Resurfacing of Whanganui Airport’s runway begins on 24 October
Published on 18 October 2023
Work to resurface the runway at Whanganui Airport gets off to a flying start next week as part of ongoing development at the airport.
The runway was last resurfaced with chipseal in 2007, and regular maintenance work to seal surface cracks has occurred each year since 2017. The new asphalt surface will ensure the continuing operation of the airport for all users for the next 15 years.
Whanganui District Council’s general manager - community property and places, Sarah O’Hagan, says, “Whanganui Airport is an essential part of our local infrastructure. The facility acts as both a gateway to our region and a growing centre for flight-based businesses and services, and is critical in keeping our city and district connected to the rest of New Zealand and the wider world.
“Regular daily flights for visitors and commuters are provided by Air Chathams between Whanganui and Auckland, and the airport is also the base for Air Whanganui's air ambulance (medevac) service, the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy, Mid West Helicopters and Ravensdown Aerowork, among others.
“Investment by local and central government into the overall development of the airport, including the runway’s resurfacing and the current reroofing of the airport terminal building represents a long-term benefit to the Whanganui community and will ensure the facility’s future viability,” Sarah O’Hagan says.
Overnight work by contractor Fulton Hogan to resurface the runway begins next Tuesday night, 24 October 2023, and is expected to be completed by the end of November. Each night, up to 50 truck movements will transport approximately 600-tonnes of asphalt to be laid over 130m of the 1.4km-long runway.
The council’s capital works manager, Rosemary Fletcher, says, “Fulton Hogan will have about 50 personnel and 20 construction vehicles onsite each night during the work period to mill and reseal the runway surface in successive stages. The work will occur in five-day shifts from 6.00pm until 6.00am, Sunday evening through to Friday morning.
“If you live on or visit Wikitoria Road, Airport Road, or any of the side roads in the area, please stay alert for heavy vehicle activity once the night works begin.”
Whanganui Airport manager, Phil McBride, says, “To ensure Air Chathams’ flights are not affected by the work, the airport will close after the last passenger flight lands at 7.20pm and reopen the following morning in time for the scheduled 6.45am flight to Auckland.”
He says, “All of the airport’s regular users have been informed of the resurfacing work and the necessity to close the runway during the overnight shifts. To make certain there are no aviation-related issues, airport staff members will also be onsite 24/7 for the duration of this project.”
This project and the current upgrade of the airport’s terminal building are being co-funded through the Whanganui Airport Joint Venture between Whanganui District Council and Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport. For more information about these projects, please visit: www.whanganui.govt.nz/runway-project