3 Jun 2016

Wellington Airport standing by runway extenstion proposal

7:35 pm on 3 June 2016

Wellington Airport says it's not worried by a review of its case for a runway extension.

The review report says once the runway has been extended, only four of nine big jets could safely take off with a full passenger load.

The airport says it is taking a responsible approach to extending the runway, because more than one aircraft type will be able to reach important destinations like Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

And it says those planes can also fly to nearer destinations, including Bangkok, Manila and Kuala Lumpur.

The airport also says international airlines that do not currently use the airport are satisfied with the proposed extension.

The review was commissioned from Astral Aviation Consultants as part of the airport's resource consent application.