Auckland airport snubs fuel proposals

AUCKLAND International Airport shareholder Peter Wakemen is seeking support for three proposals to safeguard the company from any future fuel supply disruption.

Mr Wakemen also wants to cut carbon emissions and to lobby the government to use so-called “debt-free money” to fund climate initiatives.

Auckland Airport’s board of directors does not support the proposals ahead of its annual general meeting on October 26.

Mr Wakeman wants Auckland Airport to investigate ways jet fuel could be unloaded from a ship via a pipeline to holding tanks on airport grounds, which could be used by any company which supplies fuel to required standards.

The board, however, shot down the idea.

“[Our] review will balance various factors, including risk, resilience, economic viability, as well as environmental factors associated with the various transportation and fuel storage options,” the board said in a statement.

Mr Wakeman is also asking the company to investigate other ways to reduce CO2 emissions and support the use of “debt-free money”, rather than using the proceeds from tax or debt to banks.

But the board was again unmoved on the proposals, saying significant measures were in place to address Mr Wakeman’s issues.