Christchurch and Hawke’s Bay airports scoop honours

Christchurch and Hawke’s Bay airports scoop honours at New Zealand Airport of the Year awards

Christchurch Airport has been named Interspace New Zealand Major Airport of the Year at the Airport of the Year Awards.

The airport’s chief executive Jim Boult was also named Interspace New Zealand Aviation Personality of the Year at the Beca Awards Dinner held at the New Zealand Airports conference at Marlborough Convention Centre.

The airport also won the Beca Airports Project of the year award which recognises excellence in aviation projects.

Hawke’s Bay Airport in Napier was named Interspace Regional Airport of the Year.

Christchurch Airport completed its ambitious and innovative new terminal building this year and was praised by judges for its commitment to passenger satisfaction, environmental sustainability, aviation safety and reliability – the major criteria for the awards.

The judges also hailed its cost effectiveness for users, tourism travel, trade and aviation business enhancement, the regional and national economic benefits it brings and its excellent stakeholder relationships.

New Zealand Airports Association (NZ Airports) chief executive Kevin Ward said judges had been particularly impressed by the strong elements of innovation and energy efficiency built into the new terminal project.

“In particular, it features three aircraft parking positions that can be used by either international or domestic services – known as ‘swing gates’,” he said.

“High efficiencies and reduced carbon emissions have been achieved by an artesian water heating and cooling system and a ‘Living Wall’ of more than 2,500 plants has been incorporated into the baggage reclaim area.”

Kerry Palmer, Australasian operations manager of awards sponsor Interspace Airport Advertising, said; “We’re very proud to be sponsoring the NZ Airport awards and we congratulate this year’s very worthy winners”.

Mr Ward said Hawke’s Bay Airport’s significant achievements included its Go Green initiative, a long term project to enhance economic, social, cultural and community character throughout the airport’s amenities.

“The airport impressed judges with its emphasis on a green strategy in tandem with its Business Park development,” he said. “The awards criteria specifically identify environmental sustainability as part of the contribution of successful airports.”

Mr Ward said Mr Boult, who completed his tenure as chairman of NZ Airports at the conference, had made a huge contribution to the airport sector.

“Knowing Jim has decided to leave his position at Christchurch Airport at the end of the year has brought to mind how much he will be missed,” he said.

“The depth and breadth of support for Jim as Interspace Airport Personality of the Year was impressive – from right across the aviation, tourism and business sectors, as well as from dozens of his own airport staff. Jim completed his term as chair of NZ Airports at this conference, so the association understands better than most what a loss he will be to the aviation sector.”

John Marsh, General Manager, Airports, Beca Limited said that there had been several excellent submissions for the Project of the Year Award which recognises excellence in aviation projects, taking into consideration technical innovation, customer satisfaction, environmental sustainability ad overall performance.

“Christchurch Airport and its Integrated Terminal Project impressed the judges with its innovation and sustainable features, together with the project resilience demonstrated as construction spanned both 2010 and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes.”

ENDS

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