Hokitika Runway Extensions

Hokitika Airport has moved a step closer to welcoming larger planes, with consents approved for an extension to its runway. The West Coast Regional Council consent will allow the earthworks, including in-filling, to be done at the site in order to extend the main runway a further 544m to cater for larger aircraft. It will enable Hokitika Airport Ltd to clear the northern end of the runway and fill the small gully at the start of the extension area with about 45,000 cubic metres of gravel, which will be compacted and prepared for the extension. The airport must not undertake more than 45,000 cubic metres of earthworks. It must also ensure that no spillages of hazardous substances on to the land or into water occur, and must try to minimise soil erosion during the work. Extending the runway is the first of a number of upgrades planned for the airport. Hokitika Airport Ltd has also called for design and cost options for the upgrade, which will see the runway extended to 1856m to allow the larger planes such as Bombardier Q400, Boeing 737 and Airbus 320 aircraft to land. An approximately $1.7m plan could see two turning circles installed, the runway lengthened and widened and the terminal sealed. Work is expected to begin by the end of the year and will take up to two years to complete. The airport company said the runway extension would encourage more people to make the trip across the Tasman. The extension would also enable the airport to be used to “its fullest capacity” in the event of a civil defence emergency or natural disaster.

Source : http://www.greystar.co.nz/content/new-runway-consents-approved