Safety at airport the main consideration

Kapiti’s regional councillor Nigel Wilson says in the current debate regarding the future status of Paraparaumu Airport safetly must be the guiding principle.

“The airport is a very import strategic aviation asset for the region. It is a common occurrence for the Westpac Rescue service to be leaving and landing at the airport. It is also a great pilot training ground and there are already commercial flights operating. “There are 46,000 aircraft movements a year at Paraparaumu Airport so the need for a staffed Control Tower at the airport is not an unreasonable requirement, in fact it is essential.”

Mr Wilson said if the airport developers must pay more to secure the safety of the airport then they must bite the bullet and do it. “The safety of passengers and residents must not be compromised. “This is said to be a $450 million dollar development. The cost of a staffed tower must always have been a consideration. This news should not have surprised anyone. This is not the wild west. Airport safety is paramount,” said Mr Wilson.

ENDS