OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NEW ZEALAND AIRPORTS ASSOCIATION August 2019

SUPPORTING AIRPORTS INTO THE FUTURE – TACKLING SUSTAINABILITY AND FUNDING CHALLENGES

Also in this edition ...

Addressing the “biggest issue of our time” – Nicola Cordner ...... p2 Arrivals and departures ...... p3 Cementing in legislation a sustainable funding solution for smaller airports ...... p3 Is your airport ready? Alpine Fault Project prepares region for a major emergency ...... p5 Living with airport economic regulation in New Zealand ...... p7 The airport environment – an Australian perspective ...... p8 Retirement but not departure for Mike Groome ...... p10 PBN and airports – what we’ve learned so far ...... p11 Inaugural Security Awareness Week at Queenstown Airport ...... p13 Invigorating times at Christchurch Airport for Brodie Akacich ...... p14 Industry vision for streamlining journeys emerging ...... p17 New technology brings safety, reliability and improved access to airports ..... p19 Electric vehicles – including this autonomous smart shuttle trialing on private New QAC general manager corporate and community affairs ...... p20 roads at Christchurch Airport – will be part of the focus on sustainability PBN at Wellington Airport – an update on community engagement and implementation ...... p21 Airport construction – looking to the NZ Airports Conference future, learning from the past ...... p22 West Auckland Airport seeks airport authority status ...... p24 Auckland, 23-25 October Visions and transformations – from LHR to JFK to AKL ...... p25 Applications of EME2 at airports – stronger, thinner and nzairports.nzconference.co.nz longer-lasting asphalt ...... p28

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz Addressing the “biggest issue of our time” – Nicola Cordner

Iain MacIntyre

Ensuring sustainability is embedded into everyday business operation is one of the key focuses of Wellington Airport sustainability and environment manager Nicola Cordner.

Appointed to the newly-created Initially engaged as airport planner in roles with the Ministry for the role earlier this year, Ms Cordner is 2014, following a short-term contract Environment and Taranaki welcoming the opportunity to play her delivering the airport’s Quieter Homes Regional Council. part in helping correct the balance on project, Ms Cordner says the new A move to the London Borough of climate change. role engages with all parts of the Newham as development control “This is arguably the biggest issue of business and provides involvement planner and then principal policy our time,” says Ms Cordner. in numerous projects. planner/team leader was followed by “It’s exciting to learn from what others a return home in 2009 as Transpower “The focus on sustainability across all senior environmental advisor and in the sector are doing and introduce of what we do is only going to become then relationship manager for the initiatives that will make a difference to more important. We need to meet system operator. the expectations of our passengers, our operations and our community. “Throughout my career I have worked communities and investors, and plan “My first action was launching for the effects of climate change. with and for some incredibly inspiring Kaitiakitanga, which is our airport and successful people, many of who “I’m inspired by the youth-led action approach to a more-sustainable future. remain close friends and mentors on climate change and demand for This included introducing targets to many years later. change, and as a business we will reduce our carbon emissions, waste “Leading a team on how to plan for need to make big decisions and and potable water consumption by 50,000 new homes by 2020 – in investments with their future in mind.” 30% by 2030. just one London borough – was “This is a big eye-opening for a girl from rural commitment in Taranaki, as was seeing the step- Nicola Cordner both how we change from industrial wasteland to manage current riverside community in the short time I activity so we can was in London. do better with less “I was involved with planning for and introducing strategic waste management facilities future innovations for four east London boroughs to be more during that time in London, and then sustainable as the planning for and protection of the airport grows.” nationally-significant infrastructure while at Transpower. Career “Infrastructure gets in your blood and Completing a having been part of the Wellington Bachelor of Airport team for a few years now, I Resource and see why so many people get hooked Environmental on aviation. Planning (Hons) at “Working with NZ Airports and Massey University my fellow airport colleagues on a in the Year 2000, number of industry initiatives and Ms Cordner issues – including the never-ending commenced her amendments to the Resource career with policy Management Act, our response advisory/analyst to PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl

2 NZ Airports Magazine | August 2019 substances) and now sustainability – provides a great opportunity to collaborate and share experiences and resources on our common issues.” Arrivals and departures Inspiration/future goals This issue we start a new “airport people news” feature As well as being driven by the goal Mary-Liz Tuck has joined Auckland Airport as its general manager of of helping bring others along the corporate services. Libby Middlebrook is the airport’s new head of sustainability journey – one which she communications and external relations observes can require a lot of work – Nicola Cordner has been promoted from airport planner to a new role Ms Cordner advocates for and as manager of sustainability and environment at Wellington Airport supports diversity at Wellington Airport (see our interview this issue) and across the industry. Westport Airport’s new manager is Kim Campbell “A variety of perspectives, culture, socioeconomic circumstances and Taupo’s Mike Groom has stepped down from his position after 12 experience can bring great value to years as chief executive and general manager of Taupo Airport (see decision making and outcomes. I our interview this issue) would love to see further development new NZ Airports members are West Auckland Airport (see our programmes delivered out of diversity interview this issue), Oamaru Airport, Ashburton Aerodrome and initiatives to ensure those voices engineering and infrastructure advisory company Aurecon are captured. “I have been extremely fortunate in my career to date that great opportunities have presented themselves at the belief that they can be and achieve New Zealand’s classic tramping tracks right time, so I haven’t (yet) had a whatever they set their mind to.” or snowboarding in the winter. I’m an active relaxer! career master plan. I studied resource External interests management with the ambition of “I am also a trustee for Paekawakawa making a difference to our environment Outside of the workplace, Ms Cordner Reserve in Island Bay, a privately- – big call for a dairy farmer’s daughter! trains a women’s running squad owned piece of land that is slowly – so a role in sustainability 20 years and enjoys mountain biking and being regenerated through planting later is really exciting. adventure racing. and pest control. It’s a cool little “Life goals are to keep the passion for “I recently ran Ultra Trail Australia in community initiative that we can what I do and hopefully instil some of the Blue Mountains with a group from contribute to as a family and our girls that passion in others. And giving my our squad and enjoy a few weekend are now seeing the positive changes girls aspiration for their future and the missions to fast-pack some of they have contributed to.”

Cementing in legislation a sustainable funding solution for smaller airports

NZ Airports chief executive Kevin Ward

Around the country a number of our airport members have been celebrating success in achieving funding from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF).

Contributions from the Government The short-term joy of gaining The PGF primarily targets opportunities fund to future-proof terminal and other support for valued regional airports for additional growth and improved infrastructure upgrades have been is understandable. However, it is resilience in the next year or two. But welcomed by the Bay of Islands, not a long-term solution to the airports need to maintain infrastructure Gisborne, Chatham Islands, Westport sustainable funding of New Zealand’s and safety standards for decades into and Invercargill Airports. smaller airports. the future.

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 3 NZ Airports strongly believes that good promote efficiency in the airport There is an essential unfairness in transport policy requires a sustainable sector. But what about airports that the Government’s dealings with funding framework for the long term, genuinely cannot begin each year small airports. Five of them are with the goals of air connectivity and with the expectation of even just co-owned by the Crown in joint venture resilience for small communities. This breaking even? arrangements. This provides those should be cemented in legislation. five with a valuable degree of financial We want to see an identifiable group support, while other comparable small We have therefore made a strong of small airports carved out of the airports have no such support. They case on how to roll this out, in our general “act commercially” mandate, rely on subsidies from their council recent submission to the Ministry leaving the policy and its beneficial of Transport’s current aviation owners and small ratepayer bases. outcomes in place for airports that are legislation review. commercially self-sustaining. We think the two fundamental components of sustainable funding are: New fair framework Small airports would need to apply to proposed enter the new framework – meaning 1. recognise in legislation the class they could still opt for a wholly local of airports that (because of We are proposing a new framework solution if preferred. their scale and circumstances) that establishes a group of airports cannot realistically operate on a that would be exempt from the Supporting national commercial basis current valid requirement to act as a “commercial undertaking”. connectivity 2. establish a national funding system capable of sustaining Airports are part of a national transport The draft Bill proposes removing the core airport infrastructure and system, just like State Highways. section that states airports must be safety standards, with funding There should be a national funding operated as commercial undertakings. powers for the Ministers of system that ensures sustainable, safe We understand that this is because Transport and Finance set minimum standards and facilities. That the requirement is considered obsolete in statute and redundant. kind of funding assistance system is in place for the national land transport Our preliminary estimates put the We don’t agree. system – why not for air? funding requirement for small airports at about $20-30 million over five years The requirement for airport authorities For these “non-commercial” small – less than the cost of one road bridge. to operate or manage the airport as airports, the funding responsibility a “commercial undertaking” should should be a shared one between It would be a stable fund that be retained, but with an exception central and local government. Small communities can depend on for the for small airports that cannot meet airports and their communities can take long term, and take over once the this standard. responsibility for operational costs, but Provincial Growth Fund has done its It remains the case that a statutory not the occasional big lumps of capital welcome job for the current round of duty to operate commercially helps to cost and maintenance. airport projects.

Bay of Islands Airport received $1.75m from the Provincial Growth Fund to assist with future-proofing its new terminal building

4 NZ Airports Magazine | August 2019 Is your airport ready? Alpine Fault Project prepares region for a major emergency

Iain MacIntyre

A sobering picture of the seismic hazard in New Zealand and the significant risk posed by the Alpine Fault in particular to the South Island has been painted by University of Otago Centre for Sustainability research fellow and deputy director Caroline Orchiston.

Ms Orchiston says scientist Harold Wellman discovered the Alpine Fault Caroline Orchiston in the 1940s and subsequently made the connection that it has been actively moving over millions of years. A more recent finding of a section of alternating soils and silts at Hokuri Creek (Southland) had enabled Crown Research Institute GNS Science to date past Alpine Fault earthquakes and model their recurrence rate. This has led to the following conclusions: 27 events over the past 8000 years long history of large earthquakes remarkable regularity over 8000 years on record – no reason for that to stop happening the next event is inevitable Alpine Fault behaviour has consequently been defined as: rupturing about every 300 years last rupture 1717AD major co-seismic and cascading role as science lead for the work that estimated to produce Magnitude consequences Emergency Management Southland 7.8 to 8.2 earthquakes has initiated – the Project Alpine Fault significant human, environment, Magnitude 8 (AF8). AF8 has a goal rupture lengths of 400 infrastructure and economic kilometres impacts of building a collective South Island Alpine Fault Earthquake Response eight-metre to ten-metre (SAFER) plan. horizontal and two-metre to The stark reality three-metre vertical surface Ms Orchiston is proactively addressing Ms Orchiston says AF8 has produced a displacement the stark risk realities through her credible science scenario and is raising

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 5 awareness through a series of regional workshops as well as its Website and social media. It is bringing stakeholders together to produce a response plan. Airports in emergency “We settled on what was considered the most scientifically-credible option responses – key messages of an epicentre in the south of the fault airports are a critical lifeline in emergency response right off Milford Sound with the energy air responses to the Project Alpine Fault Magnitude 8 (AF8) scenario travelling mainly out towards the will be needed across multiple locations northeast,” says Ms Orchiston. preparedness is everything – are you ready? A startling animation of that scenario – in which earthquake waves advance at about three kilometres per second, resonating significantly in response activities (including which makes up about 40% of our the Canterbury basin due to its deep animal welfare in farming tourism market. I think those initial sedimentary base – shows it will only communities) few days of seeing the carnage in take two to three minutes for the waves Christchurch replayed again and again cascading events – adverse to reach the Nelson/Marlborough area stuck in people’s minds.” and will cause damage as far away as weather, landslide dams and the lower North Island. aftershocks However, on a positive note, Ms Orchiston says that both tourists – evacuations, media “Ground shaking is just the beginning,” Christchurch Airport and the focus and implications for says Ms Orchiston. Christchurch-based air traffic control tourism recovery Major earthquakes can generate system are among those to receive greater damage from secondary “Recovery takes years and is unique to praise in a review of the Civil Defence hazards such as landslides, quake the places affected.” & Emergency Management response lakes and dambreak floods. These to the Canterbury earthquakes. She events also expose critical lifelines. Impacts on airports says the airport also placed a high and aerodromes priority on taking care of its people in “State Highways are crucial for general the aftermath. access, tourism and goods (dairy/ Looking specifically at South Island mining) transportation, but they pass airports/aerodromes in the AF8 “Christchurch Airport had run a full, through steep, landslide-prone terrain scenario, Ms Orchiston says the real-time business continuity exercise and there is little redundancy in the project’s analysis predicts widespread in May 2010. networks. The loss of roads and power damage to facilities, with some likely “After the September 2010 earthquake, will hinder the response.” to be taken out of operation. Even for the airport installed accelerometers to Ms Orchiston says the AF8 scenario those that remain operational – with improve assessment of damage and predicts hundreds of fatalities and Christchurch, Timaru, Oamaru and got its runway inspection process down thousands of injuries – exact numbers Invercargill facilities predicted to fare to one hour from three hours. being dependent on the time of day best – their response involvement “Accelerations in February 2011 were and year as well as basic human would be impacted by the highway 0.5G – significant – but the airport behaviour in the event. network being taken out of operation. reopened within three to four hours. In regard to tourism impacts, A detailed assessment of the Kaikoura the scenario predicts related “They’ve also purchased satellite earthquake has helped inform AF8 infrastructural damage, reduced phones, since Air Traffic Control had response planning. However, that access, temporary business closures no external communications.” earthquake had a significantly-smaller and tourist casualties. rupture of 180 kilometres compared to This article is based on a presentation the 400-kilometre AF8 scenario. Noting that immediately following the at the NZ Airports 2018 Conference. Canterbury earthquakes, the region’s Ms Orchiston adds that “scenario annual total guest nights fell from earthquakes” tend not to transpire as about 175,000 to less than 100,000, Airport News Releases expected, with factors including: Ms Orchiston highlights a potential Please send your airport damage to highways – correlation to the constant media news releases to dispersed social impacts, coverage of the aftermath across implications for recovery and the Tasman. isolated communities for inclusion on “That, I think, has played a major damage across urban and role in the very slow recovery of the our Website. rural settings – prioritisation of Australian market to New Zealand,

6 NZ Airports Magazine | August 2019 Trans-Tasman viewpoints Christchurch Airport corporate affairs general manager Michael Singleton andAustralian Airports Association (AAA) chief executive Caroline Wilkieprovide the following two overviews on issues being faced on their respective sides of the Tasman.

Living with airport economic regulation in New Zealand

Iain MacIntyre New Zealand airports have about 100 different regulatory instruments to comply with, says Christchurch Airport corporate affairs general manager Michael Singleton, noting that in 2018 the business spent seven months invested in developing its five-year pricing proposal.

Economic regulation can have a significant potential impact on airports Michael Singleton and their shareholders – particularly as it influences how the businesses can invest in their infrastructure. How airports go about their pricing equations becomes a major exercise, he says. In simple terms, that encompasses airports assessing the capital expenditure and operating expenditure required by their regulated assets – runways, terminals, freight and hangars – which is then multiplied by the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) to determine target revenue. “You’ve then got to go through some Mr Singleton outlines that if $10 was the mixes they are using [prove complicated processes of forecasting the given target revenue from an how many passengers you are going wrong] or you hit some of those individual passenger and $100 was the to have – what is your demand going heavy issues we’ve seen before – the total targeted revenue, then facilitating to look like over that period?” says Global Financial Crisis, severe acute ten passengers would achieve that Mr Singleton. respiratory syndrome (SARS) – and target and additional passengers would you hit $80, then that is a hit the “That is not an easy process. We have see the target exceeded. airports take directly. to work very hard to build up a picture However, all manner of factors outside of what that’s going to look like over “They don’t get the opportunity to of an airport’s control can cause such the next five years. We then work out a re-earn that. That has a clear impact targets to be missed. pricing structure and in the end, if you on your ability to invest and ability to get that, then that will be the amount “If some of those decisions about support some of the other activity that you earn as a commercial return.” where the airlines point their aircraft/ we see going on at the major airports.”

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 7 Opening the books Commerce Commission then performs just completed a terminal rebuild at its own analysis of the document, in the time and had not raised prices Airports are required to “open up what Mr Singleton describes as an for a decade. However, in light of the our books”, which has led to the exacting process. Canterbury earthquakes, the airport development of very detailed “They are required to look at a couple chose not to potentially further impact fixed-asset registers. of things – have we been limited in the local economy and opted to delay Quipping that even flag poles have our ability to extract excessive profits its price rises. – so are we acting as an egregious come into the conversation, Mr Yet this decision had the unforeseen monopolist, you might say. The other Singleton nonetheless explains that outcome of the business attracting area they are required to look at is this consultation process with airlines considerable criticism as it was not around service, quality and innovation.” does carry considerable weight. A able to provide full transparency about recent example being Christchurch Mr Singleton says his airport prides the extent of those future price rises. Airport’s $20 million proposal to extend itself on excelling in the latter sphere, Admitting this was in part due to the its runway by about 200 metres getting but notes the conversation ultimately airport itself not having finalised its put to one side. tends to be more focused on the former. numbers at that time, Mr Singleton Following the completion of this “open Reflecting on the last occasion says the business has learned from the books” consultation process, the airport Christchurch Airport set its prices in experience and taken the regulator’s publishes its pricing decision. The 2012, he says that the business had criticism on the chin. The airport environment – an Australian perspective

Iain MacIntyre

Ms Wilkie highlights that Australian airports are major drivers of the economy – in 2016-2017 contributing A$34.6 billion in economic activity and A$32.3 billion in tourism activity as well as providing 206,400 airport precinct jobs and 339,700 facilitated tourism industry jobs.

The ten largest airports in Australia are to attract new carriers, routes and Other main issues being addressed by now privately operated under leases services. International services are Australian airports include: from the Australian and Queensland now also more evenly spread across responding to significantly- Governments, with superannuation the country than prior to privatisation. increased security requirements funds and investors providing most of following the major review of their equity. security at both major and Ms Wilkie, whose association regional airports across the represents 300 airport and aerodrome country undertaken by the members, notes that privatisation Commonwealth Government – has unlocked investment in airport the somewhat “onerous” new improvements, which has in turn regime including much greater delivered additional capacity and deployment of scanners, improved efficiency. comes at huge cost, needs to “Investment is definitely benefiting be completed in a very short passengers,” says Ms Wilkie. timeframe and may potentially “Passenger ratings of their departure jeopardise the economic experiences have risen at all four major viability of some services airports since 2012 and all four major incorporating the PFAS (per airports have improved their Skytrax and polyfluoroalkyl substances) ratings over this time.” National Environmental Ms Wilkie says international airfares Management Plan and National to Australia have fallen about 40% Caroline Wilkie Framework for Responding to since 2006, as airports have invested PFAS Contamination

8 NZ Airports Magazine | August 2019 ensuring land use planning essential maintenance and agreements between airports and is co-ordinated at local, state upgrades at regional airports in airlines and reflects the robust nature and federal levels to facilitate Australia at ratepayers’ expense of commercial negotiations.” sustainable airport operations Airport charges Research commissioned by the AAA implementing Manual of has also determined: Another significant matter before the Standards (MOS) 139 the return on capital employed AAA is the Productivity Commission updates – this progression at Australia’s four major (PC) review into airport pricing. This entailing a more outcomes- airports remains below has been driven by airlines seeking based regulatory framework global industry average which considers operational stronger controls than the current complexity and risk, but with light-handed regulatory regime. the return on aeronautical assets is even lower an appropriate transition “Previous PC enquiries have found period deemed essential. The airport charges have little impact on Ms Wilkie says the close partnership AAA is engaging with the Civil airfares. An ACI Europe study confirms with New Zealand Airports is useful, Aviation Safety Authority on airfares generally do not fall if airport given the respective industries’ close implementation charges are lower. proximity and the clear crossover in issues. She welcomes NZ Airports continuing the Protect Regional “The average discounts on airport members attending future AAA events. Airports campaign as regional charges provided to airlines has costs increase – local councils increased since the last PC review. For further information go to www. are currently subsidising This is the result of direct commercial airports.asn.au.

FEBRUARY 2019 APRIL 2019

The open book approach: The open book approach: New factsheets New Zealand’s airport charges How NZ’s largest airports are regulated

# # Airport charges at Auckland, NZ Airports has Auckland, Wellington and Wellington and Christchurch Charges are set every Christchurch airports are airports are set by the subject to a transparent and airports every five years, and demanding regulatory regime FIVE YEARS scrutinised by the Commerce that includes rigorous oversight Before setting prices, Commission. Our regulation to travel through by the Commerce Commission. airports engage with airlines fact sheet explains this produced two new our biggest three about capital expenditure process in detail. domestic airports. programmes. It is common At regional airports for proposals to be altered this charge is just after engaging with airlines. The regime is designed to $6-$7(avg) make sure that the charges The Airport Authorities Act airlines pay to to use airports factsheets on how requires all airports to provide are fair and reasonable. # financial transparency. All airports must consult $13-$26 with airlines before setting is the average airport charges - making all relevant charge for international The ID regime is about consumers. information available. passengers Charges are set by the It ensures airport charges New Zealand’s largest airports under an Information are invested into airport Disclosure (ID) regime. infrastructure to improve The regime was introduced the customer experience in 2011. It provides transparent, and allow airports to All airport companies with independent oversight by the more than $10 million in keep growing. Airport charges pay for all infrastructure Commerce Commission annual revenue must also airports are regulated at airports, including runways, taxiways, and public scrutiny when consult with their major users check-in areas, departure lounges, these airports set charges before any large development airbridges and fire and rescue services. that impact airfares. expenditure is approved. # and the open book NZ’s three largest airports ID covers essential infrastructure at airports send the Commerce including runways, taxiways, freight facilities, Commission annual pricing aircraft maintenance and fueling facilities, The process is fair and disclosures. These allow the check-in areas, departure lounges, airbridges transparent. All information Commission to assess pricing and fire and rescue services. is available and fully debated options. Airports apply the approach. Visit before decisions are made. Commission’s rules and consider its guidance when setting pricing.

www.nzairports.co.nz New Zealand Airports Association | nzairports.co.nz | Phone: +64 4 384 3217 New Zealand Airports Association | nzairports.co.nz | Phone: +64 4 384 3217

Airports’ open book approach ensures charges are fair and reasonable Airports must publicly report full pricing information to the Commerce Commission Every report since 2011 is available on airport websites. or E-mail bernie.walsh@ Airport prices have not changed significantly since 2011 Airport charges are a small part of the cost of airfares NZD Real average charges per passenger # $20 Open book on airport For Auckland, Wellington Once set, airport charges are typically in place for $15 Auckland pricing. Airports must and Christchurch airports, five years.Changes to Wellington re-assess their aeronautical the price-setting process is costs, revenues, traffic $10 Christchurch charges at least every rigorous, fully transparent five years. and may take 12 months volumes and development nzairports.co.nz if you $5 At least or more. plans during that time are 95% managed by the airport $0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 airline within existing charges. costs Up to

Charges at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch 5% airport would like copies of are comparable to or below other airports worldwide charges Airport prepares pricing proposal with full explanations, SDR Total 25 Aeronautical revenue per passenger cost estimates, forecasts, and Units = internationally comparable Special Drawing Rights development proposals. 20

15 Airport consults with these factsheets. The Average global aeronautical Airport considers major airlines. Airport revenue per passenger 10 Commission report and provides all relevant may decide to review information, answers Airports by ranking 5 aspects of pricing. questions and considers inputs with an open mind. 0 GAP ANA

Delhi How it works: Perth Miami ASUR ACSA AENA Zurich Avinor Beijing Vienna Athens Finavia Sydney Geneva Fraport Calgary Mumbai Brussels Brisbane Swedavia Auckland Bangalore Singapore Pricing cycle for Auckland, Melbourne Vancouver Stockholm Dusseldorf Cape Town Wellington Hong Kong Manchester Los Angeles Los Tokyo Narita Tokyo Copenhagen Christchurch San Francisco Johannesburg

factsheets outline the Chicago O'Hare Wellington & Christchurch London-Gatwick Dallas/Fort Worth Dallas/Fort London-Heathrow Malaysian Airports Malaysian Aeroporti di Roma Aeroporti Amsterdam Group Amsterdam Washington Dulles Washington Aéroports de Paris Aéroports Aeroporti di Milano Aeroporti Airports of Thailand

Washington National Washington Airports Aéroports de Montreal Aéroports Source: Airport Performance Indicators 2018 by independent consultancy Leigh Fisher Commerce Commission Airport considers Note: Christchurch and Wellington added by NZ Airports independently assesses outcome of new charges, consults consultations, balances with interested parties competing requirements (airlines, technical and decides on final regulatory system in Airports are strategic assets contributing to the wellbeing of local economies experts and others), package. The initial and reports publicly. proposal is often changed as a result of consultation. New Airports add Most airports Every passenger generates Airport reports to Commerce charges come into effect for up to five years. are fully or Commission, including 5 year plans for: expenditure; revenue; target profit; partly owned (avg) a simple two-page $395 traffic forecasts and construction by local in a region’s economy, programmes. to the New Zealand councils plus visitor spending economy every year System health check AUCKLAND, CHRISTCHURCH AND illustrated publication. WELLINGTON “Information Disclosure was considered to be working well” people are employed AIRPORTS at airports across have returned more than Source: MBIE Initial Briefing on the Commerce Amendment Bill 2018 to the Transport & the country to local communities over the last five years Infrastructure Select Committee, 14 June 2018. The regime was reviewed in Parliament in 2018 - minor improvements were made with support from the airports. Airports help build communities and connect people New Zealand Airports Association | nzairports.co.nz | Phone: +64 4 384 3217

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 9 Retirement but not departure for Mike Groome

Iain MacIntyre

Mike Groome is signalling every intention to continue his long-term involvement in the aviation industry despite stepping down from his 12-year tenure as chief executive and general manager of Taupo Airport in May.

Reflecting on his time with Taupo East Coast Aero Club. He became Airport, Mr Groome says resolving an the club’s president and oversaw it historic conflict between the users of becoming the first organisation in the airport and the airport operator New Zealand to be certified by the was one of the most satisfying Civil Aviation Authority under Part 141 achievements in his career. – a first for flight training. “There was a lack of understanding “This led me to become involved with between the users and the operator the Royal New Zealand Aero Club of their respective roles and (Flying New Zealand). I served responsibilities,” he says. some 20 years on the executive and as president. Seeing the issues “This involved sport aviation and I have “Being the first manager of the airport a passion for that. who was a practising pilot, I could see “In the late 1970s I learned to fly the issues from both sides of the fence. helicopters and set up a company This enabled me to communicate with which was initially involved in deer some degree of knowledge around the recovery. It later moved into agricultural Mike Groome issues that were causing the problems. and air transport work. We also industry. He is grateful for the huge “Due to these issues, the airport operated the rescue helicopter in amount of experience they have had been issued with a ‘Black Star’ Hawke’s Bay for a number of years.” shared with him. Early advice given by the International Federation of by one particular individual around Airline Pilots’ Associations. It was Farming and flying how to make difficult safety decisions very satisfying to have that Black Star Additionally owning and operating a proved invaluable. removed by getting all sides focused 600-hectare sheep, beef and deer on a common goal of operating safely farm for over 30 years, Mr Groome’s “The easiest way to consider if your in a co-operative environment.” involvement in the aviation industry decision is right or wrong is if you can stand up in a court and put your hand In regard to his main frustrations, has been considerable and varied. In more recent times, this has included on your heart and tell the judge that Mr Groome says serving two masters work with Aerosafe Risk Management you did all that you could to mitigate with differing agendas at the joint- in Sydney, the New Zealand Aviation the risk. I use this every day when venture airport caused some difficulties. Community Advisory Group, making tough decisions.” He would also like to see bureaucracy New Southern Sky and his own firm, reduced within the aviation industry. AvSafe Consultants. Aviation family “The process and timeframe to get The Swiss-based Federation Mr Groome says he has also learned simple projects moving forward is a Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) from experience the best way to deal time and money-wasting exercise. awarded Mr Groome the Paul with different people and groups who Common sense is often not part of Tissandier Diploma for Services to have personal and differing viewpoints. the equation.” General and Sport Aviation in 2005 and “Nothing beats sitting around the table the FAI Air Sports Medal in 2015. Mr Groome’s involvement in aviation discussing the issue so everyone began in the late 1960s when he Mr Groome says he has come across understands each other’s view. Once learned to fly at the Hawkes Bay and many large personalities in the aviation this is done, much of the battle is won.”

10 NZ Airports Magazine | August 2019 Mr Groome quips that his life outside of “So the conversation in our household “However, since leaving Taupo Airport the workplace is still work. when we all get together is often my golf clubs have moved from the very limited. He and wife continue to act as back of the garage to the front. industry consultants and they have “I still have interests in aviation. It is not “I am planning to spend some time two sons that fly – one commercially hard for me to stay involved because I in helicopters and the other as a have been a part of so many aspects of taking any future frustrations out on the private pilot. the industry over a long period of time. little white ball.”

PBN and airports – what we’ve learned so far

Iain MacIntyre

Stakeholders are doing a “grand job” of navigating the performance-based navigation (PBN) change process as part of the overall transition to the New Southern Sky (NSS) airspace modernisation plan, says NZ Airports spokesperson Garry Goodman.

Noting that achieving the target of Although noting the significant generating funding for the ground- implementing a fully PBN-enabled range in operational scale within the based navigation aids required to environment by 2023 requires close association’s membership across the support Global Navigation Satellite collaboration of a number of key country – and consequently differing System (GNSS) navigation – this not groups and organisations, he says range of priorities held – he says the presenting as an issue for larger, Air NZ Airports is ensuring the concerns of benefits as outlined in Section 3 of Traffic Control-governed airports, given its members and their communities are the PBN implementation plan will such instrumentation and service is heard during the process. be enjoyed by large and small included in Airways New Zealand fees. airports alike. “The NSS framework has provided The issue that has arisen is that a some of the most effective forums “The benefits of PBN are evident, “technical alternate” may be required of collaboration across the aviation supported and being quantified.” under the rules governing GNSS industry that I’ve seen in my career,” placing a constraint on the operation of says Mr Goodman. Challenges aircraft with limited range capability at remote airports. “I’ve been impressed that airports However, he says there are challenges have been able to participate in that need to be resolved, particularly “Assumptions were made” in a recent system-wide discussions.” for smaller airports. One of which is report produced on the ground-based navigation aids required to support GNSS navigation, Mr Goodman observes. But the nitty gritty detail now being advanced for the rules could pose a problem for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in remote areas. While observing that the trialling of PBN flight paths at the main commercial airports got off to a rough start – Auckland Airport particularly receiving negative publicity over the potential effects on communities – he says the process has subsequently evolved positively. A report produced late last year by an NSS working group panel highlighted

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 11 potential challenges, particularly for smaller airports, in regard to access to Required Navigation Performance (RNP) procedures for operators PBN benefits having only Area Navigation (RNAV) ICAO Assembly resolution 37-11 recognises that the implementation of PBN capability. However, the Civil Aviation creates a number of safety and efficiency benefits. Authority has subsequently drafted In particular: “deeming” provisions to specifically address this potential obstacle. that straight-in approaches provide significant safety enhancements Early exposure draft that approaches with vertical guidance provide further safety enhancements Mr Goodman notes that with new issues continuing to arise as the PBN that the optimisation of the terminal control area through environment is further explored by implementation of RNP and RNAV SIDs and STARs will provide for stakeholders – particularly in regard more fuel-efficient aircraft operations to interpretation of the Concept of Achieving a full PBN operational environment in New Zealand is being driven Operations – there are calls for an by outcomes based upon: early exposure draft of the governing rules to be issued. safety enhancement While this would be a deviation operator efficiency from the normal rule development operator accessibility process, Mr Goodman emphasises that standard checks and balances airspace capacity would still play out. However, he says fuel efficiency enabling full stakeholder examination of potential interpretations would infrastructure optimisation arguably deliver a less contentious and environmental benefits better-accepted outcome. social benefits “Amelia Earhart said ‘the most effective way to do it, is to do it’ and perhaps with the rules that might also be beneficial.” curved flight paths enabled by PBN. one will be more reliable and accurate Work is ongoing in this area with the aircraft approaches to airfields that Another challenge to airports is how International Civil Aviation Organization their requirement to identify obstacle do not currently have an Instrument expected to provide guidance. limitation surfaces – which are Landing System (ILS). This will be enabled by the Satellite-Based published in local authorities’ district Benefits plans to avoid potentially hazardous Augmentation System (SBAS), if that developments to aviation – take However, again returning to the is implemented. into consideration the offset and benefits of NSS, Mr Goodman notes Mr Goodman emphasises that New Zealand’s airports are committed to being good corporate citizens and continuing to contribute positively to the modernisation of the national airspace. “Respecting the needs of their neighbours, they want to work with those affected by the noise of aircraft operation and they also want to ensure their facilities deliver an efficient infrastructure for their customers and users.”

This article is based on a presentation at the New Southern Sky Approach19 Australasian PBN Forum, hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority in Wellington in early April.

12 NZ Airports Magazine | August 2019 Inaugural Security Awareness Week at Queenstown Airport

QAC

Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) has broken new ground in hosting its inaugural Security Awareness Week in collaboration with New Zealand Customs Service, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Police and the Aviation Security Service (Avsec).

Engaging the whole airport community “Being a first, it was difficult to estimate where it explains the right answer. It’s – from biosecurity to baristas, both what the response from the airport a great tool to reinforce the week and landside and airside – the initiative was community would be. But again, it was to bring new team members up to the a resounding success of participation, outstanding. People were engaged, same level of security awareness. collaboration and communication, says interested and went out of their way “We have already had over 100 people QAC terminal operations manager to enable their staff to participate complete the E-learning module in its Daniel Dodd. alongside our own. first week of being available, across 39 “As far as we know, this is not only a “Everyone is far more aware of different companies.” first for us, but also for New Zealand what security means at airports, the The recent week-long programme airports,” says Mr Dodd. reasons we have different rules in included sessions on the roles different places in the terminal and the “When we approached Avsec, and responsibilities of biosecurity, risks involved.” Customs, MPI and the Police to sound Customs and the Police. This included them out, no one knew of an anything Mr Dodd says there is significant value biosecurity dog demonstrations, an like it. But they were quick to get in having security-conscious people airside tour and a workshop run by behind us. throughout the airport community. To Avsec, as well as fun activities such as continue the educational effort, the a scavenger hunt. “Everybody fully supported our goal to airport has also invested in developing increase awareness of the importance Mr Dodd says Security Awareness an E-learning module for its online of security and the roles the front- Week will become an annual fixture training site. line team must play, as well as the at both Queenstown and Wanaka contribution everyone in the airport “The E-learning module covers a range airports. He also sees potential for the community can make to keeping the of security questions and if a wrong programme to be rolled out across airport safe for our customers and staff. answer is given, it opens a new section other New Zealand airports.

Biosecurity New Zealand dog handler Belle Phelon and Guinness demonstrate biosecurity baggage screening to the Queenstown Airport community during inaugural Security Awareneness Week

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 13 Invigorating times at Christchurch Airport for Brodie Akacich

Iain MacIntyre

Christchurch Airport sustainability manager Brodie Akacich is revelling in a role he says is challenging, diverse and requires flexibility to accommodate constant change as well as capacity for innovative thought.

Mr Akacich joined the airport as environment manager in September 2014, which evolved to his current position three years later. He is particularly proud of the calibre of the airport’s sustainability initiatives, which have seen it achieve the following national and international recognition: NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards 2017 – Energy Efficiency Champion Award Airports Council International Green Airports Recognition 2018 – Silver Recognition (Project Coffee Cup) Launch of Christchurch Airport’s EV programme NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards 2018 – Going developed the Christchurch Airport after eight months of investigation Circular Award Finalist (CIAL/ Green Transition Plan (GTP). and planning. Part of the launch of Fulton Hogan Plastiphalt trial) our EV fleet was the airport becoming “The sustainability report was Mr Akacich says he is pleased a member of a global initiative EV100 published in 2017,” he says. the airport has published its first and so becoming the first business sustainability report, introduced “It started out as a simple board report in the South Island to sign up to electric vehicles (EVs) to its fleet and intended for a closed audience, but commit to transition our vehicle fleet was so well to 100% electric. received our “We began by changing our corporate chief executive office vehicle fleet of nine vehicles to requested we EVs and four of our operations vehicles make it publicly to plug-in hybrids. Eight specialist available. It utility vehicles performing airfield, fire then set the or passenger shuttle services are foundations still in our fleet, until suitable electric for the FY18 alternatives become available in sustainability New Zealand.” report, which was included as Mr Akacich says the GTP started a key component out as a benchmarking exercise, of our FY18 in partnership with the consulting annual review. firm Airbiz. “We introduced “We benchmarked ourselves against Brodie Akacich with former Fulton Hogan national EVs to our fleet the most sustainable airports in environment and sustainability manager Sophie Kennedy in May 2018, Australasia, of similar size, and

14 NZ Airports Magazine | August 2019 With family

the recognised industry leaders with Townsville Airport in the middle “My position has rapidly evolved from in Scandinavia. We learned we of 2009. a compliance-focused position to performed well in comparison to one where sustainability became my “Before I joined the industry, I found the top airports, but were not core role. In 2016, a colleague and I myself spending increasing amounts global leaders. were asked to write the airport’s first of time at regional airports through corporate sustainability strategy. We “From there, the GTP evolved into a my resource management role. I began linking the great work that had research project looking at what the became more and more interested been underway for many years across best airports were doing, and what in how they worked, and the the business, improving synergies and emerging ideas and infrastructure relationships and logistics of getting telling the sustainability stories behind we could adopt to become global a large group of people from the the projects, all of which set us on the leaders in sustainability. This was middle of nowhere to somewhere. path we’re on today. completed recently and some early Little did I know at the time, within projects focusing on decarbonising six months I’d be responsible for “I enjoy the challenge and diversity of my current role, but my favourite part operations at Christchurch Airport environmental management at three is the constant change. Like most roles are already underway – namely the of those airports.” decommissioning of our boilers in in aviation, no two days are the same favour of ground-source heat pumps He recalls joining Christchurch Airport and everything is always changing at a and the expansion of the provision at a time it was undergoing a major rapid pace. construction phase. of fixed-electrical ground power to “The greatest challenge about my work all aerobridges.” “During my introduction, my is that it is rare to find an out-of-the- counterpart advised me there were box solution. This certainly isn’t a bad History 20 projects I had to come up to speed thing, it challenges mindsets about Mr Akacich served four-and-a-half with quickly – ranging from a runway how to solve a problem and it requires years as natural resource management shoulder replacement, through to innovative thinking.” officer at the Queensland Department the development of a landfill into of Natural Resources and Water, a rental car precinct. This began a Reflections/future goals before his introduction to the aviation fascinating part of my career, where Mr Akacich describes the aviation sector when appointed environmental I was involved in so many different industry as a dynamic and evolving sustainability and management officer construction projects. space with networks at its essence,

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 15 and says the ability to make contacts economic and and further relationships is invaluable. new industry potential to be “Diverse networks open up unlocked. I would opportunities for sharing ideas and like to think I’ll information, as well as solutions to have the skill set problems encountered by others and, and experience in my case, a potential employment to help shape it.” opportunity in a foreign land. “Building on my previous point around External networking, the most important aspect interests of sustainability is collaboration with others. Whether it be within our own Given his company or with our stakeholders, upbringing ultimately many stakeholders working in North together to deliver projects will create Queensland, meaningful change.” Mr Akacich says outdoors Asked about his immediate future activities have, plans, Mr Akacich says he wants to and continue to, feature heavily in his in 2006 – game one – the game that bring as many of the projects identified life outside work. started the infamous 11-year dynasty. within the GTP to life as possible. “My father was always taking my “On a personal note, I met my beautiful “The hard work now begins!” he quips. brother and I fishing. Most long wife in 2005 and her unwavering “Medium term, I’m aiming to weekends were spent camping in support is the reason I’ve been become a respected and recognised remote locations away from creature able to achieve what I have! We sustainability professional. I’ve always comforts … and with the creatures honeymooned in New Zealand during tried to bring a real and pragmatic most Kiwis fear (lol). Fishing and 2010 and agreed if the right opportunity approach to sustainability. This is the camping are still passions of mine, but came along at the right time, we’d approach I want to be known for, rather over the years I added archery, four- consider a working holiday in the than achievements or perceptions. wheel driving, hiking and an occasional South Island. bit of novice skiing to that list. “Ultimately, the call of home grows “A year later, we started our family strong and I intend to return home to “I grew up 400 metres from the home and have since been blessed Queensland at some point in the future ground of the North Queensland with three happy healthy boys (though not quite yet). Whether that’s Cowboys and played junior rugby (seven, five and three years old). in the aviation industry or another, I’m league in the shadow of the The youngest was born here in not yet sure. I would love to stay in the construction site that became that Christchurch, which often attracts a aviation industry, but there’s only so stadium, so the passion for my team cheeky question at passport control many airports! was there right at the beginning. when we present four Australian and one New Zealand passport. “The political climate around “Naturally this passion extends to sustainability in Queensland is the mighty Queensland Maroons. “Growing up in Canterbury, our sons currently very unstable, but once it However, the tyranny of distance has quickly became obsessed with rugby stabilises, there is much unrealised meant I’ve only seen them play once, and the Crusaders, with the elder two playing junior rugby for Christchurch Football Club. I often joke with other parents on the team that I’m raising future Wallabies in the same crucible of their opponents, in the hope of making Australian rugby great again!”

16 NZ Airports Magazine | August 2019 Industry vision for streamlining journeys emerging

Iain MacIntyre

An overall vision is emerging within the aviation industry to streamline journeys for passengers using New Zealand airports, says Airbiz New Zealand/Pacific general manager and head of aviation business Iain Munro.

“I feel more optimistic about near-future border agencies and government He says potential benefits are being progress than ever before,” he says. policy makers.” derived from earlier provision of advanced passenger information (API) “This is based on my current Despite naturally varying priorities to border agencies. There is also observations of, and participation in, and agendas, Mr Munro sees a vision various intuitive, quick, convenient, the strongest level of collaboration for the future is developing across reliable and even contactless occurring between airports, airlines, the sector. measures in check-in, luggage handling and security screening processes for departures, arrivals Iain Munro and connections. Mr Munro calls for industry discussion over potential collaboration to push for standardised procedures and outcomes for domestic and international passenger security screening points at the main trunk and international airports, and potentially some secondary airports. This would enable domestic passengers to connect to international flights without repeat screening, facilitate the mixing of domestic and international passengers in departure areas, deliver efficiencies in swing capabilities for gates and enhance the utilisation of terminal assets and even airline fleets. However, he says as such convergence gets tantalisingly closer, so matters in the international context can easily change – the introduction of international but not domestic screening for liquids aerosols and gels (LAGS) being provided as a recent example. Progressive improvements Looking back on his time in the sector, he says there has been tremendous progress. “I was the project manager for the modernisation of terminals, opening of

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 17 domestic Koru lounges and installation of domestic aerobridges – remarkable at that time because these did not exist prior to 1987.” Report card Mr Munro’s “report card” on streamlining – “mixed results” Following Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating promoting an aviation stricter security screening has arguably made air travel safer – but at reform package in 1992, Mr Munro was a huge price in time, anxiety and dollars then involved with the Tasman Task airline reservation and departure control systems have become Force which examined the concepts of reliable, so that the regular hassle of duplicated seat assignment has a Single Aviation Market and common become a relic of the past border around the two countries. airline mobile apps have put substantial information, choice and Although that task force concluded convenience into the hands of travellers the objectives were generally feasible, crucial policy decisions would be biometrics have made border processing easier and quicker required for common visas, biosecurity biosecurity and customs monitoring remain challenging and probably and the movement of endangered more imposing than in the past species, alongside infrastructure aerobridge boarding is pretty much standard – but when it is not, challenges to segregate cleared and bussing isn’t too much fun uncleared passengers. departure cards are going “While the Single Aviation Market aspects progressed, the common border proposals foundered on the rocky issues of sovereignty, increased utilisation of airport record, boarding pass and common visas and the complexity of and airline assets bag tag biosecurity requirements.” overall faster journeys security status – today’s However, at about the same intrusive screening time, Mr Munro gained personal He questions whether, despite “Today’s technologies, applied to this satisfaction from implementation of the computed tomography (CT) scanning technology advancing simple vision, can enable a travel ground-breaking “Blue Lane” product experience where a valid traveller can and process for Air New Zealand to identify genuine liquid explosive threat materials and obviate the enter and pass through our airports Tasman passengers. without any touchpoints, without need for LAGS restrictions, there is showing any documents and without “It enabled international passengers the political will to impose those any hassle – with biometric facial to check-in as late as only 30 minutes additional cost and process burdens recognition, on the move, being before departure time and to be on domestic travellers. the token. precleared to cross the border through “Unless, we – you – as an industry, the dedicated Blue Lane with only a “That will make the experience for airports and airlines together, minimal check by a Customs agent, travellers through our airports even genuinely believe that the benefits thereby dramatically shortening their more streamlined, hassle-free and from common departure lounges overall journeys. enjoyable, realising descriptions that warrant those burdens.” are now emerging into the current “The key to this initiative was that we lexicon for planners – seamless, Mr Munro sees even more spectacular set up the first real-time passenger frictionless and contactless. advancement in the field. data exchange between the airline “Simple – and soon.” and Customs, sending passenger and Imagination travel data and receiving back border This article is based on a presentation preclearance notification.” and innovation at the NZ Airports 2018 Conference.

Mr Munro emphasises the industry Bringing the imagination of Hollywood into the real world of Auckland, he needs to keep delivering streamlining Airport News Releases envisages an environment where the benefits for travellers and stakeholders token for travel processing would be Please send your airport alike through: the biometric of an individual’s face, news releases to enhanced protection of borders validated and linked in the background to the digital records of: fewer touchpoints and queues for inclusion on identity – today’s passport reduced duplication of our Website. processes journey – today’s booking

18 NZ Airports Magazine | August 2019 New technology brings safety, reliability and improved access to airports

Iain MacIntyre

A recently-concluded Australasian trial of Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) technology has revealed its deployment in the region would deliver quantifiable benefits to the aviation sector.

The system – which improves the accuracy and integrity of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Update announcement positions, headings and velocities – was tested in a collaborative In June, LINZ Minister Eugenie Sage announced $2 million project involving Land Information funding to explore a joint SBAS exploration project with New Zealand (LINZ), Geoscience Australia and research and product Geoscience Australia. development firm FrontierSI.

Testing SBAS via three different signals over 28 projects in ten sectors, Two of those projects specific to SBAS can enable CAT I the two-year trial’s objectives included: aviation – which involved Airways “Instrument Landing System assessing current and future New Zealand and Airservices (ILS)-like” approaches at technology Australia – identified: airports and helipads without ILS equipment exploring current industry GNSS already provides positioning requirements lateral guidance to support SBAS does not require performance-based navigation infrastructure to be installed at exploring industry innovations (PBN) standards for some each airport phases of flight ultimately, determining benefits LINZ senior positioning advisor Dave of SBAS to the New Zealand SBAS provides enhanced Collett says the project has confirmed and Australian economies vertical positioning with GNSS three major areas of benefit to the aviation sector. “The first one was reduced risk of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT),” SBAS Workings he says. “So obviously, if you know where you Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) technology are and with precision, this was one is used in the process of enhancing the accuracy of the key quantifiable benefits. It basically means you can fly into and integrity of Global Navigation Satellite System more places, more frequently and (GNSS) data. with less risk. This entails reference stations receiving raw positional, heading and velocity “The next one was network reliability. So by reducing the approach minimum data from GPS satellites, which is then processed and corrected to remove you can have fewer delays, diversions inherent errors, with the corrected data then broadcast out to users via and cancellations – especially in bad communication satellites. weather which affects the regional areas in particular.

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 19 “The last one that we identified was benefits were reported by all industries A full report on the outcomes of the trial increased rescue and medical flights. involved in the two-year trial. was expected to have been published So this is around helicopters and that by the middle of this year. sort of craft.” “One of the things we were really This article is based on a presentation While highlighting the positives specific surprised by was how broad the actual at the New Southern Sky Approach19 to the aviation sector, Mr Collett says potential benefits are.” Australasian PBN Forum.

New QAC general manager corporate and community affairs

QAC

Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) recently welcomed Sara Irvine to the senior leadership team as general manager corporate and community affairs.

Ms Irvine has extensive experience in we manage our social, environmental She holds a masters in journalism communications and corporate affairs, and economic priorities.” and an undergraduate degree in with a strong community focus. Ms Irvine lives in Queenstown with communications from the University of She was most recently director of her family. Technology Sydney. communications and operations for First Peoples Disability Network based in Australia.

Prior to that, Ms Irvine was general manager of public affairs for Outcomes Australia and managing director of SAZCOM, a communications and engagement consultancy firm.

At QAC Ms Irvine is responsible for corporate and community affairs, including internal and external communications, stakeholder engagement, government relations, regulatory matters and the sustainability programme.

QAC chief executive Colin Keel says he is delighted to welcome Ms Irvine to the senior leadership team.

“She brings a breadth of skills and a depth of experience across a range of sectors that will add value to our work at this important point in planning our future direction,” he says.

Adds Ms Irvine: “I’m looking forward to being part of the team and working with the community and corporate stakeholders to ensure that QAC plays Sara Irvine its part and strikes the right balance as

20 NZ Airports Magazine | August 2019 PBN at Wellington Airport – an update on community engagement and implementation

Iain MacIntyre

An impressively-low number of enquiries have been received by Wellington Airport during the first six months of it trialling proposed new performance-based navigation (PBN) flight paths.

Joining Auckland and Christchurch the northern suburbs of Johnsonville, in the right way, I don’t think it would airports in pioneering the PBN routes, Churton Park and Tawa – the business necessarily have gone as well.” Wellington Airport launched a proactive was able to establish the existing In addition to providing transparency community engagement campaign in baseline level of noise. It has then on the trial, Wellington Airport March last year, which included issuing monitored changes in noise patterns sustainability and environment an information brochure to about following the September 2018 manager Nicola Cordner says the 12,000 potentially-affected residents. commencement of the 12-month PBN business is also developing a strong flight path trial and developed graphics In addition to notifying the community evidence base to clearly illustrate which contrast the routes and display of the trial, engagement has seen an any noise impacts from the new the locations of enquiries. easy-to-complete noise enquiry form PBN routes. added to its Website, where WebTrack Noting there had been some Calculation of the interim trial results can also be accessed to enable users uncertainty as to how those to March 2019 have revealed benefits to identify individual flights and gain underneath the new flight paths such details as their height above might react, Wellington Airport to include: a property. communications and marketing general flight distance saved – 11,235 The noise enquiry form includes manager Greg Thomas describes kilometres provision for users to raise specific receiving just 15 enquiries during the flight time reduced – 864 issues for the airport to follow up on interim trial period as a great result. minutes and respond to – the business likely He also notes the airport’s endeavours responding that a given flight was fuel saving – 33,800 to inform and engage have generated within expectations or, if a shortcut was kilograms/$33,800 a positive response in the media. detected, consequently approaching a CO2 emissions reduced – transgressing airline. “It has worked incredibly well,” he says. 107,000 kilograms Having for the first time installed “It is due to a lot of factors and it is passenger value of time saved noise monitors outside of its 65LDN not just communications – if we ran a (estimated at $22/hour) – airport noise boundary – one each in terrible process or didn’t inform people $46,000

Wellington Airport is currently undertaking full analysis of the trial data to date and is expecting to issue a draft report for community comment in October this year.

Expectations are that, compared to a conventional step-down approach, aircraft using PBN will generate less noise because their engines are close to idle. With landing gear also able to be deployed closer to the runway, noise levels will be reduced even further.

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 21 By November this year the airport “It’s been positive, we’ll just keep at This article is based on a presentation is planning to have considered any the engagement and keep talking to at the New Southern Sky Approach19 feedback received and consequently Australasian PBN Forum, hosted made adjustments to flight paths people as things come up,” adds by the Civil Aviation Authority in where feasible. Ms Cordner. Wellington in early April.

Airport construction – looking to the future, learning from the past

Iain MacIntyre

“Fit for the future” developments are a focus for construction firm, Fulton Hogan, with national development manager Michael Fulton advising the firm is advancing a range of such initiatives.

These include: development of high rut- airport surfacing chipseals resistance asphalt handbook published PlastiPhalt trial at Christchurch Airport – plastic oil container exploration of other new JetBlack solution trial in waste being pulverised and economic and environmental Australia converted into polymer solutions operating its South Island fleet on biodiesel following the recent purchase of GreenFuels in Christchurch Recent projects work with Hydrogen NZ Fulton Hogan’s recent airport projects and learnings: He says Fulton Hogan’s long and Christchurch Airport Taxiway Echo, as part of the airside maintenance rich history in the airport construction contract – “In Australia and other places they go and relay the whole industry provides a lot of experience to asphalt, but at Christchurch we do it in chunks and it works well.” draw upon as it looks to lead the way for future-focused projects. Wellington Airport Taxiway widening and overlay, entailing 186 nights with the last three nights’ work taking about a month to complete It is a story of a family business that due to adverse weather – “The big issue was how to keep the guys supports families, with Fulton Hogan’s motivated, how to stop the fatigue setting in.” team now entailing 8000 families across New Zealand and Australia. Auckland Airport Project Lima, hardstand asphalting – “This is a critical asset, but as we are all finding out, so is the airside.” “That provides big financial reward to New Zealand as well,” says Mr Fulton. RNZAF Base Whenuapai, replacing hardstand “When the two founders – Bob Hogan and Jules Fulton – set up the business

22 NZ Airports Magazine | August 2019 they were about a partnership. But soon after they created a share Michael Fulton scheme for the staff. That is very important to taking the staff along with us. Most of the staff we have today, like myself, are shareholders in Fulton Hogan.” Mr Fulton says for the past 85 years his family and the organisation has believed in both embracing and building communities. “It is what we’re about, where it begins and it ends.” He says the company values the long relationships it has developed with its airport customers through a shared history of successfully working together. “At the end of the day, it comes down to the people doing the projects.” Dunedin beginnings Fulton Hogan was founded in Fairfield (Dunedin) in 1933 by Bob Hogan and Jules Fulton (Michael Fulton’s grandfather) after the pair were made redundant by another construction firm in the Great projects around the Pacific, using its also figured largely in the firm’s history, Depression. This was also about new mobile asphalt plant to complete including projects at Glentanner the time that New Zealand’s aviation contracts in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Aerodrome and Tekapo Aerodrome in industry had its own beginnings. Norfolk Island and Samoa. the 1990s. Mr Fulton credits Dunedin with The predominantly Stubbies-clad team Changing times exemplifying the “pioneering spirit”, had to overcome some challenging noting a good number of construction circumstances, including barging Mr Fulton’s first introduction to the firms still in operation today have in all equipment and supplies to sites. aviation industry was Christchurch originated from the city over the years. Mr Fulton also recalls someone Airport in 1998. There the team worked on the runway in daytime as planes Fulton Hogan’s first foray into the once trying to shoot two of the firm’s took off and landed overhead. airport sector came in 1962 when it board members. provided bitumen and chip surfacing “We won’t be going back to Papua He has a photograph of a worker at Dunedin Airport. Given increasing New Guinea in the near future. cooking lamb chops on the top of a aircraft weights, asphalt then became 30-tonne roller while completing the “But it was actually really good for our necessary and the firm duly brought Christchurch Airport overlay. staff at the time in the early 1980s. over the country’s first mobile drum We were very much a seasonal “I don’t think that would be allowed asphalt plant from Europe to lay the operational, so we could go up there in nowadays, would it?” airport’s runway in 1964. the winters.” He says technology has evolved over Projects at Christchurch Airport, Having acquired a company which the years, particularly the equipment Oamaru Airport and Queenstown had been operating in the Australian used for paving, profiling, surveying, Airport followed. airports sector since the 1970s, Fulton grooving and water cutting. “Smart “We have been connecting Kiwis Hogan subsequently established its Kiwi thinking” has often come to the for generations.” own presence across the Tasman in fore to tailor efficient and cost-effective the 1980s. Today it works at about a solutions, instead of resorting to Pacific projects dozen Australian airports each year. expensive overseas purchases. In the early 1980s, Fulton Hogan In the New Zealand operation, Mr This article is based on a presentation became heavily involved in airport Fulton says that chipseal work has at the NZ Airports 2018 Conference.

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 23 West Auckland Airport seeks airport authority status

Iain MacIntyre

An application to gain airport authority status by West Auckland Airport is now being considered by the Ministry of Transport, following the conclusion of a recent public consultation and submission process.

Located in Parakai – a rural township near Helensville – the airport is seeking to rectify its current rural zoning as a prudent business measure. This has been particularly driven by ramifications of the continuously- evolving Auckland Unitary Plan, explains West Auckland Airport manager Simon Lockie. “We had a zoning which has worked up until now and it is still workable, but the criteria is not remaining the same, it is changing,” he says. “I don’t think it is ideal for us or the neighbours – when we’re clearly an airport through and through – that we’re operating under rural rules. Sooner or later, you say it is time to get up with the appropriate rules. “The Airport Authorities Act adequately deals with what we do and provides a lot of certainty for everybody.” Simon Lockie Having participated in a public meeting as part of the application process, Mr Lockie says he was surprised to find “The fact is that over 80% of our Remaining relevant the focus and concerns of the local traffic is commercial already. We community often being drawn to “what won’t be changing to be a commercial “The plan has always been about we aren’t doing”. airport – we’ve always been a trying our best to remain relevant as an airport and changing what we do to suit “The airport is currently used commercial airport.” that. We’re focused on efficiencies. predominantly for skydiving, flight Mr Lockie says achieving airport training and private recreational flying. authority status would eliminate the “There is demand for skydiving. The We have no intention to commence time and expense currently required plan is about staying available and flying large passenger jets to Hong to apply for resource consent when relevant to demand. Kong, for example. Yet some people in seeking to undertake developments “In the last five years we’ve put in the community appeared focused on such as building another hangar. almost $2 million in buildings in this as an issue. However, he emphasises that evolution response to what is going on. “There has been some interesting and would not circumvent the need to make robust community discussion. We have a consent application if seeking to, for “We’re growing at a comfortable realised that a lot of local people don’t example, extend its 850-metre runway pace at the moment – revenue is have a good handle on what our airport (745-metre sealed with 105-metre good, we’re unencumbered by debt, does and what airports do in general. grass extension). we’re profitable.”

24 NZ Airports Magazine | August 2019 Software development He adds that in response to the needs of its users, the business embarked upon a software development project in 2010. “We now provide aircraft monitoring software to 40 airports across New Zealand and Australia. Most airports haven’t stopped and founded their own software development company to overcome airport issues.” Consented in 1984 following a decade- long process, West Auckland Airport has been in private, family ownership since 2005. A prime illustration of ongoing organic interested to hear what the other Its workforce entails contractors – growth at the airport is Skydive angles are. including Mr Lockie – with airport Auckland’s move four years ago to “Sometimes outside investment is businesses and other private consent an immediately-adjacent stakeholders employing about 40 people owning a piece of what you 120-acre drop zone. That drop zone is people and owning all but two of the have and sometimes it is them deemed an add on to the airport’s 40- facility’s hangars. acre operational facility. trusting in what you are doing and/or working alongside you. It takes many “It works for us. We’ve been doing New business different shapes.” it for 15 years – I can’t say that any particular week looks like it did the Mr Lockie says the airport is open to However, proposals also need to be year before.” receiving new business approaches a good fit for both the airport and its from potential investors. Based on Ministry of Transport community. He cites a recent example officials’ advice, Mr Lockie expects a “We don’t have a plan out there to of an approach to accommodate an decision on the airport authority status attract people, but we don’t pretend to amphibious aircraft operation that was application at the end of the year or see all of the angles – so we’re always consequently turned down. early 2020.

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 25 Visions and transformations – from LHR to JFK to AKL

Iain MacIntyre

Mott MacDonald Asia-Pacific and Australasia aviation practice leader Ian Guy and Grimshaw Architects partner Andrew Perez provide a joint overview of three significant airport development projects their firms are currently advancing together.

London’s Heathrow (LHR), New York’s passengers a year (compared “While the airports are in different John F Kennedy (JFK) and Auckland to 78 million at present) locations within their cities and cater airports are each gateways to their for different population sizes, the JFK 2050 – reducing from six shared issue is that they have a respective cities, note Mr Guy and currently-used terminals down vision to deliver a step-change in Mr Perez. Despite entailing three to five, maintaining the same transformational use.” different scales of operation, the three 5000-hectare land area and airports share a key future vision. accommodating 100 million The LHR project “They all need to transform themselves passengers a year (compared to something different than they are to 60 million at present) Primary features of the project’s strategic brief related to: today and undertake a major step Auckland 2044 – introducing a change in their development,” they say. second runway, consolidating airlines from two terminals to one Notable elements of the projects are: colleagues combined, maintaining the LHR 2035 – introducing a third same 1500-hectare land area passengers runway, increasing land area and accommodating 40 million investors by 50% to 1840 hectares and passengers a year (compared accommodating 130 million to 21 million at present) United Kingdom communities

Ian Guy and Andrew Perez

26 NZ Airports Magazine | August 2019 The pair describe the evolution through vision/propositions/guiding principles to outcomes/requirements/evaluation criteria and ultimately concept of JFK and Auckland – visions operations/masterplan. Key environmental parameters to be for transformation met within the project include: New York’s JFK Airport’s existing facilities entail a mixture of three relatively- CO2 – United Kingdom Climate modern terminals and three legacy, undersized terminals. There are also two Change commitments terminals which have become vacant during the course of the past decade. air quality – European Union Announced in January 2017, the JFK vision includes: limits major new south side international terminal on site of Terminals 1, noise – 30% quieter than today 2 and 3 A think tank was established to higher-capacity road network examine what a future LHR could major new north side international terminal on site of Terminals 6 potentially represent. Key findings of and 7 which included: autonomous airport landside precinct and ground transportation hub future ways of working Auckland Airport’s vision is about the following key design principles: virtual world step change Internet of Things platform efficiency cognitive Heathrow dealing with legacy optimised door-to-door journey complexity intermodal hub connectivity personalised journey community mobility assistant human-centric peer-to-peer networking drive value experience centre multi-year programmes multi-purpose urban centre nation’s gateway global brand regional advantage carbon-neutral airport strong identity “That’s a lot of things to think about, but that’s what airports are – you’ve got to be thinking about those things. and decentralising the terminal box to Government designating its National The list is the same for all three of foster “airport urbanism” as opposed these airports, regardless of how big Policy Statement in 2018. to “aerotroplis”. or small.” If approved, it is expected World-class connectivity is envisaged The future Heathrow vision describes the Government will grant the by providing public transport in central its “Third Space” concept as: Development Consent Order to the terminal areas, accommodating private project in 2021, with construction to rethinking the airport terminal cars at the perimeter and providing connections by autonomous vehicles commence two years later. super efficient, super lightweight to ultimately facilitate a complete affordable, flexible and multinodal network – “from car phaseable to concourse”. Airport News Releases Please send your airport exceptional passenger Project timeline environments news releases to The LHR project timeline began unparalleled sustainability in 2016 when the United Kingdom for inclusion on The “Heathrow Gateways” element Government announced its preferred of the vision will open up the airport option, with consultation evolving our Website. perimeter, engaging local communities through 2018 and 2019, and the

Level 8, Midland Chambers, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington | PO Box 11369, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 | +64 4 384 3217 | nzairports.co.nz 27 Applications of EME2 at airports – stronger, thinner and longer-lasting asphalt

Iain MacIntyre

Airports stand to reap significant whole-of-life cost savings on their asphalt infrastructure investment via EME2 high modulus asphalt technology developed in France 30 years ago.

That is the message from Road Dr Arnold highlights the detailed the results of side-by-side structural Science’s principal pavement engineer process of core sample-taking, testing asphalt road installations at Aotea Dr Greg Arnold, who notes that airports and measuring of conventional and Quay in Wellington. There, the which use conventional asphalt can EME2 asphalts via the Repeated Load conventional solution had a five-year find their sites failing to rutting in just Triaxial apparatus. The latter simulates life, whereas EME2 was showing nil six months. wheel loads in the laboratory which distress after one year. “With EME2, a ten-year life can easily Road Science undertakes to inform Further north of Wellington, the design be expected, making the decision to and qualify the findings (an example of of a roundabout joining State Highways use this solution a no-brainer,” he says. which can be viewed at https://youtu. 2 and 58 north of Wellington proposed be/PK9hZIJR9Us). to use conventional 210-millimere “We want to help our customers to do asphalt – whereas, EME2 could deliver the right thing in the right place. To do Another test used is wheel track a 150-millimere application. that we need to build trust.” rutting, whereby a loaded wheel is run backwards and forwards over a sample In conclusion, Dr Arnold summarises Dr Arnold explains that conventional surface until a rut develops. the advantageous experiences of asphalt requires excellent interlocking of EME2 to date as including: aggregate particles to “hold everything “After 10,000 passes of the wheel, in place” and provide sufficient rut a conventional asphalt would have conventional plant used resistance. Such grading also typically a rut depth of about six millimetres. 30% thinner comes with very tight controls. In the case of Road Science EME2, we can get rut depth of less than one less disruption/easier to In contrast, the performance-based millimetre after 60,000 cycles!” construct design of EME2 relies on the strength of its binder to prevent rutting. The binder To test fatigue resistance, a load is solves rutting problems – both used is a hardened bitumen resulting used to deflect the beam of a sample, slow and heavy wheels from heating and cooling with air. which generates a tensile strain at its “EME2 standard asphalt mix is now a base. This process is used repeatedly “The result is a binder sometimes serious option available for designers to determine how many times the referred to as ‘black concrete’ to consider.” which renders aggregate grading beam of a sample can deflect before it This article is based on a presentation requirements obsolete, provided cracks or breaks under a given load. at the NZ Airports 2018 Conference. performance measures are met.” This comparative testing with a conventional asphalt has illustrated that EME2: NZ AIRPORTS ASSOCIATION has ten-times greater fatigue life Level 8 Midland Chambers has three-times higher modulus 45 Johnston Street resulting in third less tensile Wellington strain under load PO Box 11369 Manners Street is 30% thinner Wellington 6142 Dr Greg Arnold Looking outside of the airport www.nzairports.co.nz environment, Dr Arnold contrasts

28 NZ Airports Magazine | August 2019