Airport plan could be stymied

Plans for a commercial airport at New Zealand’s largest military base could be heavily affected by a recent court decision on noise restrictions.

The Environment Court ruled against late-night testing of aircraft engines at Whenuapai Airbase following a complaint from property developers Neil Construction Ltd.

The court ruled the aircraft noise, particularly engine testing, from the airport was excessive and in breach of the Resource Management Act (RMA).

Independent aviation commentator Irene King said that decision would restrict Air New Zealand’s plans to turn the airbase into Auckland’s second commercial airport.

But that rested on whether the New Zealand Defence Force would appeal the decision, King said. The Defence Force had 20 days since the court ruling to consider an appeal.

‘‘What the military do or don’t do will impact on Air NZ capacity to operate out of Whenuapai,’’ King said.

The effect could mean fewer flights in and out of the potential Whenuapai Airport, she said.

Air NZ said it could initially operate 10 domestic services a day from Whenuapai from planes like A320s or smaller, during business hours.

It had plans to use Whenuapai simultaneously as both a military and commercial airport.

King said most commercial airports were allowed to emit a certain amount of noise at different times of the day, which were called abatement measures.

Unlike commercial airports, which allow engine run-ups that do not count towards its abatement measures, the airbase’s engine testing at Whenuapai did.

According to the Defence Force, engine testing is a necessary operation and helps in its ability to conduct search and rescue, and disaster relief operations outside of commercial office hours.

King said if the Defence Force did not appeal, the minister could exercise his powers under the national security provision and issue a certificate that would trump the RMA.