OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NEW ZEALAND AIRPORTS ASSOCIATION March 2020

COVID-19 ISSUES AND SECTOR RELIEF, COPING WITH AIRPORT EMERGENCIES AND NEW TERMINAL FOR TARANAKI

Also in this edition ...

COVID-19 issues for the airport sector...... p2 Flying blind – why New Zealand needs better aviation data...... p3 Aviation relief package good first step...... p4 Government steps in to protect Air New Zealand...... p5 Arrivals and departures...... p6 Co-designed new terminal wows Taranaki travellers...... p8 First stage of major Palmerston North Airport business park development... p10 Airports investment within NZ Upgrade Programme...... p11 Leading, sharing and mutual inspiration – Richard Roberts...... p12 Airport champion Allan MacGibbon honoured with UCOL award...... p14 Preparing for a “new” New Zealand.. p16 Show courage to reshape leadership habits – Denise Church...... p17 Involving disabled community benefits airport design...... p19 Pioneering drone inspections delivered successfully...... p21 New Plymouth Airport’s brand new $28.7 million terminal (article p8) Technology/connections to revolutionise airport model...... p23 Coping with airport emergencies – expect the unexpected...... p25 Roading projects streamline airport-customer interface...... p28 Airports wildlife issues being collaboratively addressed...... p29 Runway sensors system proven at Wellington Airport...... p31 Automation key to improving airport systems...... p33 DC3 Kapiti flights prove a hit...... p34

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz COVID-19 issues for the airport sector

NZ Airports chief executive Kevin Ward

As this issue of the NZ Airports magazine was being finalised for publication, the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation sector was just becoming apparent.

Aviation remains the only national rapid and passenger demand, or to meet transport network for domestic travel, regulatory requirements. It will be in the enabler of international travel and The first tranche of the the national interest to enable demand tourism, and the freight mode for high to bounce back as quickly as possible value and time-sensitive cargoes. Government’s relief when travel and health restrictions Airports are also lifeline utilities and are lifted, and the airport capacity provide community resilience. package for the aviation will be needed. Steps to ensure business continuity (at sector was being Ability to maintain a reduced level), and maintain national and international air connections unveiled at the time Airways is the contracted supplier of for reduced demand are the urgent visual navigation aids (various required priorities as we face the challenges of publication. lighting systems) that are essential of the COVID-19 pandemic, with to ongoing operations and safety readiness to re-bound the next goal. compliance at many airports. Airways’ ability to maintain these services, The numbers of international Given the drop in domestic and and continue with programmed passengers and flights are plummeting business air travel, this will become replacement and upgrades is critical and domestic volumes are also an issue across the airport network to airport operational continuity dropping significantly. As I write – international, regional and small and safety. this airports are welcoming the airports. The connectivity and national Government’s special support package reach of the system may be put at risk. for aviation and for businesses. But Kevin Ward what are the issues going forward? Air links between provincial centres and major centres will be essential Where to now? to enable patient transfers to larger Most air cargo travels in the hold of hospitals with specialised equipment. passenger aircraft. Exporters and Patient transfer flights are an essential importers dependent on air freight will and growing role of regional airports. also be dependent on Government support for aviation. Specific issues Flights and passenger numbers will Aviation is an ecosystem with many drop to very low levels, and so will inter-related players. Airlines, airports, airport cash flow, but infrastructure, general aviation and air navigation safety and operations costs continue. all have essential roles. Each has a network of suppliers and industry Many airports have a high dependency partners supporting their operations. on passenger and airline-related Support measures must be fairly revenue. The drop in flights and spread over the system. passenger numbers, and thus Airports have their own challenges. cash flow, will be severe. Many As public transport infrastructure they infrastructure, safety and operational have an obligation to remain open and costs continue, regardless of levels maintain safety, almost regardless of airport activity. of the level of operations within the facility. This raises different challenges Capital works at risk for different airports, depending on Airport capital works are usually their ownership and funding structures. significant projects to meet airline

2 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 Airports typically have a small staffing Plan the recovery Industry parties will need to work base, but a wide range of safety and jointly on the readiness to rebound and operational responsibilities. Like other All these issues point to the need Government support will be required. business sectors, we need measures for an industry-wide strategy to There is a long journey ahead of us. to ensure core staff are not lost when recover quickly. business turns down. See our feature on emergency We will need to assist the return of air This issue is not restricted to airports. responses at airports on page 25. connectivity, especially international Skills and personnel need to be Airports are sharing the learnings of retained across the aviation ecosystem capacity for the visitor economy and recent events and showing they have to ensure all players are ready for tourism sector with the associated plenty of experience to draw upon for lift-off when restrictions are removed. economic and social benefits. the COVID-19 challenges ahead.

Flying blind – why New Zealand needs better aviation data

NZ Airports chief executive Kevin Ward

New Zealand is flying blind when it comes to good data and reporting on aviation – and the airport sector is suffering the consequences with some poorly informed public policy development now on our advocacy agenda as an association.

In New Zealand, there is no official Ministry of Transport with power to policy goals such as regional collection or publication of what is collect and publish data regarding dispersal of travellers by air happening in terms of passenger air services. 2. regular aviation information numbers and flights to specific This would serve three key purposes: publications from an official towns and cities, domestic air cargo source (the Ministry of volumes, which city-to-city routes are 1. the Ministry of Transport could Transport) would provide use this information to direct growing or shrinking over time, the transparency to the travelling standards of on-time performance and policy toward achieving a public on the activity levels cancellations, or what is happening to high-functioning and well- and trends, reliability and costs average air fares. operating market. If the of air travel, which are of high information was available to This means New Zealand is public interest other government agencies, way behind in this area of public such as those in the critical 3. detailed statistical reports and transparency compared to other information would also assist tourism sector, then they would countries (see table illustration with airports and other industry be better placed to advise on this article). Shining a light on participants to better plan trends and data is often the best routes, manage capacity and way to help everyone make better provide a more effective service decisions. As they say, “sunlight is Better information would certainly have the best disinfectant”. helped competition regulators when Major improvements could and the code-share agreement between should be empowered through the Air New Zealand and the Qantas Government’s current review of Group was proposed a year ago, aviation law. potentially affecting Jetstar’s future operations in New Zealand. Three key purposes It’s difficult enough to determine what NZ Airports has recommended that is in the consumer’s interest and new provisions are included in the what isn’t when airlines propose joint Civil Aviation Bill to provide the commercial arrangements that affect

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 3 normal competition, and doubly so Australian model activity, domestic on time performance, without good data and historic trends domestic airfares index, airfreight, at a detailed level. It’s in everyone’s Our neighbours in Australia have a airport traffic, general aviation activity, interest for those decisions to be as well-developed system and regular aviation fuel sales and air distances. well-informed as possible. publications that could be a model BITRE’s authority to collect this data for us. There are real consequences for air is set out in Part 2 of the Australian passengers and regions, as we can The Australian Department of Air Navigation Regulation 2016. Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and see. New Zealand should bring in BITRE is not just empowered, but comprehensive data collection and Regional Development (BITRE) expressly directed, to collect the reporting now, to protect passengers’ publishes monthly and annual data and data as part of an all of Government interests and vital air connectivity in reports on domestic and international objective to achieve efficiencies in an the future. aviation statistics including airline increasingly data-centric world. Data is deemed to be a strategic national resource that holds considerable value for growing the economy, improving service delivery and transforming policy outcomes for the nation. The Australian BITRE model provides an excellent example that New Zealand should follow, in the public interest. There are real consequences for air passengers and regions, as we can see. New Zealand should bring in comprehensive data collection and reporting now, to protect passengers’ interests and vital air connectivity in the future.

Aviation relief package good first step

NZ Airports

The Government’s aviation relief package announced on March 19 at Queenstown Airport by Minister for Transport and Economic Development Phil Twyford is a welcome first step of support for the sector.

NZ Airports chief executive Kevin Ward Mr Ward says there is a family of to maintain core airport infrastructure says the $600 million package shows government and border agencies and capability. We are being hit the Government is acting early to operating at airport facilities. hard, along with other sectors. The connectivity and national reach of our help reduce the significant impacts on “We support the need to retain their aviation system need protecting, and in aviation of the COVID-19 pandemic. highly-skilled staff and the important turn the economic and social links that work they do to maintain aviation’s “The funding support for Airways, depend on air travel. The wider airport safety and efficiency.” New Zealand’s air navigation service community is communicating regularly provider, is particularly vital as it is Mr Ward says airports will be keeping and working together. an important partner in the overall the Government up to date with “We want to plan for positioning aviation system. specific issues as further support will ourselves well for when recovery be needed. “Airways is in the same situation as becomes the new priority. That is airports with its revenue dependent on “We see this as a good first step – but important part of what we need to the number of flights,” he says. we are going to need more measures discuss in detail with the Government.”

4 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 Govt steps in to protect Air New Zealand

NZ Government

The Coalition Government has stepped in to protect Air New Zealand with a significant financial deal that protects essential routes and allows the company to keep operating.

The Government and Air New Zealand have agreed a debt funding agreement through commercial 24-month Agreement safeguards the domestic network, loan facilities of up to $900 million. The agreement also allows for the with flights assured to all current destinations conversion of the loan to equity at the request of the Crown. The Government says its significant financial deal “Without this intervention, New Zealand was at risk of not having a national to protect Air New Zealand will also protect essential airline,” says Finance Minister Grant Robertson. routes. Finance Minister Grant Robertson says the “Air New Zealand has a unique and $900 million agreement safeguards the domestic critical role in our economy and society. Also, the Government owns 52% network, with flights assured to all current destinations. of the company, which means we have a responsibility towards it. We have acted swiftly to put this loan agreement in place and support our “While today’s action means the other areas of our fight against national carrier. company can continue to operate, COVID-19, including supporting the given the unprecedented shock to “This agreement means that health response. the global aviation industry caused Air New Zealand is in a position to “This shows how we are all working by COVID-19, Air New Zealand has play its part in making sure Kiwis can together in New Zealand in this battle advised that there will unfortunately be return home from overseas and that against the virus. job losses as capacity is cut. essential flights and freight lines for “Air New Zealand will play an important goods like pharmaceuticals remain “The Government is actively working open by ensuring flights continue to with Air New Zealand on what can be role in our economic recovery, when and from key international destinations. done to support these workers. This the disruption caused by this global The agreement also safeguards the includes work underway through a pandemic is over.” domestic network, with flights assured separate process to mobilise some Separately, and distinct from this to all current destinations. of Air New Zealand’s workforce to agreement, the Government is working with Air New Zealand to ensure other key services can be provided, including repatriation flights, maintaining critical cargo transport lines and having Air New Zealand staff assist the health response.

Those services will be provided for under separate commercial arrangements to be negotiated in the future on an arms’ length basis between the airline and the Government.

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 5 Arrivals and departures

Nick Jackson began work as the new manager at Kapiti Jo Learmonth Leighton Toy Coast Airport in January. For the past six years Mr Jackson has been senior aeronautical services officer for aerodromes at the Civil Aviation Authority, so he is well-known across the airport sector. His career also includes nearly nine years in various management roles for the Manchester Airports Group in the United Kingdom Jo Learmonth is the new manager at Wanaka Airport. Ms Learmonth has spent the past two years in various project management Rhys Frearson and delivery roles for Queenstown Airport. Her career spans around 17 years of strategic business and project management experience across various industries and sectors the new chief executive of Whanganui Airport is Leighton Toy, the general manager of property at Whanganui District Council. He takes over the role from Kym Fell, the council’s chief executive. Mr Toy is on the council’s Executive Leadership Team. He returned to his home town of Whanganui in 2013 after a period of 17 years living formed in 1963, however flying and working in various parts North Shore Airport of New Zealand and the joins NZ Airports activity at the airport’s current site United Kingdom started a few years before that. North Shore Airport has joined The small airport has two runways. Rhys Frearson is the NZ Airports and become part of our A sealed 03/21 vector and a gravel new manager at Taupō national association, following board 09/27. Both runways have grass Airport. Mr Frearson has approval of its membership application either side also available for landing. been operations manager late last year. at Rotorua Airport for the The airport has commercial airline NZ Airports membership now stands at past three years, and has services provided by Barrier Air. 38 members, operating 42 airports. a real passion for aviation, It is also home to the Northland particularly the technical North Shore Airport is owned by the Emergency Services Trust (NEST) aspects of airport operations North Shore Aero Club. The club was rescue helicopter.

6 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 Arrivals and departures (cont)

The airport is located 30 kilometres north of Auckland CBD. It is about a 25 minute drive from downtown via Auckland’s Northern Motorway, and is located near to the North Shore suburbs of Albany and Silverdale.

Pictured above and below are images of North Shore Airport and to the right is a map of NZ Airports’ current membership

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 7 Co-designed new terminal wows Taranaki travellers

Iain MacIntyre

Travellers have reacted positively to New Plymouth Airport’s brand new $28.7 million terminal, after it officially went live on Tuesday March 17. New Plymouth Airport chief executive Partnership delivers distance framed between two structural Wayne Wootton says the evolving supports in the building. COVID-19 situation unfortunately spectacular result “The thought that has gone into it all is saw the cancellation of a full opening Mr Wootton strongly praises the project really impressive.” ceremony involving Prime Minister partnership between the airport, Jacinda Ardern and other dignitaries Puketapu hapū and architects Beca. Coffee, food and culture on the Thursday, as well as some related events. “Puketapu hapū have been heavily In addition to the visual impact of involved from the very beginning – they the new 4092-square-metre terminal Nonetheless, he says the occasion are our co-designers. That’s why it has – which has replaced a 1430-square- was marked by a well-attended dawn a lot of cultural features – not only in metre facility built in 1967 and the blessing performed by Puketapu hapū the terminal artwork, but also in the temporary 450-square-metre Jetstar on the preceding Friday, the presenting structure itself. terminal – customers will benefit from of goodie bags to passengers over several enhanced services, says the first two days of the terminal’s “In the main spine walk, which runs Mr Wootton. operation and the cutting of two the whole length of the concourse, is These include former weather celebratory cakes. a spectacular tukutuku panel which presenter Jim Hickey and business features vibrant-coloured vinyl boards “The general consensus from travellers partner Craig Macfarlane having is that it is a fantastic looking terminal with weaving by the hapū. Fantastic introduced an upgraded cafe based on – very light and airy with great views carved pare sit above the entrance and their Queenstown Airspresso model. of Mount Taranaki on one side and exit doors which have been produced on site during the building construction Another retailer, Collab Hospitality, is the Tasman sea on the other,” says now offering pre-packaged food and by renowned New Zealand sculptor Mr Wootton. drinks, books, newspapers and other and carver, Rangi Kipa. “I have also been told that the building small travel goods from a new outlet is gaining some international interest “As soon as you walk through the called the Hangar, and Puketapu hapū due to the significant involvement in entrance, you feel the cultural is selling cultural wares and potentially the project of Puketapu hapū, who influence. And when you come in from Nelson-produced wine through its are mana whenua of the land that the airside, the first thing you see – if it’s Tātai store. airport is sited on.” a clear day – is Mount Taranaki in the “We have additionally introduced new meeting room facilities complete with state-of-the-art video conferencing. This entails a main board room and a breakout room on the first floor of the terminal next to airport administration.” Passengers will also benefit from a new $1.5 million car park which will be built as soon as the old terminal is demolished. The airport has spent an additional few million dollars to improve other base infrastructure.

The newbuild terminal pictured here and overleaf “While we were doing the construction work, we also took the opportunity

8 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 to upgrade a lot of the ageing “Conservatively, we are anticipating Furthermore, third-tier airline operator, underground services – electricity, about 2.5% annual growth – but I Originair, recently introduced an water, sewerage and data via a new would actually put that at about 3% extended weekend service between fibre link.” to 3.5%. If we look back at the past Nelson and New Plymouth using a 20 years, we’ve been averaging 19-seater aircraft, but this has been put Positive outlook about 5.7% annual growth – obviously on hold while a new operator certificate A key driver of the terminal upgrade Jetstar coming in four years ago is processed. boosted things.” is the current and forecast passenger The airline is hoping to resume growth at the airport. The original Mr Wootton says the airport continues operations later in 2020. terminal was built to accommodate to work closely with local economic 50,000 passengers annually, whereas development agency Venture Taranaki NZ Airports Magazine published an the business is expecting to host about and other organisations to encourage in-depth article previewing the 450,000 passengers in the current visitors to Taranaki. Air New Zealand New Plymouth Airport terminal upgrade financial year, with expectation that has also confirmed that capacity is in the July 2017 edition. Further numbers will continue to boom, says trending upwards for its Northern information is also available via Mr Wootton. Hemisphere summer schedule. New Plymouth Airport’s new website.

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 9 First stage of major Palmerston North Airport business park development

Dave MacIntyre

Palmerston North Airport has set the ball rolling on the first stage of what is shaping to be the central North Island’s peak business location for freight and logistics, aviation training, retail and light industrial businesses.

As the gateway to one of airport operation. For example, rental “We have had strong interest from New Zealand’s fastest-growing car support operations are intended businesses wishing to move to regional airports, Palmerston North for the first stage in Zone B – storage Ruapehu Business Park and it is easy Airport is developing and managing and washing as opposed to a retail to see why given there is an unrivalled Ruapehu Business Park, literally over interface with customers. integrated transport network, flexible the road to a terminal which handles The halls of residence will be on the property management solutions and over two million users a year. other side of the road to the university’s commitment to long-term development Ruapehu Business Park will include School of Aviation. With over 200 being offered. extensive landscaping, commercial people working on the airport precinct “This will be the only business park and light industrial buildings, a new and a further 200 plus students and in New Zealand with direct air and motel, eateries and retail centre, as staff based at the School of Aviation, easy road and rail access. This unique well as a proposed halls of residence the business believes the retail centre location is also only ten minutes to for students at the Massey University and eateries will be well-supported. Palmerston North City centre. School of Aviation. Mr Clark says sites of 1200 cubic “Expressions of interest are now Palmerston North Airport commercial metres upwards will be available for being sought from aviation-related manager George Clark says the door lease or sale, with the motel covering businesses and any organisation to the development was opened by the an area of up to 3500 cubic metres. looking to service the Central North granting of its resource consent late The airport is also conscious that the Island, airport and local population.” last year. business park will be close to existing residential areas, so the building Stage One is expected to be “We have just now gone to tender designs will have to be attractive as operational and have 80% occupancy for the construction of the road and opposed to “industrial”. within three years. infrastructure in Zone B, over the road from the airport terminal and car parks,” he says. “It has taken us nearly four years to get to this point because we have had to do a lot of planning for things like stormwater detention ponds. “Palmerston North suffers from flooding and any new development can’t be allowed to overload the city’s stormwater capacity, so the detention ponds we are developing with mitigate that risk.” Now things are underway, the business park will begin to be developed in stages. All the land is zoned commercial but the airport is targeting smaller George Clark with Palmerston North Airport chief executive David Lanham enterprises which have links to the (photograph courtesy of Stuff)

10 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 Plans for the Ruapehu Business Park

Airports investment within NZ Upgrade Programme

Ruapehu District Council/NZ Government (edited)

Milford Aerodrome and Taupō Airport are to receive vital infrastructure funding through the $12 billion New Zealand Upgrade Programme.

Following the programme being Shane Jones] for his commitment to operators to invest for growth and new announced in January, the unlocking this investment despite the operators to establish themselves.” Government has subsequently reported opposition from officials to Visit Ruapehu general manager released details of the first $190 million funding some provincial airports,” Jo Kennedy expects the airport package of the $300 million allocated says Mayor Cameron. investment to provide opportunities for for capital projects in regional “Successive Governments have co-operative promotional campaigns. New Zealand. invested in regional growth in “We have previously enjoyed success Taupō Airport is to receive $900,000 recognition that an essential in promoting the Ruapehu region with to upgrade and redevelop its terminal, component to building a more regional, business and Government aircraft apron and carpark in addition prosperous nation requires building partners using Taupō as the gateway,” to a $5 million investment through the successful and more resilient regions. says Ms Kennedy. Provincial Growth Fund. “This has seen millions invested “This has included joint-venture campaigns involving Taupō District Milford Aerodrome is to receive $3.1 into regional growth studies and Council, Tourism New Zealand, million to reseal its runway, apron and programmes that all clearly identify the taxiway as well as to improve drainage. Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, Auckland importance of integrated, high-quality International Airport, Air New Zealand Ruapehu Mayor Don Cameron says transport infrastructure as a critical and others. the Taupō Airport investment is exciting enabler of growth. “In addition to allowing for bigger news for the Central North Island. “Investment in transport infrastructure planes bringing in more people the “We would like to thank [Regional provides an incentive and the upgrade will significantly enhance the Economic Development Minister confidence to existing tourism all-important visitor experience.”

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 11 Leading, sharing and mutual inspiration – Richard Roberts

Iain MacIntyre

Working in collaboration, sharing knowledge and helping to inspire others and be inspired onto greater achievements are among the passions that drive Dunedin Airport chief executive Richard Roberts.

Joining the airport as operations “Bringing this amazing team together “Ultimately, we want people that really, manager in 1999 and progressing has been so hard yet so rewarding. truly care for us, that genuinely want to infrastructure general manager us to do better. To pick us up when we “They inspire me every day and they before taking the helm in 2015, fall down and to help us when we get Mr Roberts describes his current role have always been there when the things wrong – respectfully say ‘that as a career highlight. going has got tough. probably wasn’t right mate, but I think you should do it this way, what do “This job is so exciting, it covers so “We’ve achieved some great stuff you think?’. many disciplines and no day is ever together and there’s more to come.” the same,” he says. “We want people that involve us Leadership mantra in decisions. “It’s a humbling experience when someone trusts you enough to hand Aiming to learn from his own past “Everybody in an organisation is you the reins to an organisation. To leaders – both good and bad – actually a leader, we are trying to build look after the interests and livelihoods Mr Roberts lives by the mantra of “try relationships with people and get the of so many people. and be the leader you wish you had”. best out of them. “We all strive for affirmation that what we are doing is the right thing. Richard Roberts When that happens, it is a really good feeling, because someone else has an independent opinion on what you are doing.” Mr Roberts says for much of his career the prospect of putting himself forward for a chief executive’s position would not have been on the radar. However, the positive guidance of others changed his perspective. “It was humbling and gave me more confidence and I thought ‘can I do this – well these guys think I can’. “I have become very inspired by listening, watching and more than anything understanding leadership. “I also love inspiring people. I’ve got hooked into these leadership academies in Southland and Otago. “We should never be allowed to take the knowledge that we have to the grave, we have got to share that with other people and inspire them.”

12 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 Humble beginnings Although determined not to succeed his father and grandfather before him in working down the Barnsley coal mines, Mr Roberts had not excelled in secondary school and was potentially about to sign on to the unemployment benefit in 1982. However, a careers advisor noticed his Grade C, O Level qualifications in English, maths and physics and suggested he was a good fit for an engineering course at Barnsley College of Technology. With the course also paying double the benefit at £30 a week, Mr Roberts promptly said: “Bang, I’m in!” Progressively employed as an apprentice draughtsman with local firm, Qualter Hall & Co, Mr Roberts completed the five-year programme at the top of his class. Although not having intended further study, Mr Roberts reluctantly followed the wishes of the firm’s managing director, Geoff Banks, to then commit himself to higher education at Sheffield Hallam University. “I still remember Mr Banks with great affection because I owe him such a lot. I felt obligated to the guy – they were still paying my wages while I was at university. “I was a recluse for four years and gave everything to it. In the end I came out with a Bachelor of Engineering with First Class Honours – it was the first time they’d awarded a First Class in five years.” Finding New Zealand Mr Roberts spent 12 years with Mr Roberts aims to bring a personal touch to football reffing Qualter Hall & Co and was involved in a variety of engineering projects, before his career and life took a major Emigrating in 1996, Mr Roberts sector leadership figure, Mr Roberts new turn. was initially engaged in contract quips that he has yet to get over his engineering roles with Arrow own personal dislike for flying. “My wife (Louise) came to Dunedin to International, which saw him spend work for six months and I came to visit. “I certainly won’t fly in a single-engine After about two days I was thinking some time in Christchurch and Hanmer aircraft – my life has been based on ‘man alive, these guys have no idea Springs. However, with the first of two building things that work and if they what they’ve got here’.” daughters soon on the way, the couple don’t there is a contingency!” decided upon a Dunedin-based role to Mr Roberts says he instantly felt create a more settled family life. Bugbears and joys familiarity with the country, noting similarities to his homeland, but without Ironically, for someone who has risen A former director of NZ Airports and the negatives – “warmer winters, no from a position of admittedly knowing current board member of Dunedin crime, no people and no traffic”. little about airports to becoming a Railways among other governance

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 13 roles, Mr Roberts says one of his main dislikes is bureaucracy. “It touches every industry, it’s a dinosaur that we can’t get rid of and it stops things getting done quickly.” He also takes issue with overt political correctness. “When you’re talking to, writing to or debating with anybody, there is one word that you should always carry There are now three members to the with you – and that is respect. Political Kiwi supporters’ branch of Mr Roberts’ correctness is literally taking away the hometown club ability of anybody to be respectful. Now there is a set of rules and you “I say to a lot of people, ‘let’s just try good, open, honest and respectful have to follow them, and if you don’t, this for one day – when you get out of communication. For me, the best then get ready. I think we have gone bed and your legs hit the floor, on that way too far.” referees I see are the ones who day you have to give more than you are good communicators and On the flipside, Mr Roberts would take’. Can you imagine if everybody build relationships.” rather see a world where people more did that?” readily come together and achieve With his ultimate life goal to “be happy, in unison. Ultimate life goals live long and die quickly”, Mr Roberts says he has also come to appreciate “I don’t believe that patch protection, Mr Roberts lists sea kayaking, the virtues of relaxing pastimes, parochialism and self-interest deliver spending time with family and enjoying particularly now that his two adult the best results for everyone. There food and wine among his main aren’t many things that have been personal interests and also continues daughters, Avi (22) and Ella (21), achieved in our history that have been his involvement in football as a referee. have left home. done alone. Twice named Premier League “Peace and quiet – maybe strumming “We need each other and we need to Referee of the Year in Dunedin, before on my guitar or more recently looking see a much bigger picture of what we moving down to older-aged grades, after my veggie garden. God, I’m can achieve together. New Zealand he expresses much satisfaction in getting old! is a very, very special place, with managing players’ frustrations with officialdom better than he experienced “I do love craft beer – everything in special people and I would like to as a player. moderation of course. see us do more things together. The celebrations are also much more fun “I have loved refereeing more than “And I do still love playing golf with my with more people. I ever did playing. It comes down to mates as well.”

Airport champion Allan MacGibbon honoured with UCOL award

UCOL (edited)

Airports industry veteran, Allan MacGibbon, was presented with University College of Learning (UCOL) Whanganui’s Honorary Fellow Award for his contribution to education, tourism and economic growth in the region, at a March 19 ceremony in the Royal Wanganui Opera House.

The Honorary Fellow Award is what is normally expected in growth, education and tourism in UCOL’s highest honorary award their professions. Whanganui. He helped forge strong and is presented to individuals Mr MacGibbon is considered a long- relationships between education whose contributions go well beyond time proponent for regional economic providers, local government and the

14 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 community, and contributed to creating growth, education and tourism runway upgrade and terminal rebuild. education opportunities in the region. in Whanganui. He was instrumental in establishing Notably, he also helped establish the international aviation training in He was the Whanganui District New Zealand International Commercial Whanganui, managing the purchase of Council’s economic development Pilot Academy (NZICPA) while Flight Training Manawatu and assisted manager from 2008 to 2014. In this Whanganui Airport manager. in establishing it in Whanganui role he worked to maintain UCOL’s as the New Zealand International UCOL council chair Ben Vanderkolk long-term presence in Whanganui Commercial Pilot Academy. As interim says Mr MacGibbon is incredibly and develop closer relationships worthy of the award. chief executive, he also managed with UCOL. its registration, certification and “Allan has been a champion of Mr MacGibbon managed the curriculum development. education, tourism and economic Whanganui Glass School (now growth in Whanganui for many years Mr MacGibbon served on the NZ Glassworks) and was part of the and a valued supporter and advocate NZ Airports Association’s board for joint Whanganui District Council-UCOL of UCOL,” says Mr Vanderkolk. nine years, representing small Taskforce that looked at ways to bring regional airports and highlighting “He has played a significant role in tertiary education and community their importance to the country. providing education opportunities for interests closer together. learners in Whanganui and ensuring In 2016 he was awarded the new opportunities came to the region He was instrumental in the association’s Beca Airport Personality and community. We are delighted to establishment of INTRANZ, a of the Year for his commitment to formally recognise all he has done.” Whanganui-based training facility that New Zealand’s regional airports and delivered trades as well as industry- to Whanganui Airport. based training. Regional contributions NZ Airports Magazine published a Mr MacGibbon is a long-time While working as Whanganui Airport profile article on Mr MacGibbon in the proponent for regional economic manager, Mr MacGibbon led the October 2017 edition.

Allan MacGibbon (right) with Queenstown Airport chief executive Colin Keel at the 2019 NZ Airports Awards evening

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 15 Preparing for a “new” New Zealand

Iain MacIntyre

New Zealand employers, organisations and communities alike need to evolve with this country’s fast-changing demography in order to maintain their respective future survival, relevance and engagement.

So advises Professor Paul Spoonley “Since 2013 we have had the highest countries we typically think of being of the Massey University College of immigration of any country in the migrant-receiving. Humanities and Social Sciences, when OECD compared to population – a “Auckland is the fourth-most predicting that over the next decade third higher than either Canada or diverse city in the world. So this is New Zealand will see the following Australia. But that picture is not being fundamental, it is transformative and it unprecedented changes: reflected around New Zealand. is changing our society.” two out of five New Zealanders “If we don’t have migrants, then a Professor Spoonley says quite different will live in Auckland lot of our industries, employers and economies and demographies are Asian communities will communities will really struggle into consequently emerging around the outnumber Māori the future.” country. These include temporary horticulture/viticulture in the Bay of With 60% of this country’s immigrants people aged over 65 will Plenty and Hawke’s Bay, temporary approved as skilled, he emphasises outnumber those of 0-15 years hospitality/retail in Queenstown and this predominantly young and educated of age international students in Auckland. population is providing a connection New Zealand – and Auckland with Asia and delivering new sources However, he notes that most regions particularly – will become of income and activity. will not sustain their growth at their increasingly super-diverse current immigration levels. Other key themes of immigration Among nationwide factors influencing observed over the past eight “Over these next two decades to 2038, these demographic evolutions are the years include: we’re anticipating that two-thirds of structural ageing of the population, the New Zealand’s regions will not see birth rate having recently dropped to high inward permanent and any population growth at all. They sub-replacement level and the timing long-term arrivals delivering will simply stabilise and in some of births being left to later in life. high net population gains cases decline. In a regional context particularly, high temporary immigration “One of the political questions is how Professor Spoonley says the and tourism do you divert migrants away from increasing numbers of older versus Auckland and encourage them to go to reliance on migrant younger people will effectively reduce the regions? It’s difficult, because over labour for both population the available workforce and potentially half of all the new jobs in New Zealand supplementation and to fill lead to labour and skill shortages. in 2018 were in that city.” skills shortages “So a big question is, where do you Professor Spoonley notes immigration get your workforce from?” asks diversity characterising has also seen the rise of concentrated Professor Spoonley. New Zealand society, the labour ethnoburbs and ethnic precincts. market and clients/customers “Because the people in the prime “Dominion Road, which is the longest working age are going to shrink and it’s In the 12 months to March 2019, retail street in Auckland, is now for not helped by young adults’ migration New Zealand experienced a net much of its length 70%-80% Asian out from the regions.” population gain of 62,300, of which the and nearly all of it Chinese. That’s main sources were China (residence something that is barely 20 years old, Professor Spoonley says that visas), India and the United Kingdom in terms of changes to the city.” while some regions will experience (skills visas) as well as the Philippines. population growth, their combined total The changing ethnic landscape has will be dwarfed by Auckland’s numbers. “We are now one of the most super- consequently contributed to declining However, he also emphasises that diverse countries in the world – 27% of participation in sports such as rugby, in terms of the country overall, us are now born overseas. Effectively, rugby league and cricket, alongside immigration alone is preventing a the number of people born overseas growing participation in golf, basketball, stagnation in population. in New Zealand is double that of football, table tennis and badminton.

16 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 Between the 2013 and 2038 period Professor Spoonley predicts a “new” Professor Paul Spoonley New Zealand population1 will evolve to: European/Pākehā – 66% (down from 75%) Asian – 22% (up from 12%) Māori – 18% (up from 16%) Pasifika – 10% (up from 8%) “The demography of New Zealand in the future is going to be unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before. “So, as communities, employers and members of organisations we’re going to have to change much of what we do to simply accommodate what is happening. “This includes how we retain, recruit, where we get our workers from, how we run our organisations and what makes them attractive to workers in a labour market which is going to become a lot more competitive.”

1 as the New Zealand census allows individuals to identify with more than one ethnicity, the ethnicity totals exceed 100%

Show courage to reshape leadership habits – Denise Church

Iain MacIntyre

Airways NZ chair Denise Church is urging those in governance and leadership positions to demonstrate the agility and creativity to reshape old habits and ensure their organisations adapt and stay relevant in “interesting times”.

Ms Church says it is important to for example, how our organisations single-biggest game changer to the preserve the aviation sector’s key invest. There are a whole lot of spaces aviation sector. contribution to the economic and social where there aren’t any right answers. “Airways shares in a wider industry future of New Zealand – particularly “The risk for all of our organisations vision to safely integrate these given the increasingly “VUCA” is getting better and better at what is aircraft into the existing air (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and increasingly irrelevant.” traffic network.” ambiguity) world of today. Also emphasising the need to predict “We face increasing rates of change Predicting customer needs what customers will want in the future – the future in many respects is Noting the speed with which as accurately as possible, Ms Church unpredictable,” says Ms Church. change can occur, she says says the weight of public opinion is “There are many factors to consider drones and autonomous flying turning against airports in regard to when it comes to making decisions – vehicles now present as the climate change matters.

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 17 Quoting Stephen Hawking that: culture, wellness, climate change, and leadership, but actually it is “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to human rights and the future of work. collaborative as well – we are critical change”, Ms Church says business friends of each other.” “Alongside that, you have extending leaders should be concerned with regulation and law, Governance involves supporting and sustaining an enduring relevance. social expectations.” guiding management but also working “In this VUCA world, what’s the collaboratively to achieve strategic Another critical change is the key competence for directors and expectation that directors engage objectives and sustainable success. organisation leaders? For many of us deeply and often with their this is going to mean building the plane Ms Church highlights the following organisations, she says. while we are flying it.” United Kingdom examples of modern workforce engagement: As well as needing ever-increasing Scanning the skies agility and foresight, Ms Church says and cafeteria hosting talent breakfast/lunches the life of a director is becoming a and open-door days Good governance is not just an issue 24/7 engagement. listening groups for frontline for boards but for everyone in an “Gone are the days of perfunctory workers and supervisors organisation that works with a board, boards. Increased responsibilities says Ms Church. meeting future leaders without and expectations on boards in the senior management present 21st Century and a challenging “The days of strict allegiance to ‘nose operating environment are now in, fingers-out’ seem to be waning. You inviting colleagues from a given.” are expected as a director to scan the different business functions to skies as well as the cafeteria. board meetings Directors now need to be across a substantial range of new and emerging “I think there is a new approach that digital sharing platforms issues including artificial intelligence, we might acknowledge – our distinctive being present and visible cyber security, privacy, social media, roles as directors and in management She emphasises the value of chatting with colleagues on the coalface to Denise Church gain a perspective on their work and of the organisation that would not be communicated at a formal board setting.

Ms Church also urges a reshaping of basic governance time, including by having meetings in different formats, fewer all-day face-to-face meetings and instead more pulse and micro meetings.

But equally, she suggests extending board meetings as necessary to allow more time to consider and challenge strategic matters and to take “deep dives on priority matters”. Challenge and co-operation To stay relevant, Ms Church encourages a rethink of what those in governance and leadership roles pay attention to and how they engage with future trends. She says it is important to create solutions ahead of the curve.

She also urges the use of technology and innovative practices to transform how boards operate and report.

18 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 “Get the right information that is high how the community sees us and if embodiment of your company’s quality – accurate, reliable, material, they still want us to continue doing purpose in your business model and succinct, sufficient and verified.” what we do.” corporate strategy.”

She promotes the Netflix model of She says the role and dynamic of Ms Church says leadership must modern governance which includes: board and management has also embrace diversity and inclusion, a range of management and changed. The chair is now the strategy as well as explore new thinking and staff meetings that directors provocateur and conductor of the new competencies. board, while the chair and board attend as observers only Modern leaders need to be equipped share responsibility for shaping the with an ever-wider range of skills and an online memo is circulated a conversation and driving continuous few days before board meetings demonstrate integrated thinking across improvement. This then feeds into the of approximately 30-pages financial as well as people-focused vital relationship with management, in narrative form with links to natural and social capitals. They based around both challenge and supporting analysis should also develop their abilities to co-operation. consider a range of perspectives and opportunities presented to ask values, she says. questions or seek clarification, Learning and leading with responses circulated Ms Church emphasises that “When you ask different questions, you before the board meeting the modern business operating get different answers.” board meetings focus on environment presents new opportunity Sharing a quote from novelist questions and discussion rather for leadership to both mobilise people James Joyce that: “Errors ... are the than presentation to face the tough challenges as well portals of discovery”, Ms Church as to assume a wider perspective on meetings begin with the chief implores boards to engage in purpose beyond profit. executive and directors listing continuous learning and asks: the main questions on a white She quotes BlackRock chairperson how often does your board take board before proceeding and chief executive Larry Fink: time to reflect? immediately to discussion “Companies cannot solve every what sort of conversation issue of public importance, but Ms Church says the focuses of boards happens when things have not there are many – from retirement to have changed, with risk issues having gone well? broadened and matters of social infrastructure to preparing workers for licence and reputation becoming the jobs of the future – that cannot be how do we create a culture increasingly important. solved without corporate leadership. where it is safe to experiment and fail fast? “It’s not enough to think about our “Every company needs a framework organisations as to how we are to navigate this difficult landscape, Continuous learning is about “asking succeeding within our own box, it is and ... it must begin with a clear the unaskable questions”, she adds.

Involving disabled community benefits airport design

Iain MacIntyre

Airports should partner with the disabled community in the co-design, co-production and co-implementation of their infrastructure to ensure an inclusive build.

That is the advice of Disabled Persons “In my opinion empathy and They have valuable expertise from Assembly (DPA) NZ president involvement need to be an early part of their lived experience to contribute Gerri Pomeroy, who says disabled the process,” says Ms Pomeroy. to the process, says Ms Pomeroy. people have not generally held much “Adequate consideration needs to be Fortunately the value of this input is influence in design processes. given to the input from disabled people.” now being increasingly recognised.

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 19 At a Government level, this has been reflected in the development of an Gerri Pomeroy Accessibility Charter, which describes high-level expectations of agencies to provide accessibility to information and services to all people – especially those living with a disability. A coalition of disabled persons’ organisations had oversight of its development and the charter has now been signed by the chief executives of 38 Government agencies. Connecting with the disabled community Ms Pomeroy was a 22-year-old medical laboratory scientist when diagnosed with a muscle sarcoma in her right leg, which over time resulted in her losing the ability to walk. After connecting with the disability community, Ms Pomeroy says she was shocked by the unbelievably-difficult and complex lives many were leading and the struggle for many to access the resources and support they need to live a good life. a range of communication see that I am exactly to the right of the She says this is compounded when issues with ground crew and security desk, with the gate right there.” mainstream systems and infrastructure security as they endeavour that are supposed to support everyone to support disabled people Bathrooms matter to achieve their potential and enable through the airport processes Although praising local airports for a great life, are not as inclusive of all and system having well-designed and wheelchair- people as they should be. accessible toilets, Ms Pomeroy Finding the right help nonetheless notes there is a group of Ms Pomeroy provides an example of a Having been met at her plane by an people who need a higher level of recent personal experience when using airport assistant a couple of years ago, fully-inclusive support when toileting. a new ramp extension at one of the Ms Pomeroy recalls being escorted country’s busiest airports. “Changing Places facilities are and confined to a waiting area designed for people who cannot use “Before the change I could alongside others needing assistance. standard accessible toilets and include independently push myself up the ramp a height-adjustable, adult-sized change in my wheelchair and go to the taxi “They wouldn’t let me leave the table and a hoist. stand. Now, I require assistance as the designated area and the problem with ramp is very long, feels very steep and that was that it was in departures not “These facilities are now offered in is carpeted which drags on my wheels. arrivals – so my sister who had come Brisbane and many United States and What this means is that a degree of to meet me couldn’t find me. I don’t United Kingdom airports. The Sydney autonomy has been taken from me.” have a mobile phone so I couldn’t call Airport fully-accessible bathroom also her to tell her where I was.” includes an assistance animal toilet.” After consulting with DPA members, Ms Pomeroy says the most common On another occasion, she consulted Sensory overload and design issues encountered at staff at an airport security desk to New Zealand airports are: confirm directions to a gate and to find sunflower lanyards out if there was lift access, given the Ms Pomeroy observes that airports are lack of easily-visible signage lack of signage. often loud, bustling environments that lack of fully-accessible autistic people can find overwhelming “So, I go up the lift and try to find Gate bathrooms and difficult. 23. Instead of finding a gate, I find a lack of quiet spaces for people stairwell. Heading back downstairs, I “Airports should provide a quiet room with autism manage to find my way down – only to for people on the autism spectrum

20 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 to use when they are experiencing so traumatic that the disabled organised, rather than by a sensory overload. person will choose not to fly person’s impairment or difference. ever again.” It looks at ways of removing “Also, they should develop and provide barriers that restrict life choices sensory maps of the airport that people “Staff should always believe for disabled people. can look at ahead of time to prepare people when they say they can’t themselves for the sights and sounds do something and be aware of “Disabled people’s reality is they will experience. These show areas the power they hold, especially frequently inadequately considered. that are quiet and noisy, areas that are over older people who might try We experience discrimination and sensory-heavy and areas which are hard to comply.” exclusion daily. less stimulating.” “There’s still a huge amount of “We are often treated as though For passengers who have a hidden variability on knowledge of how our lives and time are worth less condition or disability, including to guide a blind person, some than the lives and time of people acquired brain injury, Ms Pomeroy staff need additional training.” without impairment. urges the implementation of a “I’m tired of being asked if my “Our contributions to processes are sunflower lanyard system. son can stand to go through often discarded. Many of us are X-ray and being removed from “They are a simple yet discreet way, for traumatised by our daily experiences. staff at airports to identify those who the sight of his parent when may need extra support.” being searched.” “Incorporating design features that accommodate an inability to see, “As a wheelchair user I find hear and walk alongside impaired What others say the personal search at security cognition and sensory overload will Ms Pomeroy shares the following extremely intrusive. Have they result in an increasingly-inclusive quotes from others with disabilities, thought of offering wheelchair airport infrastructure. describing their experiences of users the option of transferring treatment at various stages of to a plastic wheelchair, so we “As Liz Crow, a disability activist and airport journeys: have a choice to be searched actress, has said: ‘If problems have or not?” “Sometimes when equipment been created by society, then surely such as wheelchairs don’t turn Social model society can uncreate them.’” up, staff try to encourage the Ms Pomeroy draws focus on the social Resources disabled person to make do model of disability. without. The newly disabled There is a range of useful resource on are more likely to not insist “This states that people have the DPA website, including a Ministry of on what they need. This has impairments and that disability Health guide to engaging with people led to accidents and can be is caused by the way society is with disabilities.

Pioneering drone inspections delivered successfully

Iain MacIntyre

Drones have been successfully used to deliver a safer, faster, more cost-effective and more robust inspection of light tower infrastructure at Wellington Airport.

Having relied upon scissor lifts or Both Beca associate surveyor they were also fully aware this cranes to gain access to the up to Andrew Barbour and Elevo director would be a first airside deployment 30-metre-high towers over the past Joel Newman were confident of the at an international airport. 15 years, Beca last year partnered with benefits such a solution would bring. commercial drone services provider, Considerable planning consequently Elevo, to investigate the potential However, even having used drones went into identifying and addressing all of drones. successfully for other infrastructure, airspace issues – including ensuring

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 21 that the drone was able to be landed three nights, involving about 11 hours’ now do not have to be undertaken only within seconds – as well as potential time airside and 3.5 hours of flight time. in good weather. hazards on the ground. Two flights were made per tower in Furthermore, the solution has delivered Each of the light towers themselves about 15-minute operations, with a notable increase in efficiency and presented unique operational between 25 to 60 photos taken per reduction in cost. It has eliminated the requirements, given their different tower and under 30 per pole. A Beca time and challenge associated with structural elements such as pulleys, structural engineer monitored the moving cranes around the airport, joins and fixings, as well as different operation via one-megapixel live as well as the unavoidable standby flying and capture challenges related feed with actual inspection of the costs associated with only being able to poles, planes and people. 20-megapixel photos undertaken to operate $800-per-hour cranes in back in the office. 15-minute to 20-minute windows. Many alternatives were also considered in regard to specific “The quality and coverage of the Collaborative success operation of the drone – such as photos was better than we had whether it should be tethered – as previously,” say Mr Barbour and Describing the project as a success, well as potential windows for the Mr Newman. Mr Barbour and Mr Newman say inspections to be undertaken within. it was achieved through the close “Because of the almost unrestricted collaboration of all three partners. Proving the concept access to the light tower, the photos follow a constraint pattern, simplifying “Wellington Airport understood Once it had been decided the the reporting. operationally what goes on at the inspections would be completed at airport and what could and couldn’t “Ultimately, the completeness of night to minimise disruption to airport be achieved. Beca understood how the photos allowed a more robust operations, a total of 25 test flights drones could be utilised, airport airside assessment to the structural integrity, were made to prove the concept and work and asset management. Elevo which in turn allows us to have refine the lighting and camera set up. understood how to technically make it confidence in the recommendation a success – night flights, photos – and That set up ultimately entailed a DJI we make to Wellington Airport on had the equipment to do it.” Matrice 210 drone equipped top and any maintenance.” bottom with 45mm lens cameras, flying Given rapid improvements in In addition to the quality factor, untethered above an independently- drone technology, reduction in eliminating cranes or scissor lifts from powered and remotely-controlled 100W hardware costs and improvement the process has removed a significant lighting unit producing 14,000 lumens. of sensor quality, the pair are safety risk of having structural confident drones will increasingly be With the drone maintaining a safe engineers operating at up to 30 metres used as a tool to effectively manage distance of over five metres from the in the air. The drone solution has also infrastructure assets. asset, the real-life inspection process enabled access to areas not possible was subsequently undertaken over to reach previously and inspections “They are not just a gimmick toy that disrupts flights. “Absolutely there are challenges, but Joel Newman (seated) and Andrew Barbour hopefully we have shown that these can be overcome by understanding the benefit and getting the right team involved. “Hands down the biggest positive we have had by introducing drones into the business is the improvement of health and safety. They allow you to get to a position, area, location without the need to physically be there. “Whether that is at the top of a light tower, on a sea wall, side of a building or roof, these are great applications to think about the use of drones for. “Their use at airports will improve with awareness. We are already looking in to how we can use drones for pavement inspections, paint line marking checks and lighting calibration.”

22 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 Technology/connections to revolutionise airport model

Iain MacIntyre

A radically-new airport model could evolve towards the end of this decade, driven by technological advancement and the wide-reaching implications of an ever-connected world, predicts Airbiz director Kerr Lammie.

Ongoing innovation in the linked decentralised security could be pretty would be replaced by a single practices of decentralisation and monumental in terms of change.” large holding-room terminal, with utilisation in particular are expected to autonomous buses moving people underpin such fundamental change, Future airport vision between the building and the aircraft he says. Mr Lammie says a key focal point for in a portal arrangement. Drones are also expected to provide a variety of The latter is already being seen in airports in such a model would be passenger and freight services in the airports through self-serve check-in providing the necessary infrastructure coming decade. kiosks and bag drop, with ongoing to accommodate buses, bicycles, developments in the former expected trams, cars, trucks, drones, trains “There are various ideas as to how to deliver increasing choice and and ships dependent on location changes can occur. We could have – all of which could potentially individualised passenger experiences. a boarding process that allows become autonomous. passengers to embark by row into Using modern biometric scanning “What we see happening is the ground the bus and then come off the bus technologies and vehicles equipped to transport interchange connecting and depart the same way, with the serve as security portals, Mr Lammie various modes of transport in and out vehicle itself identifying who can sees airport security potentially of the airport. The airport will become and cannot get off. It could be that moving from airside to landside that interchange, that hub.” the boarding process will confirm within the decade. With security moving to the front door all passports, customs and border “If security was at the front door, then and meeters and greeters being able protections requirements in a single that would offer up the whole airport to move to the post-secure zone, they seamless step. experience for meeters and greeters,” will have access to all commercial “That would allow aircraft to essentially he says. areas of the airport, he says. be free of a designation of international “The connected part of this is really The airside would potentially become or domestic inbound or outbound – interesting. The physical space an autonomous zone and the heavy the aircraft would just be coming in in the airport with something like infrastructure of piers and concourses or out and the passengers would be

Future airport vision

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 23 the ones moving around on secure autonomous buses. Kerr Lammie “It’s a different view, but we do think that everything in the process is open to change and new airport operating models will emerge. We think that the future is sustainable, connected and electric.” Owning the channel Mr Lammie believes the continuing emergence of disruptive technologies alongside the expanding reach of mega brands will further bring into question “who owns the channel?” in regard to passengers. “Airports are not immune to outside influences. We think that as airports become more connected there are opportunities for outside groups to participate in the transactions that airports have historically held on to.” “The idea that by 2030 you are going have been very proactive about getting to see electric aircraft at your airport is out there and talking to the community, He cites Amazon and similar entities not something we should turn a blind changing their flight schedules and as prime examples in this space, given eye to – unless you have a distributed reducing flights, looking at ways they that they are already well established electrical generation plant on your site.” can make the aircraft quieter and with their own platform, distributed changing routes so they are coming in network and decentralised set of Furthermore, Mr Lammie predicts that different ways to ports. services through which they can offer numerous, ongoing advancement in all manner of things. artificial intelligence and robotics will be “They go out of their way to create reflected in new practical/operational, a situation where they balance By owning an airline, a business could experiential and predictive analytics operations with their status in the in the future introduce a transport interactions within airports. community. They’re talking about what collection/delivery offering, supported they’re doing in terms of sustainability by grab-and-go foods, with all Social licence as a way to protect their business but transactions driven through an app. also to participate in the community.” With that, they would assume complete Mr Lammie heralds Richmond control over the travel experience for (Canada)-based Harbour Air Informative articles on the their users, he says. Seaplanes as an example that airline include: businesses in the New Zealand “Some of the bigger corporations will aviation sector should learn from when https://www.harbourair.com/ continue to drive and own their channel considering matters of reputation and about/our-story/ of commerce and increasingly offer social licence to operate. https://www.harbourair.com/ us individualised services. The airport about/corporate-responsibility/ is not necessarily immune to those The world’s largest seaplane operator activities being offered outside of successfully completed the world’s first https://www.harbourair.com/ their involvement.” fully-electric commercial aircraft trial about/corporate-responsibility/ in December last year and is planning goingelectric/ Electric aircraft to convert its entire 42-craft fleet to electric by 2022. https://www.harbourair.com/ Another key development Mr Lammie harbour-air-named-platinum- urges airports to plan for is the onset Yet, despite currently operating noisy club-member-of-canadas-best- and arguably uncomfortable aircraft, he of electric aircraft. managed-companies-for-5th- notes “everyone gets off the plane with He says aircraft manufacturers consecutive-year/ a smile” and says there are also few are aiming to transition over the noise complaints from those located Mr Lammie encourages New Zealand course of this decade, with trials around the airline’s ports of call or airports to act similarly. already underway. 75% of worldwide flight paths. airline routes which are within a “It’s about getting out there, telling 1600-kilometre range and could prove “This is a pretty beloved airline. When the story and making sure that the a prime target for electric aircraft. they have had noise complaints they connection is there.”

24 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 Coping with airport emergencies – expect the unexpected

Iain MacIntyre

Earthquakes, terrorist attacks, disabled aircraft and now COVID-19 are among a wide range of potential emergency situations for which airports need to develop and practice well-considered response plans. First-hand lessons Christchurch Airport has learned the lessons of emergency management Christchurch Airport’s first-hand – from major earthquakes to last year’s horrific shootings at two front-line learnings from local mosques. The business now prepares for all the mosque shootings manner of scenarios, having been through and come out the other side while plans work on paper, staff strove to look after of some very unexpected ones, says putting them into real-world their own families as well as Christchurch Airport airfield operations practice is always more continue normal business at manager Tim Morris. difficult – for one example, the airport the need to implement He says it is important to run regular expect a New Zealand fenced-off regional screening emergency response exercises. Even aviation network impact – though they involve a considerable divided up the terminal even with airlines such as amount of work, they are the best way and created flow-on issues Air New Zealand praised for to improve an airport’s capability to with regard to lighting, air being proactive, the whole respond to whatever situation it may conditioning, toilets, disabled network struggled for a face in the future. access, goods flow and rubbish removal period of time – the public, Christchurch Airport’s exercises have having been supportive do not rely on external help progressively advanced in complexity, initially, also became less – when regulatory agencies with 50 of its staff now externally obliging as the disruption and emergency services trained in the Co-ordinated Incident continued over time Management System (CIMS). are preoccupied elsewhere, the airport will be expected prepare for weeks of Staff are consequently now more to ensure it remains open ongoing challenges – confident in tackling difficult scenarios and can cope without many unexpected events and are getting a lot of benefit and their support may happen including enjoyment from the exercises as large numbers of people, their abilities develop and are tested, expect a region-wide impact dignitaries and agencies he says. – businesses closed down and schools were locked from many different countries Emergency Operations Centre down following the mosque wanting to provide support attacks causing added stress and arriving by air in their The airport has established an and distraction as airport own large aircraft Emergency Operations Centre which, in the event of any significant incident, will activate and take over control of the airfield from the Mr Morris shares the airport’s key able to respond in a structured company’s executive. learnings from that response: manner to a major event that This is exactly what occurred last having an emergency plan in had a range of unique impacts March following the mosque attacks. place meant the business was on the airport

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 25 it is vital to have a strategy and causing considerable downtown Ms Brix says to be effective, doctrine in place to deal with lots of globally each month – with statistics needs to be supported by training, different people operating out indicating an upward trend. Auckland with ongoing development laying of the airport – including staff Airport has itself had a few near misses the foundation for effective dedicated just to this “people in this regard over recent years. response operations. co-ordination” task – to ensure Mr Varma says the airport’s Regular simulated emergency they are able to operate investigations revealed that the exercises test and maintain the efficiently and safely across recovery plans of its airline preparedness and adequacy of the facility customers place huge reliance on Air airport emergency management a structure needs to be in New Zealand’s maintenance division. plans – essentially developing “muscle memory”, she says. place, such as CIMS, that While Air New Zealand has some facilitates communications with local equipment to perform the However, noting “compliance is not emergency services and this recovery task, the airline is also reliant equal to preparation”, Ms Brix cites system also needs to be fully on Qantas-owned recovery gear the Asiana Flight 214 incident at understood by the airport’s held at Sydney Airport. Relocating San Francisco Airport, where a fire own staff that equipment to Auckland Airport truck ran over and killed a passenger could take about 18 to 24 hours and that had just been rescued from the keeping contact lists up to therefore cause significant disruption to downed plane. date and relationships in good the airport’s business. order is particularly important in Progressive approach pressure situations, as knowing The International Civil Aviation who to call can potentially Organisation (ICAO) airport services Ms Brix recommends a progressive bypass congested, regular manual states recovery is firstly the “crawl, walk, run and fly” evolution communications channels and responsibility of aircraft operator. in exercises. This begins with make things happen faster However, it also outlines that an basic orientation workshops and a airport operator can take over matters familiarisation process, advancing it is important to get face-to- if the task is not performed in a through to the introduction of new face with stakeholders, provide timely manner. plans/procedures, orientation of briefings accompanied by hand staff/managers and ultimately full-scale Mr Varma says Auckland Airport outs, try to understand what exercises involving multiple locations. stakeholders need and how is seeking to supplement Air their needs and expectations New Zealand’s resource so it has the In regard to the location and process of can be best provided for – this capability to be able to respond quickly exercises, she advises: includes managing inevitable and minimise downtown. begin by getting all stakeholders media attention The airport is also in discussion with to the airport Mr Morris recalls that the media NZ Airports in regard to potentially include any off-airport locations response to the mosque shootings was making its recovery equipment – especially if relative reception instant and somewhat overwhelming. available to all airports in the country centre is off-airport Over 100 media representatives on a charge-out basis. consider any facility on or arrived in the city and travelled through off-airport that responders need the airport within hours, instantly Develop “emergency access to – including security transmitting news around the world. muscle memory” systems, first aid rooms, etc Avisure principal aviation consultant Auckland plans for consider the airport’s jurisdiction Jill Brix says as well as ensuring – anything within a one- disabled aircraft recovery compliance with Civil Aviation Authority kilometre radius of the airfield Auckland Airport – which handles regulations, conducting regular Establishing relationships is 90% of 450 aircraft movements daily – has emergency simulation exercises at pre-incident planning, says Ms Brix. followed the proactive lead of an airports, is vital to: increasing number of airports in train personnel It is also important to ensure frontline Europe, by developing its own disabled reception staff are fully briefed and review/test the planning process aircraft recovery plan. trained in their response actions, she or other procedures says. For example, in a recent aircraft The airport’s security and emergency identify needs and/or crash at Darwin Airport, the operations service manager Anil Varma says weaknesses team kicked into appropriate response, the move could benefit the entire but the reception staff were not New Zealand airports sector. demonstrate capabilities adequately prepared and became There are about 17 incidents of practise people in working swamped dealing with incoming aircraft being disabled on runways together phone queries.

26 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 NZ’s systems for supporting transport resilience and security

New Zealand has both a Transport Resilience and Security Strategic Framework as well as a National Security System (NSS) in place to guide responses to emergency situations in the sector.

Ministry of Transport resilience and transport senior officials security senior advisor Nic Paterson if required) says the objectives of the former be involved in the response are to minimise and manage risks in a lead agency capacity to the transport system from or support a lead agency natural and human-made threats, through the Transport and enable effective recovery Response Team by ensuring: NSS objectives include: risks are understood and conscious decisions ensuring public safety are made to reduce protecting lines of their likelihood and/or communication consequences strengthening economic people and plans are ready prosperity for when events occur protecting the natural when a response is required, environment it is integrated, proportional and timely maintaining democratic institutions and national recovery is co-ordinated is represented on sub- values to regenerate assets committees and working groups or services to support that report to the HRB – for strengthening international a community example, the New Zealand order to promote security The Ministry of Transport and Civil Search and Rescue Council, preserving sovereignty and Aviation Authority maintain close the National Agencies Incident territorial integrity interface within this framework. Managers Reference Group, etc Mr Paterson says the NSS could New Zealand’s NSS is administered may attend, as required, be activated for a wide range of by the National Security System meetings of the Security and matters that could affect the aviation Directorate in the Department of Intelligence Board sector, including: the Prime Minister and Cabinet, In the response stream, the transport a major transport incident and has both a governance and sector may: that involves an aircraft response stream. participate in the ERS through a failure of critical transport Within the governance stream, the the Minister of Transport infrastructure or systems transport sector: participate in the Officials a major natural disaster may participate in the Committee for Domestic and Cabinet External Relations External Security Co-ordination malicious acts, including and Security Committee through the Secretary of terrorism, whether or not a (ERS) through the Minister Transport (and other transport transport asset is the target of Transport leaders if required) a cyber attack is represented on the Hazard participate in the Watch Group a pandemic and Risk Board (HRB) by the through Ministry of Transport Secretary of Transport senior officials (and other a major biosecurity incident

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 27 Roading projects streamline airport-customer interface

Dave MacIntyre

Road links to airports around New Zealand are improving, streamlining the airports’ interface with customers in the process.

The latest boost to airport accessibility new inbound high-occupancy vehicle planned or already underway is the has been announced in Auckland, lane added. Pedestrian paths and Northern Network Transport Project. where Transport Minister Phil Twyford bus stops on Laurence Stevens Drive The public can see the changes being has signalled the start of construction will be improved and two new bus delivered on George Bolt Memorial to upgrade State Highway 20B. stops added. Drive, where a one-way loop road is SH20B is one of two main routes to Boosting airport being developed that will allow traffic Auckland Airport with more than 30,000 to flow efficiently past the international vehicles per day. It will be upgraded accessibility terminal before connecting back. with additional lanes in each direction, Auckland Airport airport development The new Altitude Drive will provide dedicated to bus and high-occupancy and delivery general manager additional roading capacity, allowing vehicles between Pukaki Creek Bridge André Lovatt says the Laurence terminal-bound traffic better reliability. and SH20, to allow a new ten-minute Stevens Drive project will link to the bus services between the airport and new Park & Ride South facility and Other New Zealand airports have Puhinui Station. complements a joint investment by also seen their transport interface Passengers will then be able to access the New Zealand Transport Agency with customers improve markedly in the full Auckland suburban rail network, and Auckland Transport in safety recent years. improvements and priority lanes. including Britomart in the city centre. An example is Christchurch Work to upgrade the Puhinui rail and “As we deliver on these projects, International Airport, where the bus interchange started in September we’re boosting accessibility for development of the Western Corridor and is expected to be completed within important public-transport links,” of State Highway 1 provides access 18 months. Once complete, these says Mr Lovatt. to the airport for people and freight from throughout Canterbury and the upgrades will help free up roads and “The Laurence Stevens Drive South Island. ease congestion by giving people a redevelopment is a cornerstone project real alternative to driving to the airport. on our path to improving access for The corridor runs between the The total SH20B project cost is public transport from the Puhinui Northern Motorway in Belfast and the $70 million and its lanes are expected Interchange and easing traffic flow on Main South Road in Hornby. Most of to open in 2021. the southern corridor to the airport. the traffic on the corridor heads to the Ultimately, there will be more options city, the airport, Belfast or Hornby. The state highway work is just one for travellers to facet of an infrastructural “year of get to and from delivery” for the southern roading the airport. network which will deliver customers better access to Auckland Airport. “We’re working with our partners A multi-million-dollar project on to ensure better Laurence Stevens Drive will bring journeys for better transport links from the south all travellers – of the airport, connecting with major whether they’re public transport projects and providing flying out from the a resilient roading network inside the airport or driving airport precinct. here for work.” The development of Laurence Stevens Among other Drive will see the road widened with a major projects Southwest Gateway project map

28 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 Airports wildlife issues being collaboratively addressed

Iain MacIntyre

Wildlife hazards at ever-busier airports around the country are being mitigated through the collaborative work of the New Zealand Aviation Wildlife Hazard Group (NZAWHG). Consisting of 43 cross-sector Education is key members, the NZAWHG was Lizzie Civil established in 2016 to ensure Ms Civil says education is a key New Zealand manages its aviation function of the group. wildlife hazard obligations under the “I was surprised by the number of International Civil Aviation Convention. people who have not heard of bird Holding three meetings a year, which strike or who had no idea airports are attended by between 20 to 35 had dedicated staff to undertake people, the group’s goals are to: such a job. create and standardise national “However, the public seem very recommended practices interested once you explain the work. The recent movie Sully has definitely engage and interact with helped raise awareness. airlines, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), airports, “The plan is to make the public aware wildlife experts and ecologists of all of the good things airport wildlife staff are doing to benefit wildlife.” discuss field developments and new technologies New Zealand is one of the few countries that understand the reduce the national wildlife “Wildlife budgets at busy airports are importance of wildlife management at incident rate increasing and more emphasis is being airports, value it and have skilled and put on associated issues. provide a forum to share and trained people ensuring that a more exchange information, and “Many airports are focusing on holistic approach is taken to controlling improve the passion and work regenerating areas away from airports such issues, she says. ethic for aviation safety to create a safe haven for birds and wildlife. Techniques have also moved “We ensure all staff engaged in wildlife provide technical support from a reactive to more of a holistic management receive specific and and solutions ecosystem approach.” consistent training. This culture will encourage and support all only grow and develop, and I believe She acknowledges that ongoing growth airports to improve their wildlife wildlife will be in a better position, in the aviation sector has the potential hazard management plans not worse.” to put wildlife at increased risk. To maintain the initial momentum Risks and responses “However, I believe we are now doing generated following the NZAWHG’s a greater job of protecting wildlife and Noting that bird strikes have accounted inception, the CAA subsequently understanding we need to share the for 262 human fatalities and destroyed approached Ms Civil’s company, skies more safely. 250 aircraft worldwide since 1988, Civil Ecology, to formally chair, NZAWHG chairperson Lizzie Civil “Group members understand the risk co-ordinate, facilitate and provide says the group’s work has become that wildlife incidents pose to their technical support to the group. ever-more important. businesses and the wider aviation “Having an independent New Zealand- industry of New Zealand.” “The growth in air transport activity at owned and run company managing the airports has seen wildlife management A number of airports are taking a NZAWHG ensures that consistent and issues gain significance more so now collective approach on shared issues suitable time and energy is given to the than ever before,” says Ms Civil. with a range of stakeholders, she says. group and its management.”

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 29 Future focus Having established its identity, including through a logo and website, the group has also developed a National Risk Matrix Standard and is working on National Recommended Practices. Other current focuses include working with the CAA to develop: Advisory Circular 139-16 GAP (good aviation practice) wildlife booklet consistent reporting (digital) of bird strike from all airports and the data into a live dashboard Additionally, Ms Civil says the group is seeking to advance work with airlines to achieve better two-way understanding on wildlife management. It is also making training available to all airports – including via a website listing of recommended suppliers and contractors. Furthermore, she says the NZAWHG is keen to work more closely with NZ Airports and have greater involvement in relevant association discussions and forums.

Pictured right, a dotterel chick at Auckland Airport, where many dotterels reside. Every year a management plan is put in place to ensure dotterels and airport operations can coexist. New Zealand dotterels have recently moved from being a threatened to a recovering species

Pictured left and below are examples of bird strike damage on aircraft. As well as the plane repair cost – a replacement A320 nose cone estimated at about $78,000, for example – flow-on effects include fuel dumping costs (for example, B777 fuel costing $1350 per hour), engineer staffing costs, the time to repair the aircraft, passenger transfer delays and gate delays

30 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 Runway sensors system proven at Wellington Airport

Iain MacIntyre

Continued aircraft safety improvements, operational benefits as well as business gains are expected from the world-leading runway sensors system developed at Wellington Airport in a technology partnership with MetService.

Installed in the runway’s touchdown minute, is then processed through can be used to conduct spot checks of zones and midpoint about a year ago, specially-developed algorithms conditions on any part of the runway, the nine fixed sensors automatically and within seconds is presented taxiways or aprons. measure temperature, moisture or ice via a custom weblink display. This With the airport having worked closely on the tarmac’s surface and transmit information is also made available to with GHD and Fulton Hogan on both the data directly to the airport’s new the Air Traffic Control Tower. design and installation, extensive testing Integrated Operations Centre. Complementing the embedded runway over the past year has fully proven Data from the state-of-the-art sensors, sensors, mobile sensors mounted on the concept, says airport performance which average out readings every the airport’s runway inspection vehicles manager Lachlan Thurston.

A state-of-the-art sensor installed on Wellington Airport’s runway

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 31 “We have a whole year’s data now and “In the past, pilots had a general sense While similar runway sensors have we can categorically say it is working of whether the runway was dry or wet, been installed by some airports well and we are ecstatic about it,” but they didn’t know how wet. Pilots around the world and are generating he says. now know exactly how wet the runway much interest, Mr Thurston says is and particularly if the runway is the associated development of the “We can see exactly what is happening considered to be contaminated.” algorithms and display specific to the on the runway minute by minute.” An improvement in the operation of pending ICAO obligation is arguably With the sensors able to measure to the aircraft is also expected, with the world-leading. 0.02 of a millimetre of water, one of the technology enabling pilots to more It is understood the Civil Aviation refinements made during the year’s accurately calculate an aircraft’s Authority (CAA) is currently working testing was defining exactly what landing or takeoff performance. with other New Zealand airports constituted a “wet” runway. Under the They will also be able to take into on the introduction of the new new system, a damp runway (visible consideration the full length of the ICAO standard. change in surface colour) is now to be runway aligned precisely with the considered wet for aircraft performance conditions – a new requirement under As well as making the weblink display calculations. This threshold between civil aviation rules. available to Air Traffic Control, the what is dry and what is wet has now airport is similarly doing so for its “This enables pilots to use more of been determined at Wellington Airport airline callers who have their own the published runway distance which to be 0.04 of a millimetre. flight operational centres, such as potentially results in an increased load.” Numerous benefits Air New Zealand and Singapore ICAO compliance Airlines. Those airlines can feed Mr Thurston expects the system to data directly to their aircraft as Wellington Airport has become one deliver safety and economic benefits to they choose. of the first to achieve compliance aircraft operation. with an International Civil Aviation Meanwhile, the airport in partnership “Aircraft nowadays have very much Organisation (ICAO) requirement with NZ Airports Association is improved technology and handling for all airport operators to be able working with the CAA and Airways characteristics, so on approach an to assess runway conditions in a Corporation to develop a national aircraft knows the exact landing timely manner and notify those standard to govern the process of weight, environmental conditions and conditions using a new international sharing the information more directly landing configuration. standardised methodology. to aircraft cockpits.

Wellington Airport

32 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 Automation is key to improving airport systems

Auckland Airport/Vodafone (edited)

Auckland Airport is using technology to improve international traveller processing times, having launched 12 new automated pre-security eGates in partnership with Vision-Box towards the end of last year.

The airport’s broader technology Phase two of Vision-Box’s award- Vodafone New Zealand technology transformation could eventually include winning Orchestra software is to be director Tony Baird says 5G enables a biometric authentication to enable rolled out during the course of this year TV show to be downloaded potentially seamless customer journeys from and is expected to: up to ten-times faster than via a 4G check-in to boarding the aircraft, says connection, with web pages loading integrate the pre-security gates almost instantly without buffering or lag. Auckland Airport operations general with real-time flight information Due to its faster speeds, low latency manager Anna Cassels-Brown. from the airport’s operations and increased capacity, 5G is expected system Airport20/20 “Where possible we see automation to play a role in supporting smart as a key way to improve the airport allow for multi-boarding pass airports as well as better connected system by being more accurate, processes to benefit families cars, businesses, schools and homes. reliable and faster,” says provide real-time reports for Wellington Airport spokesperson Ms Cassels-Brown. airlines and ground handlers Greg Thomas said the airport is always “Over the next decade, as we looking for ways to enhance the integrate with the airport’s undertake our multi-billion-dollar experience for travellers. access control system for staff infrastructure upgrade, we will “Having access to a fast and reliable ID validation be integrating smart technology mobile connection is becoming ever throughout the customer journey 5G to enhance more important, especially for business in a way that makes traveller travelling experience travellers looking to stay in touch with journeys better.” colleagues, customers and suppliers,” Meanwhile, in partnership with he says. However, Ms Cassels-Brown Vodafone New Zealand, Wellington emphasises the fundamental Progress information on Vodafone Airport recently offered travellers with a New Zealand’s rollout of 5G in parts requirements of passenger processing Nokia FastMile 5G Gateway advanced of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch will not change as a consequence of opportunity to connect free to the and Queenstown can viewed at such initiatives. network before its national rollout. https://www.vodafone.co.nz/5G/. “We still need check-in, baggage drop, customs and security screening. eGates “But what technology can do is allow us to link the process together and streamline information in the background, helping to make the experience as seamless as possible.

“When technology is combined with a commitment to customer service, we will be achieving our ambition to make journeys better for all customers and operational partners at Auckland Airport.”

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 33 DC3 Kapiti flights prove a hit

Iain MacIntyre

Passengers have flocked to a recent one-off weekend of scenic flights from KapitiAirport provided by Air Chathams via its historic DC3 ZK-AWP.

Air Chathams sales and marketing “It was so well received in fact return with the aircraft again in the manager Lyn Cheyne says the that a number of people that next summer scenic season. But adds 28-seater flights scheduled at missed out in Kapiti travelled that scheduling will be dependent 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm, 2pm and through to the Whanganui event on the aircraft’s other regular scenic 3pm on both January 11 and 12 were the following weekend. flight commitments in Tauranga, Whakatane and Whanganui as well as fully subscribed. “We had a great response to the flights involvement in airshows and charter “We’ve been wanting to take the DC3 on Instagram and Facebook as well, flight engagements. to Kapiti for a little while as a way of with a lot of photographers posting giving the community and our frequent images and sharing images with us.” Aircraft history flyers there a chance to ride in this Having also previously taken the DC3 Built in Oklahoma City in 1945, the wonderful classic aircraft,” says to Kapiti on an open day, Ms Cheyne DC3 was last December returned to Ms Cheyne. says Air Chathams is very keen to the red and white livery of National

Pictured below and overleaf is the historic DC3 ZK-AWP in its now-restored red and white livery of NAC

34 NZ Airports Magazine | March 2020 Airways Corporation (NAC), for which it was deployed in passenger services from April 1953 until the late 1960s. Flown to New Zealand, it became RNZAF Dakota NZ3543 and was assigned to 41 Squadron RNZAF until 1952. Its military service has been described as varied and interesting, although few records remain. Transferred to NAC in June 1952 and named “Kaitaia”, the DC3’s subsequent evolutions included operation with Polynesian Airlines of Samoa as well as conversion into a top-dresser and conversion into a freighter. Following further owners and over 50,000 flying hours, the aircraft was specifically requested by the Crown Prince of Tonga and flew under Tongan ownership from 2004. Acquiring the now-rundown DC3 as part of a hangar purchase in Tonga in 2009, Air Chathams general manager Craig Emeny led a project to restore the classic plane to airworthiness. ZK-AWP resumed flying scheduled passenger services in 2010 with Chathams Pacific before returning to New Zealand in 2013, where it has since predominantly provided scenic and charter flights. “The DC3 holds a special place in New Zealand’s aviation history,” says Mr Emeny. “We feel its real mark was made during its time with NAC during the development of New Zealand’s regional passenger air connectivity. “This holds true with our airline values around connecting smaller communities and providing safe, reliable air services. So it feels right to revert her to that livery for what may be the remainder of her flying life.”

NZ AIRPORTS ASSOCIATION Level 8 Midland Chambers 45 Johnston Street Wellington PO Box 11369 Manners Street Wellington 6142 www.nzairports.co.nz

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 35