This piece from the Timaru Herald about the huge influx of passengers expected through Timaru... The reality is Timaru gets two 50-seat Q300 flights each weekday now... In 1989 with the same terminal and carpark they got two 48-seat Frienship flights each weekday
A temporary car park and baggage reclaim area are expected to be set up at Timaru's airport to cater for an influx of visitors flying into Timaru. The first of Air New Zealand's 50-seat Q300 flights arrived at the Richard Pearse Airport on Monday, bumping up the number of people making their way through the airport. The new flights also brought in more cars to the airport car park, with readers telling Fairfax that some visitors were forced to park on grass near the car park because of a lack of space. A $1.3 million airport redevelopment project is due to begin after July 1, but the Timaru District Council has plans ready to put in place to cope with the additional visitors in the interim. District services manager Ashley Harper said parking had already been identified as an issue, and a temporary car park would likely be set up once the council determined how much extra space was needed. The extra parking area would be set up on a grassy area near the terminal, and would be fenced off, he said. It was expected to be put in place in about two weeks. If the amount of luggage coming through the terminal became a problem, an outdoor baggage reclaim facility would be also be set up, he said. The terminal itself was big enough to cater to up to 50 people, and would not require any changes prior to the upgrade, Harper said. Finalised plans for the terminal building were expected to be signed off this week, after consultation with Air New Zealand about its requirements, he said. It was hoped the project would be put out for tender by May 31. Harper expected the car park to be completed by the end of October, and the entire project to be wrapped up by the end of the year. The upgrade will include the provision of 40 new car parks to help provide for a 50 per cent a week jump in in potential passenger numbers. The completion of the car park will also signal the beginning of parking fees at the airport. Users will be able to park for up to two hours for free, with a charge of $5 per day coming into effect after that. The drop-off and pick-up area near the terminal will also be redeveloped and a barrier arm will be installed at the redeveloped carpark. Harper was confident the barrier-arm controlled, 103-park area would generate at least $86,000 a year. While passenger numbers had been expected to slowly build towards the 50 mark, there had been at least 40 people on each flight so far, he said. "It's been really good." The budget for the airport redevelopment was initially set at $875,000, but discussions with Air New Zealand about its requirements meant councillors later approved an increase to $1.3 million. That consisted of $725,000 for the airport terminal upgrade and $575,000 to improve the airport's carpark.
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Let us also not forget that during the saab/metros, and emb years. Tim Timaru was the original domain of Air Nelson. And didn't they not use three to four flights a day at some stage with the Saab..? Memories a bit faded but I'm sure the good old pocket timetable of 99-00 had sf34. Then again it could have changed day to day due to demand..
ReplyDeleteThe Saabs were indeed used and of course PA31-310 and -350 connecting with OAM and CHC then with Air Safaris Nomads Operating twice a day TIU-CHC.
DeleteWell the reality is that was decades a go, the load factors will be much greater than what they were during the F27 era.
ReplyDeleteFor example the first TIU-WLG service was showing just 4 seats left the night before making a total loading of 46 passengers for the first service.
Once more and more new ATR aircraft arrive on the scene, more Q300's will be freed up to operate additional frequencies on these emerging markets, including better schedules as and where demand has been identified.
These are exciting times, marketing campaigns will soon be underway for the Q300 services between GIS-WLG. A venture that strangely,initially the eastland region's council didn't support Air Nelson taking over and said they favoured SoundsAir.
Some keen pricing and inclusion in sales has also featured the new BHE-CHC run using the Q300.
Speaking on BHE, the completed enlarged terminal at BHE, which while it looks quite nice is now already outgrown just months after re-opening.
DeleteATR 72 are being used on day returns from AKL and the Q300 upguages on WLG and CHC mean much higher concentrations of passengers and well wishers.
SoundsAir is also incredibly busy all day out of BHE.
The morning and evening Friendships through Timaru were usually fairly full. Midday service was poorer 25 or thereabouts
DeleteThe ATRs disappear from the BHE/AKL route shortly. Back to the Q300.
Deleteat least the builders in Timaru will do well...!
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, Timaru airport was probably due for an upgrade regardless of the Q300 arriving or not. As you say they had the same terminal and car park in 1989.
ReplyDeleteAs tourism numbers increase for quick access into the MacKenzie region, loads will balance out to acceptable loads. Holidayed in Pleasant Point in the 80s and the F27s were never full... Interesting though, the Saab was.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering if the Q could handle non stop AKL?