DATE: |
31
July 2008 |
TITLE: |
FNHL Invests
$1.6m in Airport Improvements |
Far North Holdings
Ltd is to make a further $1.6 million investment in improvements to
the Bay of Islands Airport at Kerikeri.
A contract to resurface the runway has been let to Works Infrastructure
to meet increasing commercial demands on the popular tourist and commuter
gateway to the Far North.
The full 1190-metre runway will be strengthened and smoothed in the
project. Work is scheduled to start within the next few weeks and is
expected to be completed by mid-December 2008.
The project will enable the use of the airport by heavier aircraft on
a more regular basis.
The 30-metre wide runway will receive a 60mm overlay of asphaltic concrete
(hot mix) over the 36,000 sq.metre of runway area. The smooth seal overlay
will cover the traditional chip-seal surface previously used, and will
substantially reduce maintenance costs by improving the life of the
runway.
Company chairman Tony Norman says the work will be carried out at night
to avoid any disruption to passenger services and will start following
the last commercial inbound flight at 7.30 p.m. each evening and the
runway will reopen to commercial use at 6.30 a.m. each morning.
"The commercial airlines we have spoken to are very supportive
of the upgrade.”
"For the past eight to nine years the company has been rebuilding
the structure of the runway, including a significant investment in sub-soil
drainage to improve runoff. Water lying in the area has previously caused
maintenance problems with the sealed surface, particularly as commercial
use has intensified.
"Coupled with the introduction of heavier aircraft, this meant
the company was re-sealing sections of the runway almost on an annual
basis. The hot mix overlay will vastly improve the life of the runway
surface and reduce annual maintenance costs," he says.
Mr Norman says the project complemented a range of ongoing improvements
and the development of the airport to improve passenger comfort and
convenience.
"It is significant that the Bay of Islands Airport is the only
airport of its size in New Zealand which is solely funded commercially-
that is without subsidy support from external agencies. As a company
we are proud of the improvements we have been able to make," he
says.
Far North Holdings Limited is a provider of key strategic infrastructure
for the district and has a leading role in the aviation and maritime
sectors.
It is focused on strengthening local economies and in particular the
tourism sector. A range of initiatives are underway to sustain and grow
existing businesses and provide the underlying infrastructure for new
business, Mr Norman says.
"It is about providing the opportunities for business to grow in
our district by working with industry sectors to make things happen
in the interests of the wider community. This is evident with the work
we are doing currently with the tourism sector to develop the district
as a conference destination," he says
The upgrade to the runway also opens up the potential for private jet
aircraft to operate in to the area. Subject to testing on completion
it is anticipated the work will allow for limited access for G5 private
jets, opening up “high end” tourism opportunities for the
district, Mr Norman says.
Chairman of the Tourism Development Group, David Perks, supports the
approach FNHL is taking in the improvements being initiated at the airport.
"This development is of great importance to both the tourism industry
and the wider economy. Bay of Islands Airport is currently utilised
highly by both the international visitor sector and the conference sector
and is a critical facility in the development of the visitor industry.
"The work now being carried out is another step towards bringing
more people directly to the Far North to enjoy the many, many things
the district has to offer," Mr Perks says
For further information please contact:-
Tony
Norman or Chris Galbraiths
Far North Holdings Limited
Ph: 09 402 5659
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Page created/updated: 31 July, 2008
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