Public embraces airport's open day

More than 11,000 people visited the Rotorua Airport for its 50th anniversary celebrations and to support the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter. Photo/Ben Fraser

Rotorua Airport officials were overwhelmed with visitors as the airport celebrated its 50th anniversary with an open day.

Airport business development manager Anna Rodgers said more than 11,000 people visited the airport between 11am and 3pm yesterday.

"We had an amazing turnout, we sort of thought we may get 5000, but we have been blown away by the support. The public were just fantastic and were really keen to learn about what goes on out here and gave some great support to the BayTrust rescue helicopter appeal.

"Everyone has been extremely generous and there were lots of happy people."

Mrs Rodgers said a Rotorua girl won two return tickets to Sydney to be used before the end of next month, but she wasn't there when the prize was drawn and would be told in the coming days of her win.

She said flights on the historic DC3 also sold out and there were queues for the free bus from the city.

"Some of the highlights were the armed offenders squad demonstration with their dogs and smoke bombs and the water arch by the airport fire crews for the arrival of the DC3."

Earlier in the day, official formalities were undertaken with a welcome by Te Arawa hapu Ngati Uenukukopako to start proceedings. This was followed with speeches by Airport Board chairman Ray Cook, Airport chief executive Alastair Rhodes, Rotorua MP Todd McClay and an art dedication by Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick.

Mr Rhodes said: "We wanted to invite the public through the gates so they could learn more about what goes on at their airport, including some of the areas that are normally tightly secure."

The day featured displays by BayTrust Rescue Helicopter, Customs, New Zealand Fire Service, the Coastguard, AVSEC, Rotorua Airport Fire Service and an Air Force helicopter.

An Air Force Orion, which was scheduled to visit on the day, was called on to help in the search for the missing Malaysian Airlines jet.