Muscled Out
02/08/12
As seems to be the case at so many airfields these days, a consortium of small business owners has contested Queenstown Airport’s plans to extend its aerodrome, increasing its footprint by forcing resident occupants off the airfield. Apparently, Air New Zealand came up with the bright idea that small businesses should move on, alleging that general aviation and helicopter activities at the airport ‘restricts’ scheduled service operators. Hank Sproull, chief pilot for Air Milford and spokesman for the smaller operators under threat, highlighted the irony of Air NZ’s magnanimous suggestion: “A lot of pilots that have learnt to fly here now fly for Air New Zealand. This has been a training ground for young pilots to gain experience and go on to fly for the bigger jet and charter companies.”

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