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An independent commissioner says Hamilton Airport has made a compelling case to keep the door open for a future runway extension.
If so, that could open the airport to more international routes and bigger aircraft – but not for some time yet.
The airport has been granted the maximum 15-year extensions to the lapse period of three designations. The designations protect land around the airport which would enable a longer runway to be built.
A longer runway could potentially allow for scheduled services by B787-sized passenger and freight aircraft.
Airport chief executive Mark Morgan says the extensions will give the airport and other stakeholders time to work through the full range of possibilities.
“This decision gives us freedom to think beyond the square and look at what might be possible.”
Hamilton’s runway, the fourth longest in the country, is already being extended by 250 metres using a $6.5 million government loan, plus $3.3 million from the airport itself. The government loan, via the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF), was conditional on having the lapse period for all three designations extended.
Mark says the designation decision reflects big changes in the last few years and acknowledges the airport has already done substantial future-proofing.
“Having Jetstar come on board in 2025 completely changed the game. That, along with the government RIF funding for the runway extension, has opened doors to new possibilities and that’s very, very exciting for the wider region,” he said.
“We now have breathing room to further consider future development. A major runway extension and the supporting aeronautical infrastructure for scheduled wide-bodied jets will be a massive investment for the region. We need to be very sure that we have considered all options and opportunities. That is what our shareholders would expect,” Mark says.
“We welcome having the time to explore what the future could look like alongside shareholders, the Crown, airlines and regional stakeholders.” Jetstar already operates direct flights between Hamilton, the Gold Coast and Sydney.
