26 January 2011

Paraparaumu Airport Ltd (PAL) and Air NZ are pleased to announce that commercial flights from Paraparaumu Airport and Auckland are scheduled to commence Monday 24 October 2011.

The service will be operated by Air Nelson, a subsidiary of Air NZ. The flights will utilize a Bombardier Q300 aircraft seating 50 passengers and will start with 18 return flights per week between Paraparaumu to Auckland. It is expected that further services will be considered in the future.

Airport owner Sir Noel Robinson was delighted that after 5 years of RMA negotiations and other regulatory processes the Airport redevelopment plans were now well under way.

Sir Noel said “the first stage of the Airport’s Kapiti Landing Business Park is on track with the much anticipated March 2011 opening of the 8,700sqm Mitre10 Mega store. Most importantly the resumption of scheduled commercial services, which has always been the underlying objective of the airport redevelopment, is also now underway. I am absolutely thrilled that this vision for Kapiti will now become a reality”

There is a great deal to be done to improve the airport facilities to accommodate the Air NZ flights which will require a multi-million dollar investment by PAL. The aviation investment includes a resurfacing of the main runway by Fulton Hogan commencing February 2011 and the upgrading of the runway lighting and navigational aids which will be undertaken by Radiola. There will be the introduction of further airspace safety controls through a Aircraft Flight Information Service (AFIS) which will be will be operated by Airways NZ. The construction for a new “Kapiti Coast themed” Airport terminal and car park will also get under shortly using local contractors.

Local Mayor Jenny Rowan said “I congratulate PAL and Sir Noel for his perseverance through the long regulatory process, without a doubt the Airport redevelopment and introduction of commercial flights is hugely positive for Paraparaumu and the wider Kapiti Coast region, I urge our residents to fully support and patronize the air services which we have waited for so long.”

Local MP for Otaki Nathan Guy also welcomed the announcement and said, “the introduction of these commercial flights complements the exciting transport infrastructure developments on the Kapiti Coast – the double tracking and electrification of passenger rail to Waikanae is complete. The expressway plans including Transmission gully with an interchange at Kapiti road is great news for the airport and the local community. This airport development will help drive real regional economic growth.”

ENDS

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