Mayors support runway extension

QUESTIONS RAISED: Plans to extend Wellington Airport's runway have been criticised by NZ's airline lobby group. PHOTO/FILE

Wairarapa's mayors remain supportive of a Wellington runway extension despite a lobby group representing airlines in New Zealand heaping criticism on the plan.

Wellington City Council is supporting a $300 million extension project that would allow the airport to handle larger planes flying internationally. The extension is touted as having major economic benefits from boosted tourism, reduced travel times and increased freight loads.

Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand chief executive John Beckett criticised the project in a submission on the council's draft long-term plan, which has set aside $90 million for it.

"The board holds serious concerns over the inadequacy of the economic work by Wellington Airport as the basis for advocating for public investment in an extension of the runway at a cost of $300 million, or more.

"The council should not commit ratepayers' funds to a project to extend the runway at Wellington Airport without a proper cost-benefit analysis having been undertaken."

Mr Beckett said, of its 20 airline members, he knew of none who had expressed an interest in it.

He urged the council to engage directly with airlines on their views on the likelihood of long-haul services.

Last month the Wellington Region Mayoral Forum, which includes Wairarapa's three mayors, agreed in principle to a proposal to cover half the cost of the project.

Masterton mayor Lyn Patterson and Carterton mayor John Booth both said they still supported the project despite the board's concerns.

The forum was looking at the opportunities of an extension, said Mr Booth.

"Our minds have been open ... we are originally supporting a concept, none of the councils have committed any funding whatsoever."

He said all the options and discussions were yet to take place.

"I think it's really early days for them to make that comment."

Mrs Patterson said it was about bringing people on board at this stage. "I think the extension is about the future, it's about the potential."

She said she was not too concerned about the issues raised but it showed everybody needed to be talking about it.

South Wairarapa mayor Adrienne Staples said, without looking at the submission in depth, it didn't concern her.

"It's a long way to go before a spade is dug in the ground.

"The only thing I could say is I know some of the airlines are keen on having a hub out of Auckland, having competing airlines out of Wellington might not be in their interest but it might be for passengers and businesses."

Wellington Airport chief executive Steve Sanderson said he was not surprised the board did not know of international airlines with plans to fly to Wellington.

The airline industry was intensely competitive and association members were in many cases direct competitors, he said.

"It is common for airlines to avoid publicising their future route development plans."Additional reporting NZ Herald.