Airport begins run-up to runway extension

Nelson Airport is planning to extend its runway by more than 150 metres within the next 10-15 years.

Airport chief executive Mark Thompson said in a statement that Nelson Airport’s 1347m long runway was one of the shortest in the world for the types of aircraft using it. The airport had signalled a need for a longer runway for some time in annual reports and other documents, and was beginning a ‘‘community conversation’’ about the proposed extension.

Development of the runway is not expected to take place for another 10 to 15 years.

Thompson said the length of the runway currently limited the weight capacity (including both passengers and cargo) of aircraft coming into Nelson, a limitation that was further affected by weather conditions.

‘‘That obviously has an impact on the viability of flying in and out of Nelson for our operators,’’ he said.

The current runway could also prove too short to cater to lowemission aircraft which operators may use in the future.

Thompson said extending the runway from 1347m to 1510m would remove the current weight restrictions, cater for future lowemission aircraft, and meet ‘‘the highest international safety standards with the introduction of obstacle-free buffer zones at each end of the runway’’.

Nelson Airport will ask Nelson City Council to amend its planning provisions for the airport, but Thompson said information would be shared with neighbours who may be affected first.

‘‘This is just the start of a conversation that we’ll be having with the community about our proposals. Once we submit our request to the council, there will also be formal avenues for people to make submissions, but in the meantime we’re very open to answering questions and taking any feedback that people wish to share.’’