Kapiti locals have protested the proposed closure of their regional airport, calling it an invaluable asset to the community.
Crowds gathered at a public meeting in Paraparaumu last night to fight the potential sale of the privately-owned Kapiti Coast Airport.
Local National MP Tim Costley, who organised the meeting, said the airport’s closure could come as soon as the end of next month.
"I’m really worried that if they come down in the next week, 10 days, and say, ‘we’re shutting this thing down at the end of November’, that will have a huge implication for our region," Costley told 1News.
Pilot Margret Wright called the airport "so invaluable".
Another pilot, Hugh Steed, added: "When there are problems due to the curfew in Wellington, medical flights will divert to [Kapiti Coast Airport]."
Local woman Jill Walters said an emergency flight for a liver transplant from the airport saved her life.
"If it hadn't been for this little airport, bless it, I wouldn't have got there in time. In fact, it got to the stage that one hour would've made the difference," she said.
"Please don’t take it away."
Formerly Paraparaumu Aerodrome, it was selected as an alternative airport for Wellington in 1938 and used by the military during World War II.
It was privatised in 1995 and has changed hands several times since then. Its current owners don’t want to operate it as an airport.
A statement from developer Templeton Group, the largest shareholder in the airport, said it had a conditional sale and purchase agreement.
"And, as part of that agreement, the airport is required to close."
Costley told those at the meeting the airport was "a lifesaver".
Sounds Air is the only airline operating scheduled flights to the airport after Air Chathams stopped services in July due to rising operating costs.
Kapiti Aero Club uses the airport for flight training, with 256 members – including 67 junior members – learning to fly.
"The sad fact is, people, if the Kapiti Coast Airport closes, there will be no training on the Kapiti Coast,” a spokesperson for the club said at the meeting.
Alternatives for the club if the airport closes are Ōtaki Airstrip which isn’t big enough, or Foxpine Airpark, an hour up the road in Manawatū.
'We do not want this airport closed'
In a statement, Associate Minister of Transport James Meager said he also didn't want the airport to close.
"My hope is that the parties involved can reach an outcome that protects this important asset, supports continued commercial aviation operations and keeps Kapiti connected for generations to come. We do not want to see this airport closed," Meager said.
Sophie Handford, Labour’s candidate in Kapiti, attended the event and said she’d like to discuss the airport’s future across party lines.
"One of the reasons I’m here tonight is because I want to fight for the retention of the airport, doesn’t matter whether this meeting’s being hosted by a different candidate," Handford said.
Costley said he’d be willing to have a chat about it after the election.
"If I’m lucky to stay on as our local MP, I’ll be working with anyone and everyone like I have done for the last three years," he said.
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