Event marks start of new runway for Auckland Airport
A whakawaatea (blessing) ceremony by tangatawhenua marked the start of construction on Auckland Airport’s new $32 million northern runway today. Invited guests, staff and tangatawhenua gathered on the site off Ihumatao Rd in Mangere to celebrate this significant event in the airport’s history.
Tangatawhenua, Minister of Transport, Hon Annette King, Manukau City Mayor, Sir Barry Curtis and Auckland Airport Chairman, John Maasland broke the ground at the site in a symbolic gesture marking the works’ commencement.
Located north of and parallel to the existing runway the new runway will be developed in stages eventually to be 2150 metres long as provided under the Manukau District Plan. Stage one of the northern runway is expected to be operational early in 2011 in time for the Rugby World Cup. It will be 1200 metres in length.
“The new runway will create a vibrant hub for domestic airlines and make a significant contribution to tourism and freight growth.” said Auckland Airport Chairman, John Maasland.
“Auckland Airport plays a significant role in the domestic and national economies generating and facilitating some $19 billion worth of value added in the New Zealand economy. It directly or indirectly sustains employment equivalent to 283,000 full time workers annually.
“The new northern runway will provide much needed infrastructure to help sustain projected passenger and freight growth.” He said.
Hon Annette King says "the value of Auckland International Airport to the Auckland region and to New Zealand as a whole should never be underestimated. The airport's performance as the nation's welcome mat is vital to our country's economic success".
The northern runway will initially accommodate general aviation and small, non-jet aircraft. This will free up the capacity of the existing main southern runway. Shifting smaller, slower aircraft operations to the northern runway will enable better use of existing runway and aprons by larger aircraft. The smaller aircraft provide important links to New Zealand’s provincial cities, regional towns and communities.
The need for the new runway was anticipated when the airport location was chosen in 1968. It has been provided for in the Manukau District Plan since the mid-70s and in December 2006 Auckland Airport obtained resource consent to construct the runway at the previously designated site. The runway is also part of Auckland Airport’s Masterplan 2025 – the company’s development strategy for the future.
Caption from L-R: Auckland Airport Chairman, John Maasland, tangatawhenua representative, Ngaire Lasika, Minister of Transport, Hon Annette King and Manukau City Mayor, Sir Barry Curtis breaking ground for Auckland Airport’s northern runway.
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