Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
MP for Maungakiekie

11 October 2013
Media Statement

Smart Approaches flight paths meeting well attended

Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, MP for Maungakiekie, has praised community representatives for their proactive approach in engaging with key stakeholders at a public meeting held last night in Epsom.

The public meeting discussed the Northern “Smart Approaches” flight path trials which have been conducted by Auckland Airport Limited, Airways New Zealand and the Board of Airline Representatives (BARNZ). The trial has affected residents in Maungakiekie as well as neighbouring electorates.

At the meeting Mr Lotu-Iiga outlined actions he has taken to raise the contentious issue of noise and nuisance with decision makers in the trial.

“Since the last public meeting I arranged in September on this issue, I have actively engaged with representatives of Auckland Airport, Airways New Zealand and BARNZ,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“There are currently more questions than answers on the trial. However, I am advised that Auckland Airport intend to distribute information on a wider scale to the community nearer to the end of the trial on 31 October.”

“To address concerns by my constituents for more objective data on noise levels, I have asked the Auckland Airport for the installation of two monitors in affected areas of Oranga and One Tree Hill in my electorate. This is in addition to the monitors installed in Epsom.”

“I have also requested to attend the meeting by the Aircraft Noise Community Consultative Group (ANCCG) on 19 November. This meeting with community representatives will discuss both data and community feedback from the trial”.

Mr Lotu-Iiga said he will actively seek to represent his constituents’ views at the meeting and then give feedback to the community.

A new air traffic management system developed, operated and introduced in April 2013 by Airways was raised at the meeting as a potential contributor to increased noise levels and plane frequencies over the area. The two tools used are the Collaborative Arrivals or Flow Manager (CAM/CAF) and the Arrivals Manager (AMAN).

“I am advised that the AMAN/CAM/CFM tool considers all aircraft flying into Auckland Airport and then sequences them through time management to inter-leave at the runway, removing the bunching factor and delivering a controlled spacing between each flight to the air traffic controllers.”

“Airways have assured me that the new tool has no impact on noise levels”.

“I have nevertheless accepted an invitation to tour the Tower and Oceanic Centre at the Auckland Airport to observe the tool in action. I will be feeding back to the community my observations and learnings from this visit”, Mr Lotu-Iiga advised.

A media release late yesterday afternoon by Airways informs of the end of trial process to include a draft report on the trial which will be available for industry and community feedback in late March 2014. A final report with recommendations is then expected to be issued later in the year.

“I encourage the community to remain vigilant and report their concerns”, Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“I also encourage the community to make submissions when the draft report is released for feedback in 2014. It is important that the final report accurately reflects the hopes, aspirations and concerns of our community.”

“The data collected before and after the trial ends will prove valuable to decision makers deliberating on the future of the trial flight paths. These decision makers are Auckland Airport and Airways New Zealand”, Mr Lotu-Iiga concluded.

People can continue to provide feedback on the SMART approaches trial by calling 09-2568133 anytime or emailing noise@aucklandairport.co.nz.

--ENDS—

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