Runway work to commence at Auckland Airport

24 March 2006

Runway work to commence at Auckland Airport

As part of Auckland 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 project is the final stage of the runway rehabilitation programme. Once complete towards the end of May, the full length of the main runway’s pavement will have been replaced and strengthened.

This civil engineering project involves replacement of a segment of the western part of the main runway. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Auckland Airport will also complete the widening of the main runway by 7.5 metres down either side as part of the airport’s preparations for the Airbus A380. This runway shoulder is not load-bearing, but is to accommodate the large aircraft’s wider engine overhang.

The work will be carried out from 26 March to 21 May 2006 (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 standby runway. At the completion of the project the standby runway reverts to being the main taxiway. As the hourly flight capacity of the standby runway is slightly less than the main runway, aircraft landing or departing on the standby 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. However, the life of the runway has been enhanced through the development of a unique and comprehensive runway maintenance programme. The newly reconstructed main runway and some of the associated taxiways will now have an expected lifespan of at least another 40 years.

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