to Mangere.

So compelling is the case for a joint-use airfield at Whenuapai the dominoes seem finally to be falling into place. Local authorities can see the benefits for residents and the regional economy, and the Defence Force seems more inclined to acknowledge the military advantages. There is no reason for the Government to stand in the way of a joint-use agreement with the Air Force. The North West Airport Co should take flight.