Pilots give backing to southern airport

Pilots have welcomed plans to build a new airport in Central Otago.

NZ Air Line Pilots Association president Andrew Ridling said the Tarras site appeared to have good approaches and would be a good alternative to Dunedin and Queenstown, which were among the three most challenging airports in the country. Wellington is also ranked by pilots as difficult in some conditions.

“This could be a good alternative, I’d be interested to know how they could fund it,” he said.

Christchurch Airport has already spent $45 million buying up land at Tarras. So far it has bought about 750ha it says provides space for a 2200m runway and terminal.

Although aimed at domestic and transtasman flights, the airport would be capable of handling widebody aircraft on long-haul routes.

Christchurch Airport chief executive Malcolm Johns said his company would now consult locals, some of whom had voiced opposition.

Ridling, an Air New Zealand Dreamliner captain, said Queenstown would continue to face limits to its expansion when flying returned to pre-Covid levels and there was strong local opposition to extending the airport at Wanaka.

He said experience was vital to fly into Queenstown: “As an airline, we’ve probably had more issues with Dunedin because it takes you by surprise. With Wellington, the wind is straight up and down the runway. Queenstown can be very tricky with wind direction around the hills.”

The site at Tarras could face opposition from those worried about noise but another option in the lower South Island would be welcome.

“These airports need a bit of a tune-up. Competition is a good thing,” said Ridling.

Air NZ has said that the proposal “deserves consideration”. while other airports say the area is well served already.

Tarras locals have raised concerns about fog and winds in the area.