Today
Regular types using the airport now are, ATR 72-500, and Dash 8 Q-300. On rare occasions Boeing 737's for heavy peak loads (sports events).
Air New Zealand is the major carrier operating from the airport. Subsidiaries Air Nelson and Mount Cook Airline operate Bombardier Q300 and ATR-72 types, respectively. Air Nelson has a small maintenance base to service Q300 and ATR-72s as up to three aircraft are stabled overnight.
A fully covered baggage carousel was commissioned in 2001. Air New Zealand and Invercargill Airport Ltd shared the cost of refurbishing the Jetway in 2008; this can be used on all of its fleet from the ATRs to Boeing 767/787s.
In 2005, the runway was extended to 2,210 m at a cost of NZ$5 million, as of 2012 it is the third longest civilian runway in New Zealand, capable of handling aircraft up to Boeing 767/Airbus A300 sized aircraft. However there are no turning bays at each end for the longer undercarriage tracks of the larger Boeing 777/Airbus A330 wide-bodied types, thus preventing their usage. The runway itself is only 45 meters wide and does not comply to international regulations for the larger four jet engined aircraft. However the positives are that Air New Zealand cut airfares due to the domestic fleet using a more economical take-off run thus saving fuel. The terminal apron and gates can permanently sustain aircraft no larger than an Airbus A320 (although baggage container handling equipment is unavailable for this type). RNZAF C-130, Boeing 757-200 and USAF C17 Globemaster transports are occasional visitors. The apron is marked out as a turn in, turn out but a towing tractor is available for potential push-back operations.
The airport is currently in the process of a long term $5.5 m facelift; the construction of an arterial road and a covered walkway to the terminal has been completed. The enlargement of the terminal building to provide fully integrated security jet air service standards is planned for development by 2015. Secondhand ground handling equipment for A320 type aircraft are being obtained. Runway resurfacing with a fresh top of asphalt over its older sections has helped to increase weight limits for aircraft usage.
Read more about this topic: Invercargill Airport
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