8 Jul 2014

Council wants full control of airport

6:58 pm on 8 July 2014

The Government is being asked to surrender its stake in New Plymouth's airport. The New Plymouth District Council wants full control of the airport, which it runs in a 50-50 partnership.

A record number of more than 330,000 passengers passed through the terminal last year, and that figure is set to be exceeded in 2014.

Mayor Andrew Judd says the terminal is under immense pressure. He said the transport hub needs $11 million in upgrades, but the Government has been unwilling to contribute.

"It's a matter of allowing us to progress that airport, as it needs to grow. Our partner, the Crown, is reluctant to put money in to help us do that, so it's better that they be out of the way because we're having to work around them allowing us to invest anything," he said.

"We need their permission ... to do it, so extending car parks, car parking, they can veto all of that."

Airport manager Kevin Hill said in his eight years there, it has gone from being the 14th busiest in New Zealand to the 8th busiest and an upgrade is seriously needed.

The Crown would first have to consult with the Taranaki iwi Te Atiawa before agreeing to the request.