NZ Auckland Airport:Whenuapai Airport Plan Has No Benefit

Tuesday January 20, 11:44 AM 

NZ Auckland Airport:Whenuapai Airport Plan Has No
Benefit
Yahoo News

WELLINGTON (Dow Jones)--Auckland International Airport
(AIA.NZ), New Zealand's main visitor gateway, Tuesday
said the option of operating a second commercial
airport at the Whenuapai Airbase wouldn't provide much
benefit to the Auckland economy. 

The New Zealand airforce, which currently uses the
Whenuapai airport, is expected to consolidate its
operations at another base over a 5-year period. The
government is currently reviewing the long-term future
of the 311 hectares of land to be vacated. 

"We all know Auckland faces infrastructure problems
but airports are not one of them," said Auckland
Airport Chief Executive Don Huse in a submission on
the potential future use of the Whenuapai Airbase. 

"The value of the Whenuapai site is such that an
airport would not be the economically optimal use of
the site," he said. 

"The sale of Whenuapai for a purpose other than a
commercial airport would yield higher proceeds for the
(government)." 

Auckland Airport said it enlisted the services of
specialist consultants to provide an alternative plan
for Whenuapai. 

The future use of the land has attracted keen interest
since Infratil Ltd. (A.IFT), a New Zealand
infrastructure investor, indicated that it is
interested in Whenuapai for the possible development
of a second commercial airport in the city. 

In April last year, Infratil and the Waitakere City
Council signed a memorandum of understanding to work
together on the development of the land and
facilities. 

Huse said a second airport would unnecessarily
duplicate existing infrastructure, and cause confusion
and complications at Auckland Airport. Furthermore,
significant resources would be needed to establish a
second airport, he said. 

A second airport wouldn't reduce the traffic
congestion on Auckland roads, but result in
"criss-crossing" of cars, Huse said. 

"Auckland International Airport presents no current or
future capacity constraints in terms of airspace,
consents, runways or curfews," Huse said. "A second
commercial airport based at Whenuapai is not
necessary." 

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