But it has had no overnight air traffic control abilities, meaning aircraft unable to land at either of those two cities must fly a long way to land safely.<\/p>\n
The likes of this P-8A Poseidon landing at RNZAF Base \u014chakea might, in 18 months, have the more frequent company of jumbo jets. Photo \/ RNZAF, Flight Sergeant Sam Shepherd<\/p>\n
\u201cAirlines operating to New Zealand are delighted,\u201d said Cath O\u2019Brien, Board of Airline Representatives (Barnz) executive director.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaking \u014chakea capable around the clock is something that really will unlock tourism growth … but also operational confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
O\u2019Brien said she was confident Airways NZ, the air traffic control agency, could deliver what was being asked of it.<\/p>\n
\u014chakea may rarely or never be needed, but the benefits of knowing it could be used might outweigh the costs of staffing it.<\/p>\n
The relevant air traffic control system is not yet available overnight. Photo \/ Warren Buckland<\/p>\n
In September last year, Meager made \u014chakea\u2019s full-time availability as an alternate runway<\/a> part of the Aviation Action Plan.<\/p>\n The Ministry of Transport, Airways, the Defence Force and MBIE were told to work together on achieving that by December of this year.<\/p>\n Although that deadline may not be reached, O\u2019Brien said the progress announced today was positive.<\/p>\n She said an accident, animals on a runway, remedial work or adverse weather could make Auckland or Christchurch unavailable for widebody aircraft.<\/p>\n And \u014chakea has been available to airlines as an alternate runway only between 5am and 10.30pm.<\/p>\n It was important for the Air Force base to be available at all times, O\u2019Brien told the Herald.<\/p>\n \u201cIf an aircraft is planning to take off from Dubai and fly to Auckland, if Christchurch is unavailable … New Zealand is not plannable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u014chakea would be a \u201cgas and go destination\u201d, she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would just get gassed up and go to the most appropriate place.\u201d<\/p>\n She said even if passenger planes rarely needed the Manawat\u016b runway, that did not mean paying for staff to be there 24\/7 was pointless.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have air traffic control at many airports around New Zealand, and it\u2019s not necessarily used at every minute of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n O\u2019Brien said even Boeing 747s and Airbus A380s<\/a> could land at \u014chakea.<\/p>\n And the base had plenty of space for multiple aircraft to park, she said.<\/p>\n \u201cAircraft can carry less fuel and fly these routes with full passenger and freight loads,\u201d Meager said today.<\/p>\n \u201cThis directly benefits our tourism operators, exporters and regional economies and is yet another example of how we are fixing the basics and building the future.\u201d<\/p>\n The Aviation Action Plan said enhancing \u014chakea\u2018s availability would ensure New Zealand could stay \u201dopen for business\u201d at all times.<\/p>\n