Forum Archive Index - May 2001

[Greg <g&jelliott@xtra.co.nz>]

Title: Re: [sharechat] AIA

Michael,

Govt has asked Defence to study the possibility of making Whenuapai (and Ohakea) joint civil/military airfields, as part of the defence changes publicly announced this week.

In principle, there is little reason why civil and military aircraft cannot co-exist. Woodbourne at Blenheim is an RNZAF training and maintenance Base, owned by Defence, but leased to the Marlborough Airport Company. Skyhawks and other military aircraft operate alongside the Bandits, Metros etc. The practice is common in Australia (RAAF Base Williamtown - Newcastle airport) and elsewhere. Light (general aviation) aircraft already use Whenuapai for training and recreation, mainly at the weekend.

The question is whether any civil users are sufficiently interested?

North Shore and West Auckland would probably value a closer airport, for freight and pax, saving the drive to Mangere. But it would probably not be commercially viable for feeder services to operate over so short a distance, and would add to traffic in/out of Mangere.  

Alternatively, commercial users could operate out of Whenuapai instead of Mangere, but they would need to duplicate or expand passenger handling facilities, arrange for customs/immigration (international flts), make additional arrangements for maintenance and refueling etc. The existing facilities are quite spartan. They would also be adding to the local noise (resource consent might need to be gained if there is a substantial change in traffic volumes, depending on how the Whenuapai area is zoned). 

I'm not sure whether Whenuapai meets CAA requirements for civil commercial operations. Alot of work had to be done at Ohakea, when Air NZ entered an arrangement with RNZAF to nominate the airfield as an alternate for international arrivals. This involved moving the runway sidelights further out, so they didn't get smashed by debris from wide body engine pods etc. Probably wouldn't be needed for smaller commuter aircraft.

A major factor is that the Whenuapai runways are old and quite run down. This already affects RNZAF operations, as sections are having to be continually repaired. Someone would have to pay for this. And the Whenuapai runway does not have the same length or load bearing as Mangere, so its not suitable for international flights anyway. RNZAF Boeings, if requiring to operate with a full load, have to shuttle across to Mangere to use the longer runway. The Whenuapai runway might not be currently suited for heavy international operations.

Not that it is impossible - the question is more is it viable (for the commercial sector), particularly when there are already established facilities at Mangere, plus expansion plans with the second runway. And all of this is only minutes flying time away. So any attraction for civil operators is probably weighted towards Mangere. Auckland just needs to sort out its roading infrastructure!!
> From: "Michael Gore" <michgore@paradise.net.nz>
> Reply-To: sharechat@sharechat.co.nz
> Date: Wed, 9 May 2001 13:26:08 +1200
> To: <sharechat@sharechat.co.nz>
> Subject: [sharechat] AIA

> Would anyone have any comment on the possibility of Whenuapai being used as a second commercial airport in Auckland and possible effect on AIA?  I'm thinking that this would be very unlikely, am I correct?  michael