Wellington Airport's $500m upgrade plan

Wellington Airport has unveiled a $500 million infrastructure plan which will see its runway extended.

The capital's airport has unveiled a plan for its spending over the next five years which includes terminal changes and improvements to Lyall Bay community facilities.

It also includes new safety buffer zones designed to improve the airport's safety areas called engineered materials arresting system (EMAS).

The system extends the usable length of the runway - optimising space currently used for safety zones, providing a landing distance increase of over 130m and a take-off distance increase of 26m on the airport's most restricted runway direction.

Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke said the new runway dimensions would allow it to be used as a regular alternate option for aircraft diversions from Auckland or Christchurch.

Subject to final regulatory approval from the Civil Aviation Authority work on the EMAS would begin in March.

Work would also begin next year on upgrades to arrival and departure areas, a new multi-level bar, and a new café with 270-degree views across the airport.

In Lyall Bay, the airport has leased a site at Lyall Bay Junction to Southward Gin Distillery which opens Saturday, with a new waterfront bakery and café Ataahua set to open early next year.

The airport said it was also working with Wellington City Council and the local community on new public spaces and facilities for surfers.

Wellington Airport also had a new logo which would be rolled out Friday on doorway entrances and display panels in the main terminal.

Clarke said the investment programme would ensure that they delivered an airport that was truly fit for the future.

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