Taupo Airport says it's safe for flights to continue

Taupo Airport moved today to allay fears it is becoming unsafe .

A Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) report says the airport should have a flight information service to help pilots avoid collisions.

The airport used to have one but it was dropped in 1997 when the airport had only 25,000 flights a year.

That number has since taken off to 43,500 a year and a CAA report has recommended a new information service.

Taupo Airport spokesman Peter Wilson this morning said the airport was safe for flights to keep taking off and landing.

"The CAA have indicated that they are happy that operations can continue under the present arrangements until recommendations of the final report have been considered."

But Mr Wilson told National Radio the report did highlight the need for changes at the airport.

"It certainly does put the (airport) authority on notice that there will be strong likelihood of enhancements being required and we are happy to address that."

The costs of enhancements would have to be decided by the Government and the Taupo District Council and increased landing charges were likely.

The CAA director has not yet accepted the report but is expected to make a decision in the next few months.

An aerodrome flight information service monitors air traffic and conditions, interprets them and reports the information to pilots, enabling them to make decisions on flight paths and landings.

Taupo Airport's Unicom system only relays information to other pilots, rather than making observations and interpreting what is seen.

- NZPA