New Zealnd's Auckland Airport (AKL) says that it is in the preparatory phase for its only and biggest runway overhaul in 20 years. The Runway 05R/23L needs a refurbishment job that will require the pavement to be upgraded. It needs to be shut down for a period of time to allow the major maintenance to be completed.
Worth noting here, the AKL airport has a single 3,535 m (11,598 ft) runway, which is Cat IIIb capable (at a reduced rate of movements) in the 23L direction. It has a capacity of about 45 flight movements per hour, and is currently the busiest single-runway airport in Oceania.
We still have time for the upgrade ! Even though the major upgrade work won’t start in next five years, various projects happening or on their way ahead of the pavement maintenance that is essential to the future resilience and safety of the airfield.
In about five years’ time, Auckland Airport needs to replace slabs across the main areas of the runway and nearby taxiways, upgrades that are standard practice in concrete airports around the world and, for Auckland Airport, can only be carried out with a full closure of the runway.
Although the work isn’t scheduled until about 2030, a suite of projects is already well underway across the airfield to pave the way for the runway closure, with the airport team progressively upgrading an alternative runway and widening a nearby taxiway.
Back in November 2007, work began on a new northern runway, to be built in several stages and to be used mainly by smaller aircraft, freeing up capacity on the main runway.
The project was put on hold for at least 12 months in October 2009, however, and deferred for a further few years in August 2010 following consultation with airlines and a review of capacity management options.
Auckland Airport’s Chief Executive Carrie Hurihanganui, said:
“As New Zealand’s gateway airport – a single runway operation with over 450 aircraft movements every day - it’s essential we provide a reliable, safe and resilient runway surface that performs every day of the year.”
“The airfield is constantly monitored and maintained, with its condition inspected regularly to ensure slabs are in good condition and replaced within their expected lifespan.
“We are now on the countdown for runway upgrades. We know they need to take place in about five years’ time, and the team is focused on ensuring the airfield is ready for this, with robust plans in place to ensure the airport is resilient and can keep operating safely during the runway closure.”
Reportedly, the AKL airport plans to build the new domestic jet terminal in 2029. The airport last September launched a $1.4 billion equity raise to help pay for billions of dollars in developments, including the domestic terminal’s $2.2b upgrade.
The airfield at Auckland Airport has a primary taxiway (Taxiway Alpha) that will be converted to operate as an alternative runway (contingent runway) that can be used in the event the main runway is closed.
So Taxiway Bravo will be shifted, which will allow aircraft enough space to move and pass each other. Preparations include adding new lighting to the contingent runway and shifting an existing taxiway (Taxiway Bravo) 14 metres to the north.
About 70% of the new pavement is already in place to support the taxiway widening, and new lighting infrastructure is also to be installed on the new taxiway alignment to ensure safe future operations.
Another important measure for the runway closure is the construction of the new domestic jet terminal in 2029, providing a new home for jet aircraft operations away from the current domestic terminal while the contingent runway is in use.
Published by news portal stuff.co, Chief Executive Carrie Hurihanganui explains that without essential new infrastructure, the airport system would become congested and create hours of delays for travelers, she added further,
“The new domestic jet terminal is not only bringing 26 per cent more capacity and easier connections between domestic jet and international flights, crucially it means we can move jet aircraft away from the apron areas on the southern side of the current domestic terminal."
“We can’t operate the contingent runway safely and efficiently without moving those jet aircraft out of the way. We need sufficient, safe clearance between the wingtips of the aircraft using the contingent runway and those taxiing on the adjacent taxiway, but we also need the taxiing aircraft to move past the domestic terminal without a safety risk to parked aircraft."
“Without this essential new infrastructure, the airport system would become congested and create hours of delays for travellers. Not moving the domestic jets to the new terminal would mean that larger aircraft from the international terminal would need to manoeuvre past the parked domestic aircraft one at a time when the runway only had smaller aircraft operating on it."
“It would be like replacing the Auckland Harbour Bridge with a one-lane bridge and that’s not a realistic option for AKL.”
The airport covers 1500ha of land, with the airfield covering 280ha. Auckland Airport last used Taxiway Alpha as a contingent runway (designated as Runway 23R/05L) in 2006 as part of preparations for the main runway to become A380-capable.
During last upgrade, asphalt shoulders were widened by a further 7.5m either side of the main runway to accommodate the overhang of the four engine A380 SuperJumbo, concrete slabs were replaced, and taxiway corners were widened for the aircraft movement, which needed a a nine-week runway closure.
Things have changed since then, in 20 years, aircraft movements have increased, aircraft model changes along with regulatory and operational changes require the Taxiway Alpha to be used as a reliable runway.
“For the contingent runway itself, this means upgrades to the lighting, markings and signage to operate as a runway rather than a taxiway,” said Ms Hurihanganui.
“We also need to work with stakeholders, including the Civil Aviation Authority, air traffic control (Airways) and airlines, to make sure that the contingent runway will operate safely and efficiently for the time that it is in use. That’s work we have started and will continue right until the contingent runway is operated."
“Longer term, having a contingent runway that meets today’s standards of operational safety and efficiency provides resilience should the main runway unexpectedly be out of action or for any future runway maintenance.”
In its latest annual report, the airport revealed that multiple important had to be taken to keep the airport runway fit for the purpose and pave the way for the integrated terminal.
The AKL airport is one of New Zealand’s most important infrastructure assets, providing thousands of jobs for the region. It handled 71 per cent of New Zealand’s international air passenger arrivals and departures in 2000.
It is one of only two commercial airports in New Zealand (the other being Christchurch) capable of handling Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 aircraft.
Pictures Credit: Auckland Airport
