The airline industry is criticising plans to extend Wellington Airport's runway, saying there are better ways to spend $300 million. In a submission that went to the Wellington City Council last night, the Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand (Barnz) raises serious concerns about the claimed economic benefits, and fears airlines will be left toContinue reading "The Dominion Post: Airlines question need for Wellington Airport runway extension"
Airport Extension: Looking like a white elephant and yet another consultation failure brewing
In the latest blow to the Wellington Extension idea the Board of Airline Representatives (BRANZ), representing twenty airlines, are sending some mixed messages about whether airlines will fly here if the extension goes ahead. Radio NZ reports BRANZ as stating that there is no intention by any airline to fly into Wellington if the extensionContinue reading "Airport Extension: Looking like a white elephant and yet another consultation failure brewing"
The Dominion Post Editorial: Proof needed for longer Wellington Airport runway case
OPINION: Wellington's leaders support the extension of the airport. The region's mayors have agreed in principle to put $150 million into the project. Business leaders have long supported it. But there are also formidable opponents, including Government ministers. If the project is to fly then its champions will have to make a formidable case. TheContinue reading "The Dominion Post Editorial: Proof needed for longer Wellington Airport runway case"
That Wellington airport extension: Would you invest in it?
Wellingtonians are a funny bunch. We hate change yet we want change. We are prepared to lampoon anyone who either promotes a change, or, anyone who is perceived to be slowing change down. Case in point. A massive negative reaction to a new, I thought clever, design for the airport control tower. Can’t have thatContinue reading "That Wellington airport extension: Would you invest in it?"
Radio NZ: Possible rates rise for Wellington airport runway extension
The Wellington City Council is not ruling out rate rises to help pay for a controversial runway extension at the capital's airport. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson The region's mayors have agreed to stump up $150 million to fund the extension, with mostly borrowed money. But the Government was sceptical, and the national carrier, AirContinue reading "Radio NZ: Possible rates rise for Wellington airport runway extension"
Introducing the Guardians of the Bays
We are the Guardians of the Bays, a group of concerned Wellington residents. We formed this group in 2013 to counteract the seemingly gung-ho approach of the Wellington City Council (WCC) and the Wellington International Airport Limited (WIAL) regarding the long-touted extension of the airport runway – either to the North into Evens Bay, or,Continue reading "Introducing the Guardians of the Bays"
Scoop: Lengthening the runway: $3m, so far, from the council to the airport company
Wellington City Councillors (but not all of them) have voted to give another $2million to the airport company, to help it continue making plans for a longer runway. They gave the first $1million to the controversial cause in May last year. And last night they decided to make a second payment, double the first amount.Continue reading "Scoop: Lengthening the runway: $3m, so far, from the council to the airport company"
Stuff Opinion: Wellington needs a longer runway? Yeah, right
OPINION: When the canon of lost causes is examined in the future, somewhere near the top of the list for Wellington will be the local airport's weird campaign for a longer runway. In recent weeks, Wellington International Airport has been running full page advertisements in local newspapers which, while no doubt welcome cashflow for theContinue reading "Stuff Opinion: Wellington needs a longer runway? Yeah, right"
Keith Johnson: Wellington City Council Debt: Big Ideas and the Gamble for Growth
UNWELCOME FACTS New Zealand as a whole is very similar in terms of both population and GDP to the US State of Kentucky. As far as the Wellington Region is concerned, the metro areas of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Tulsa, Oklahoma are reasonable comparators. Getting down to Wellington City itself, you can pair it off withContinue reading "Keith Johnson: Wellington City Council Debt: Big Ideas and the Gamble for Growth"
Wellington Airport Progress, Leaks, Parking, and Posturing
At the risk of annoying the Chairman of the WIAL Board again, I have some updates on the planned airport extension that have been sent to me by one of the local residents. It makes for interesting reading to say the least and we can be absolutely certain that nothing will be happening anytime soon.Continue reading "Wellington Airport Progress, Leaks, Parking, and Posturing"
Guardians of the Bays 