Allan MacGibbon (left) and John Marsh.
New Zealand’s three top airport awards, sponsored by Beca, have been won by the airports of Wellington, Invercargill and Queenstown. The three were honoured at the New Zealand Airports Conference in Nelson as Major Airport of the Year, Regional Airport of the Year and for the Project of the Year (Queenstown’s runway widening and overlay) respectively.
In addition the Beca New Zealand Airport Personality of the Year Award was bestowed on Wanganui’s Allan MacGibbon.
Beca principal/technical director, Airports, Tristan Hughes, presented the awards and said that Wellington Airport had made impressive progress with its redevelopment of the terminal campus. “The Terminal South extension creates a much-enhanced passenger experience, celebrating the views out to Cook Strait and vastly improving the passenger flow through the terminal.
“The airport is also expanding its infrastructure to keep pace with demand, investing in additional parking structures and aircraft stands. In construction, the Safety Wingman campaign has provided a very positive safety culture amongst the project teams.”
Invercargill won the regional award for the transformation of its terminal building after five years of planning, design and construction.
“It is clear that Invercargill Airport has succeeded in its aim to create a terminal building which Southland can be proud of. Since opening, it has lifted the spirits of those working at and passing through the airport and presented a great first impression of the region,” said Mr Hughes.
The Project of the Year prize went to Queenstown Airport for a collaborative effort between client airline stakeholders, consultant and contractors to enable the introduction of after-dark flights.
“The various packages of work which were successfully completed will provide not only an easing of capacity constraints for the airport but also a huge boost for tourism for the region,” said Mr Hughes.
“The project was made significantly more complex by the need to return the runway to an operational state each morning, without fail, for the construction period of over four months. This required an extreme commitment and attention to detail from the entire project team as there was no room for error.”
The runway works were designed and managed by Beca and constructed by Downer, with the all-important lighting installation being undertaken by Airways NZ. The project was completed on time and budget.
NZ Airports chief executive Kevin Ward said the awards were hotly contested and showed the health of the airport sector and its commitment to meeting the demands of growth. “The judging panel highly commended New Plymouth Airport for its innovative new Jetstar terminal, which re-used a building from another site.”
Allan MacGibbon’s Personality of the Year Award reflects his commitment to NZ Airports and to Wanganui Airport. He has been on the board of the association since its formation in 2008.
“He has ably and vocally represented the interests of the regional airports and regional economies in New Zealand and has been instrumental in agreeing service levels with Airways New Zealand,” said Mr Ward.
“He is a high-energy individual, a mentor for newcomers to the sector, and is well known for his good humour and costumes at the annual conference dinners, often picking up the prize for best-dressed. We understand he is retiring from his position on the Wanganui Council, although will continue to support the Airports Association.”
- Report by John King, photography by Gino Demeer.