This will also enable any further extension of the runway in the future, should it be needed to offer long-haul flights, the airport said.<\/p>\n
Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan said the extension would increase the airport\u2019s and region\u2019s resilience by allowing wide-body jets to land in Hamilton in exceptional circumstances, like adverse events or emergencies.<\/p>\n
It was not to cater for daily services.<\/p>\n
Morgan said the airport has been working with K\u0101noa \u2013 the Government\u2019s regional economic development and investment unit \u2013 on a formal resilience proposal since July 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the last 18 months, ministers representing the coalition Government have been very receptive to discussions around a more resilient national aviation network, and the role Hamilton could play.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe think it\u2019s a smart move and a very sensible investment with national benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones said Hamilton\u2019s location and proximity to major highways and link roads made the airport \u201ca key hub\u201d for moving people and freight domestically and internationally.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the event of disruptions at other North Island airports, Hamilton Airport is also an option to keep people and goods moving. Such incidents do occur from time to time. Last April, an international flight had to be diverted from Auckland to Hamilton due to bad weather.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hamilton\u2019s acting mayor, Geoff Taylor, said the extension was \u201ca significant win\u201d for the city and region.<\/p>\n
It reflected the city\u2019s fast\u2011growing population, strategic location, and reputation.<\/p>\n
Hamilton acting mayor Geoff Taylor.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt positions us to move more people and freight as we grow, accommodate alternative landing needs for larger aircraft, and strengthen Hamilton and the Waikato\u2019s position as a national aviation hub.\u201d<\/p>\n
Waip\u0101 Mayor Mike Pettit said the upgrade was of \u201cnational importance\u201d and would bring local benefits.<\/p>\n
\u201cStrengthening Hamilton Airport positions Waip\u0101 to attract investment, support high\u2011value employment and play a meaningful role in New Zealand\u2019s long\u2011term economic success.”<\/p>\n
Hamilton East MP Ryan Hamilton described the loan as a \u201cbig boost\u201d for the Waikato. <\/p>\n
Waip\u0101 Mayor Mike Pettit.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother feather in the cap for our airport, connectivity and growth,\u201d he posted on social media.<\/p>\n
The runway extension work will be managed by the airport company and tendered via a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process.<\/p>\n
Construction is likely to start towards the end of this year and take 12 months to complete, with no impact on flight operations, the airport said.<\/p>\n
Keeping options open<\/p>\n
A runway extension has been on the cards since 2011<\/a>, when Waikato Regional Airport Ltd set aside 16ha, protecting the land from other developments.<\/p>\n This so-called land designation allows for a potential future runway extension up to nearly 3000m.<\/p>\n The large-scale extension, alongside other necessary airside infrastructure, is estimated to cost over $100m and would be part of what\u2019s needed to establish an Auckland-type international service that would see wide-bodied jets coming into Hamilton frequently, a spokesperson for the airport said.<\/p>\n This is separate from the $9.8m project approved this week, which is focused on resilience.<\/p>\n The work undertaken as part of this funded project is not limiting a further extension in the future, the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n Land designations can lapse if developments don\u2019t happen in a designated timeframe, and the land can be used for other developments.<\/p>\n The airport previously looked into a large-scale runway extension in 2022\/2023 and found \u201cno compelling argument\u201d<\/a> in favour, given the cost and following extensive legal, planning and aviation advice.<\/p>\n Hamilton\u2019s runway is already the fourth longest in New Zealand and because Hamilton can already accommodate international flights, including potentially to the South Pacific and Singapore, a business case for a $100m project did not stack up at the time, the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n However, the airport had \u201calways\u201d intended to review this decision in the future, based on market demand, legal and financial considerations and the airport\u2019s strategic direction.<\/p>\nHamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan. Photo \/ Danielle Zollickhofer<\/p>\n