Nelson Airport appoints Wellington 'leaning tower' architects for redevelopment - Nelson Mail

Nelson Airport has appointed Studio Pacific Architects to its redevelopment project - the same firm that came up with a leaning tower design for the control tower at Wellington International Airport.

The airport company announced last year that it had begun a review of its facilities and was looking to expand its terminal.

Now it has appointed Wellington-based firms Studio Pacific Architects and Impact Project Management to the redevelopment project.

The public will have to wait and see what design they come up with.

Studio Pacific Architecture's design for Airways New Zealand's new control tower at Wellington International Airport has been publicly released and planning consent is being sought for the the building that appears to be leaning into Wellington's prevailing northerly wind.

Nelson Airport chief executive Rob Evans, who was appointed to the job last December, said there was nothing in its brief about coming up with an iconic design and the first three months would be assessing the current terminal, then it would be a case of looking at aspirational needs and what it could afford.

"The architects have done some extremely iconic and creative structures but it has also done flexible and affordable architectural designs. We are looking to retain a bit of local feel and we would like to open the view across to Golden Bay."

A prime factor would be the cost. "What we build will be what we can afford," he said.

He said the project design brief would take into account customer feedback from research undertaken late last year and the airport management team's strategic planning.

The redevelopment comes as Air New Zealand expands its engineering maintenance at Nelson Airport, and the new Kiwi Regional Airlines plans to make Nelson its hub.

"We are developing for future growth at the airport," said Evans. "Air New Zealand's recent and welcome announcement of its Regional Maintenance subsidiary in Nelson is another key platform for growth, and we are also working closely with Kiwi Regional Airlines to ensure the required facilities are available for a successful start for its business."

He describes Nelson as one of New Zealand's most important regional aviation hubs.

However, the airport company has stopped describing itself as ``the fourth busiest commercial airport in New Zealand". It has deleted from its website the claim: ``This is New Zealand's fourth busiest commercial airport, serving over 800,000 passengers per year".

Evans said the claim was ambiguous, did not mean a lot, and confused people.

Nelson and Invercargill are the only airports without passenger numbers listed on Wikipedia's list of the busiest airports in New Zealand. It lists Nelson Airport as sixth busiest last year.

Evans said Air New Zealand had stopped providing data on passenger numbers last year so it did not have correct numbers, but would resume supplying figures from next month.

The airport company's analysis estimated the arrival and departure of 760,000 passengers last year and forecast to reach 1.1 million during the next 20 years. It is forecasting 35,000 commercial aircraft movements this year, with that number expected to reach about 39,000 in 2034.

"We are committed to listening to community ideas and concerns and we will be working to provide ways for people to become more informed about and involved in airport activities, projects and achievements during the coming months," said Evans.

LAURA BASHAM

Nelson Airport Eyes Big Growth - Nelson Mail

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Big things for the small Nelson Airport complex are in the works as new chief executive Rob Evans gets comfortable in his new role.

"It's the best job in aviation in New Zealand," said Evans.

"There is a great opportunity for growth not just for the airport but for the region."

Evans, who started his role as new chief executive last week, said the airport was currently well run but was getting dated.

"We've got constrained, particularly in peak times and it's tired. It needs increased space to meet the growing demand," he said.

This demand was coming from many channels. An increase in tourists visiting the region had contributed and steady business from Auckland was another factor, said Evans.

"Auckland is a real growth opportunity. It's the gateway to New Zealand from a tourism perspective, more flights to Auckland is a big opportunity," he said.

About nine flights come each way between Nelson and Auckland daily. Evans said there was also potential for Christchurch and Queenstown airport links to grow the market.

He intends to strengthen these links by working closely with Nelson Tasman Tourism and other New Zealand airports to gain as much exposure for the region and Nelson Airport as possible.

Redevelopments are also in the works, including expanding parking facilities and bringing new businesses to the complex.

The building complies with current earthquake standards, but Evans will assess whether to restrengthen or rebuild parts of the complex.

"We are going to look at the options in the next few months. It will come down to meeting the demands of the growth in customers," said Evans.

His past experiences were a contributing factor to his appointment of chief executive. He worked at Cairns Airport for seven years where he played a part in organising its expansion to cater to growing demand.

He also worked for Mackay Airport in Queensland, a smaller airport not unlike Nelson's.

"It is similar in that it is quite isolated and reliant on air access," he said.

His experiences in Australia will be beneficial in his work to redevelop Nelson Airport, he said. He has learnt engagement with community and consulting local boards was the most efficient way to approach a redevelopment.

"I can use my past experiences in terms of how we deliver [proposals and redevelopments]," he said.

Bringing in informative displays for customers to learn more about the region is also on the list, and timely as the airport celebrated 75 years in 2013. "There is a whole opportunity to present [the region's] aviation history. I've seen some really good examples of it," he said.

"In terms of redevelopment plans [the history] is something to recognise."

Evans said Nelson Airport was well ahead of every other regional airport in New Zealand. "The passenger numbers alone show this. It punches well above its weight, it's arguably one of the best regional airports in the South Pacific."

JESS PULLAR

10,000 Enjoy Open Day

The Community Fun Day held on 30 November 2013 at Nelson Airport was a great success, attracting a crowd of close to 10,000. The people started pouring in at 9.30 am, half an hour before the opening time and continued right throughout the day. The formal proceedings started at 11 am and included a traditional Maori welcome, speeches and the cutting of the cake which was designed and custom made for the occasion. Helping Kaye McNabb, CEO of Nelson Airport Ltd,  cut the cake was June Spencer who, as a child in 1938, attended the Airport Opening. This was followed by a performance by the Whatukura Kapa Haka Group. During the day the crowd were entertained by the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band and also demonstrations by the Rebecca Bignall Academy of Dance. TV One's beloved weatherman and avid aviator, Jim Hickey,  kept the children busy with photo opportunities and give-aways.

Displays were provided by local aviation related businesses, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nelson-Marlborough Rescue Helicopter, the Red Cross, ATC and many others. These were well received by the public with the feedback being very positive. A total of 18 aircraft including both planes and helicopters were on display so people could get up close and personal. Some were even available to sit in so people could experience the feeling of being at the controls and maybe even dream of one day flying themselves.

The Southern DC3 offered flights over Nelson which was a very popular attraction, this being the last time it will be flying passengers at this type of event before being put into retirement at the Ashburton Aviation Museum in January next year. Also on display was the World War II Avro Anson which was lovingly restored locally over a period of 10 years and believed to be the only Avro Anson certified airworthy in the world.

The day drew to a close at 4 pm and as the hangar emptied it was obvious to all the people involved that the day had been a huge success. Our thanks and best wishes go out to the people of Nelson for their support on this very special occasion.

New Nelson Aviation Book - Sponsored by Nelson Airport Ltd

‘The Story of Nelson Aviation’ by Richard Waugh and Graeme McConnell, launched at Nelson Airport’s 75^th anniversary, is the most comprehensive regional aviation history yet published in New Zealand and the largest book on any topic about Nelson. A4 size with 336 pages and illustrated by over 500 photographs and illustrations, this book tells the story of Nelson aviation - its aircraft, personalities, innovations and events - and how it helped develop the whole sunny province. Aviation’s influence on Nelson has been profound. With challenging road access, no rail link and the barrier of Cook Strait, Nelson had a reputation as a ‘sleepy hollow’. It was isolated and in some ways still is, yet has never been the same since the first aircraft visit in 1921. After aero club beginnings, a pioneering scheduled airline was established at Stoke in 1935.

The opening of Nelson’s new airport in 1938 – 75 years ago - was a key milestone for the region’s social, economic and tourism future. The airport led to a wartime air force station and a growing post-war airline scene. It became the main commercial aviation centre for the upper South Island, including helicopter work and is today the fourth busiest airport for scheduled flights in New Zealand.

Available in attractive soft cover with side flaps and embossed title for $74.90 or collectors hard cover for $89.90. Order from www.nzairlineresarch.co.nz or sales@craigprint.co.nz

75th Anniversary Fun Day at Nelson Airport

75th Anniversary Fun Day at Nelson Airport

To commemorate this significant milestone, Nelson Airport Limited is hosting a community fun day on 30 November to allow the whole community the chance to celebrate in their success and learn more about aviation history in the region. This FREE entry event will offer great entertainment for the whole family: Special guest Jim Hickey, Air Force Band performance, over 20 aircrafts on display, opportunity to purchase rides on a helicopter and the Southern DC3, aircraft fly-overs, Rebecca Bignall Academy of Dance performances, spot prizes, food and beverage on sale,  giveaways, activities and more.

Click to find out more.

Airport of the Year 2008, 2010 and 2012

Airport of the Year

For the second time in three years Nelson Airport Ltd has won the New Zealand Airports Association “Airport of the Year” award. Rival contenders included heavyweights Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, plus Dunedin. At the association’s annual conference held at Queenstown in October, Nelson Airport Chief Executive Kaye McNabb presented an entry emphasising development of the aviation industry at the Airport. It included a time-elapse footage on DVD of the construction of the Air Nelson hangar. Congratulations to all those involved in creating a very successful airport. Nelson is the country’s fourth-busiest airport, with more than 20,000 landings and departures annually, and 640,000 people through the terminal doors. Nelson Airport was Airport of the Year in 2008, 2010 and 2012.

Economic impact of Nelson Airport astounding

Economic impact of Nelson Airport astounding

The direct economic impact of Nelson Airport is about $63 million per year. We recently commissioned an economist to research and report on the financial impact Nelson Airport has for the region. The report measured the dollars that were generated or came into the region that would not be occurring if the airport wasn’t here. It took into account such things as the contribution businesses such as Air Nelson and Helicopters NZ made, and extended down to the taxi fares from the airport and rental car hire income. It did not take into account indirect impact of such things as tourist beds as there is no easy way to establish that the visitors came via the airport. We were astounded at the outcome.Such information can be used to continue to measure growth and identify the areas that are performing well in the region. It can also be used to identify and rank Nelson’s position as an aviation centre and to benchmark the size of the industry here in relation to encouraging further development and investment in the region. It is also important that this sort of information is available to politicians,both local and national, when considering the impact of any proposal,legislation or initiative that may impact on airport operations. Further research is being undertaken to extend the report to cover the whole of the Nelson Tasman region and also to establish a value on the same basis for the Marlborough region