8 April 2004

Runway Work at Auckland International Airport

As part of Auckland International Airport's ongoing programme to maintain the runway and taxiway system, the airport company will shortly replace a significant section of the main runway.

This civil engineering project involves replacement of a segment of the mid-section of the main runway - the first major repair to this particular area since the airport opened 37 years ago.

The work will be carried out from 11 April to 19 May 2004 (subject to weather). This important project is made possible by strong partnerships between the airport company, Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand (BARNZ), and its associated airlines, Airways Corporation of New Zealand, engineering consultants and contractors.

During the reconstruction period aircraft will use the stand-by runway. At the completion of the project the stand-by runway reverts to being the main taxiway.

As the hourly flight capacity of the stand-by runway is slightly less than the main runway, aircraft landing or departing on the stand-by runway may experience some delays at peak periods.

The work on the main runway is an important part of the airport's comprehensive runway rehabilitation programme that began in 1998. The airport's runway system was originally constructed in 1965 with a design life of 25 years. The life of the runway has however been enhanced through the development of a unique and comprehensive runway maintenance programme. The newly reconstructed main runway and associated taxiways will have an expected lifespan of at least 40 years.

Auckland International Airport is New Zealand's largest and busiest airport generating and facilitating over $14 billion worth of value to the New Zealand economy and directly and indirectly sustaining over 235,000 full-time equivalent jobs.

ENDS

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