Queenstown Airport gets into the groove for safer landings in snow, rain

Queenstown Airport will be the first in the country to have diagonal grooves that will make aircraft landings safer in extreme weather conditions such as snow and rain.

The airport’s general manager of operations and safety, Mike Clay, says “trapezoidal” grooving is now considered global best practice. “Grooved runways are common around the world, particularly for large airports in the US, Singapore and Australia where climate extremes require measures to increase surface friction,” says Mr Clay. “They will be particularly helpful for aircraft landing in wet weather.” 

The grooves are cut across the runway surface and enable water to flow freely off the side. 

The grooving project will cost $750,000 and is expected to start in mid-March. It will be completed at night over a six to eight-week period with no impact on flights or day-to-day operations of the airport. 

Construction company Downer, which carried out last year’s $18 million widening and resurfacing of the runway, will  be assisted by Cardinal International Grooving and Grinding.

This specialised company will bring its own equipment from the US to complete the job.

Meanwhile, Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) has bought an additional 43ha block of land, known as Windermere Farm, to ensure room for development at Wanaka Airport.

The above picture also shows two other recent land acquisitions totaling 106ha, which Mr Gilks says will provide a long-term platform for the airport’s future growth. 

“We could not afford to take the risk that the land could be secured by private developers thereby preventing or restricting the long term development of Wanaka Airport,” he says.

Windermere Farm was originally purchased in 1969 by Dorothy and the late Norman Pittaway as part of a 1800-acre farm holding. The original land included a registered grass air strip where Wanaka Airport was later developed.

QAC manages the airport for the Queenstown Lakes District Council, which is considering future options, and Mr Gilks says the latest acquisition is unrelated to that process.

QAC is 75% owned by the council, with the remaining shares held by Auckland International Airport.

Wanaka has no scheduled air services but has a thriving business offering charter flights, helicopter operations and is the base for the biannual Warbirds over Wanaka air show.