The Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb, has
welcomed the announcement by Associate Transport Minister
James Meager of funding for round-the-clock air traffic
control that will enable Base Ohakea to serve as an
alternate airport for commercial aircraft
24/7.
“While air traffic control is provided by
Airways NZ, the extension of the existing hours to provide
24/7 service is a welcome enhancement to the support the Air
Force and Base Ohakea already provide to airlines, when
flights are unable to land at Auckland or Christchurch,”
he said.
“It opens the door for major airlines to
achieve significant fuel and emissions savings by avoiding
the carriage of additional fuel, and facilitates ultra-long
range flights into New Zealand from centres such as New York
and Dubai.
“The Air Force’s primary role is the
delivery of military air operations to meet New Zealand’s
security requirements as defined by the Government, but we
are able to contribute to the benefit of our nation and
support its communities in many other ways, such as search
and rescue and disaster relief.
“Providing support
to the airline industry, a key player in New Zealand
tourism, by the use of Base Ohakea as an alternate airport
is another way in which we contribute, alongside military
air operations.
“It’s great that working with
Airways NZ, the Air Force can support this improvement in
the delivery of a service to the aviation
sector.”
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