A blessing was held at Hamilton Airport today to thank
contractors and border agencies and welcome new staff
involved in the airport’s refurbished international
terminal.
The cultural ceremony reflects the
importance of whakapapa of the land and acknowledges the
renewal of the terminal building to welcome overseas
visitors.
The terminal will officially open for
business on Monday, June 16 when the first Jetstar flight
from Sydney touches down in Hamilton, before boarding
passengers and flying back across the Tasman that
afternoon.
From then on, Jetstar will operate three
return flights per week between Hamilton and the Gold Coast
and four between Hamilton and Sydney. The June 16 flight
will be the first time there has been trans-Tasman flights
in and out of Hamilton in 13 years.
Waikato Regional
Airport Ltd chief executive Mark Morgan said this
morning’s blessing acknowledged the hundreds of people who
had contributed to a major regional project.
Wikiriwhi-Heta from Ngaati Hauaa and Hamilton Airport chief
executive Mark Morgan at the blessing this morning
(Photo/Supplied)
“The lead
contractor was Livingstone Building Ltd but a number of
Waikato-based sub-contractors were involved. Today is about
recognising everyone who has played a part in delivering an
international terminal that Hamilton and the Waikato can be
really proud of,” Morgan said.
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“It’s been a huge
job delivered within a tight timeframe. Not finishing it on
time was simply not an option.”
The
refurnished terminal includes provision for full border
controls provided by government agencies including aviation
security, customs, MPI and immigration along with support
from police and health services. Travellers will have access
to a new duty-free story and café.
It
also includes a new domestic jet service lounge, which when
required, can be entirely separated from international
facilities.
A further 300 additional car
parks have been developed, including for use by 60 new
airport-based staff.
The terminal upgrade
is part of a $7 million investment needed to ready the
airport for international services and allow for the ongoing
growth in passenger numbers. The refurbishment was delivered
with no disruption to passengers and no extension of the
existing building. The terminal will be used by around
120,000 international passengers arriving and departing each
year who will pour $45 million per year into the regional
economy.
From June, Jetstar will become the fourth
carrier to operate from Hamilton Airport, joining Air New
Zealand, Sunair and Originair. The airport already handles
around 360,000 passengers annually with more growth
forecast.
Just last week, Air New Zealand announced
domestic jet flights between Hamilton and Christchurch will
resume in September, marking the return of a domestic jet
service after 25
years.
