Runway Sealing to Boost Waikato Aviation Cluster Businesses
The Hamilton International Airport has begun works to seal its 650 metre long grass runway. The $780,000 project has been made possible through a $300,000 contribution by the Waikato Aviation Cluster. The sealing project will be completed by mid‐June.
The Waikato Aviation Cluster is a group of over 30 companies representing the region’s aircraft manufacturers, aviation services, aircraft maintenance, pilot training, flight operators and supply chain providers. The Cluster is partially funded by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
Hamilton International Airport Chief Executive, Chris Doak, says the sealing project will allow the airport to cater to the continual growth of airport traffic.
“Statistics just released show the Hamilton International Airport is now the second busiest airport in the country, behind Auckland. Having this grass runway sealed is going to allow us to cater to this traffic, particularly to the general aviation side of our business. An infrastructure company must always respond to the demands of its users and we’re happy to be able to do this for our customers.
“Operationally, it makes sense to seal the runway. The grass runway gets a lot of use, and there is continual maintenance. It is more efficient to seal the area than continue to operate the grass. The Cluster’s funding support has made the project viable,” explains Mr Doak.
Cluster member Chris Evans, General Manager of Hamilton Aero Maintenance, says his business will benefit greatly from the sealing project.
“Around 75% of our customers fly into Hamilton to get maintenance performed on their aircraft. When the runway is closed our customers are inconvenienced by having to wait for other traffic and subsequently have additional flight time. When this happens, there’s always the risk customers could go elsewhere for their maintenance needs.”
“Sealing the runway is going to add to the services the airport can offer our region by making it a more attractive destination for small operators. That’s good for our business as well as others in the Cluster,” explains Mr Evans.
John Jones, Chairman of the Waikato Aviation Cluster Board and CEO of CTC Aviation Training (NZ) Ltd, says sealing the runway removes a barrier to growth for local aviation companies.
“The grass runway gets a lot of use during the year by CTC, the Waikato Aero Club, Hamilton Aero Maintenance and several other businesses and private pilots. Because it is grass, it can’t be used during wet weather. Last year, it was closed for nearly four months, which adversely affected the operations of several businesses.
“CTC, for instance, relies heavily on the grass runway to deliver our airline pilot training programmes. We will have up to 45,000 flying hours this year – more than any other flight training operator in the country. When the grass runway is closed, our training hours back up and our operational efficiency is impeded.
“A sealed runway means CTC can plan for growth and have greater certainty of meeting our training targets,” explains Mr Jones.
The Waikato Aviation Cluster was formed in 2007 and is working to achieve five strategic objectives over the next seven years, including: increasing annual manufacturing output three‐fold; increasing annual pilot training numbers at CTC by seventy five percent; establishing a specialist aircraft paint facility; getting a specialist heat treatment plant up and running; and working to grow the local aviation industry subcontractor community.
‐ENDS
Media Contacts:
John Jones
Waikato Aviation Cluster Chairman
CEO of CTC Aviation Training (NZ) Ltd
john.jones@ctcaviation.com
0275 367 359
Heather Claycomb
HMC Communications
heather@hmc‐communications.co.nz
021 751 051
Chris Doak
Hamilton International Airport
CEO
Chris.doak@hamiltonairport.co.nz
07 848 9027
