Auckland Airport - News

Keeping Auckland Airport safe

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:43:02 GMT

3 February 2012

It is truly marvellous to see Auckland Airport bucking the trend with increasingcoping so well with high passenger numbers.

The record-breaking Christmas “rush” was dealt with superbly by all agencies and as a result there were no major issues.

Your Airport Police are now focusing on 2012 and have adopted the new national New Zealand Police focus of "Prevention First" – a mindset change that examines demand and focuses on the causes of crime and the impact upon victims. The model is driven by five categories: Alcohol, Family Violence, Youth, Road Policing and Drugs and Organised Crime.

An example of our work in the Road Policing category can be found in the increased number of roadside checks upon airport workers and road users. This followed a large number of complaints about driving standards within the airport environs.

In the early stages of the operation a fair number of warnings were issued, the main categories of offending were no seatbelt, failing to stop at stop signs, pedestrian crossing infringements and overall, speeds were generally too high.

With the major change in the give way rule occurring on March 25 we want to ensure that we enter this new and potentially problematic time with a safer and more aware set of road users here at Auckland Airport.

Another issue we are seeing too much of is abuse: as in, abuse of parking wardens by motorists and abuse of parking regulations. We want to allow our colleagues in this area to carry out their own roles but rest assured we will be on hand to enforce if they call for our assistance.

We wish you all a happy and, of course, safe 2012.

Finding your field of dreams

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:40:34 GMT

3 February 2012

Manukau kids have been getting a sporting chance for the past three years through the groundbreaking charity John Walker Find your Field of Dreams Foundation.

The foundation uses sports and physical play to encourage children to get off the couch and into active, healthy lifestyles and delivers six programmes with community partners Manukau Leisure Services, Counties Manukau Sport, College Sport and Athletics New Zealand.

As a result, 14,000 children have attended free swimming lessons in 2011 alone, pupils at 21 primary schools have benefited from coaching in basketball, football, hockey and cricket, and teacher coaches at 10 secondary schools have been upskilling.

And the foundation is about to add a mobile swimming pool to its swimming programme for 2012 after receiving $10,000 from Auckland Airport as part of the 12 Days of Christmas initiative.

Children who usually shy away from organised sports teams have taken part in free sport activities in local parks, leading to 16,000 park visits by children throughout Manukau.

Chairman and Auckland Councillor John Walker says by fostering positive attitudes, goal setting and offering the chance to succeed, Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation aims to help young people develop constructive lives.

www.fieldofdreams.org.nz

Luxurious lounge opens

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:38:00 GMT

3 February 2012

China Southern Airlines have opened the biggest and most luxurious VIP lounge in China – the Sky Pearl International VIP Lounge – at Guangzhou Biyun International Airport.

With a total area of about 1400 square metres and 206 seats, the lounge has two floors and is available for first/business class passengers, VIP passengers, Sky Pearl gold/silver card holders, SkyTeam Elite Plus card holders and VIPs of China Southern Airlines’ partners.

It includes a dining area that seats 40 people, a children’s activity area, a traditional Chinese Tea Art Display, an audio-visual area and reading lounge, business area and meeting rooms, and a shower compartment.

The lounge opening is the first of several planned lounge reconstructions in various locations.

www.csair.com/en/

12 Days of Christmas recipients

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:34:49 GMT

3 February 2012

Auckland Airport was able to make 12 charities very happy just before the Christmas period as when they distributed the $120,000 change donated as change by passengers passing through the airport over the year.

Here are the winners:

Raukatauri Music Centre: This charitable trust uses music therapy to work with children with special needs. Set up by well-known Kiwi songstress Hinewehi Mohi, whose daughter has cerebral palsy , the centre will use their $10,000 to employ a new music therapist. This will allow another 10 children to attend each session. www.rmtc.org.nz

Auckland Search and Rescue: Formed after the Christchurch earthquakes, this team of 20 trained volunteer firefighters is based in Shelly Beach, north of Auckland. The non-profit organisation will put the money towards a patient rescue and retrieval kit as well as stoke baskets and rescue lines.

Kidz First Children’s Hospital: Being in hospital is never fun, and when one child is sick, visiting the hospital is a regular occurrence for many families. Anything that can be done to make the experience a little less stressful is worthwhile. So staff at this South Auckland hospital will be using their $10,000 to build a playground, not only for the sick kids, but also for their siblings and families to enjoy.

The John Walker Field of Dreams Foundation: This charitable trust helps thousands of children learn to swim every year. The $10,000 will go towards a new portable pool to be used in four primary schools in Mangere – one for each term. www.fieldofdreams.org.nz

The NZ Gynaecological Cancer Foundation: This organisation works to raise awareness of gynaecological cancers affecting New Zealand women, including ovarian cancer, which kills a Kiwi woman every two days. They will be putting the $10,000 specifically towards translating a recently launched educational DVD into Te Reo Maori. www.silverribbon.co.nz

Hands of Hope Community Services: This non-profit organisation has been giving out emergency food parcels and Christmas hampers to families that need them for 11 years. The $10,000 bought presents to put in 200 hampers that were mainly to be distributed in Mangere, where the organisation is based, but 50 were also taken up to Kaitaia. www.handsofhope.org.nz

Living Springs campsite: This charitable trust has been putting on educational, recreational, adventure-based programmes and school holiday camps for more than 30 years. Based in Christchurch, the trust used the $10,000 to allow 40 children from quake-affected areas the quake-ravaged city to attend the camps during the holidays free of charge. www.livingsprings.co.nz

Kaipataki Project: Volunteers for this non-profit organisation spend their time ensuring their North Shore neighbourhood stays clean and green. It started as a community restoration project, and now volunteers plant thousands of trees and plants every year. Their $10,000 will go towards buying a vehicle to transport plants, equipment, volunteers and educational materials to local planting days. www.kaipataki.org.nz

Paralympics New Zealand: This country’s paralympic athletes are currently training for the Paralympics later this year, and thanks to the $10,000 grant from Auckland Airport, athletes will be able to train at an international level on a new tandem bike. www.paralympics.org.nz

Cure Kids: This charity aims to give hope and happiness to children with life-threatening illnesses and over the years has invested $26 million into medical research. The grant from Auckland Airport will go towards giving 15 children and their parents a trip to Queenstown in the charity’s annual Ticket to Hope fun getaway. www.curekids.org.nz

Te Whakaruruhau: A Maori women’s refuge in Hamilton, this charity has helped thousands of women over the past 25 years. The $10,000 will go towards building play areas and a large playground for children who live at four safe houses the refuge runs.

Variety: Since 1989 Variety has given over $12 million to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged children. The grant from Auckland Airport will be used to buy iPads for up to 12 children with special needs in a bid to help develop their communication skills. www.variety.org.nz

Newly sealed cross runway opens at Queenstown airport

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:32:10 GMT

3 February 2012

The weather doesn’t pose as much of a problem for light aircraft users in Queenstown any more, now that the airport’s cross-runway has been sealed.

The airport’s CEO Steve Sanderson says that adverse weather conditions such as heavy frost or heavy rain frequently caused the runway to be closed. “Sealing the runway will greatly reduce the number of disruptions as well as further improve safety.”

Operators welcomed the investment and support of general aviation in Queenstown.

“This is the best thing that has happened for flightseeing operators at Queenstown Airport,” Air Milford CEO Hank Sproull says. “It’s good for our business, making our operations much more efficient.”

www.queenstownairport.co.nz

Sustainability plan awarded

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

3 February 2012

As it comes to the end of its first five-year action plan Auckland Airport’s fantastic efforts were recognised in the S60 Sustainable Business Awards 2011.

The airport came away with a win in the Strategy and Governance Category and a special commendation for being a finalist in all five categories, the only company in the country to do so.

Auckland Airport sustainability adviser Martin Fryer says they can now proceed with the next sustainability plan, simply titled Auckland Airport 2030, safe in the knowledge that the approach is on the right lines.

“What will Auckland Airport look and feel like? How will people travel? What will they demand of Auckland Airport?,” he asks. “We will be canvassing views of stakeholders over the next six months to try and produce a vision of sustainable development.”

If anyone would like to be involved in the process they can contact Martin Fryer directly on (09) 255 9096.

PICTURED: Martin Fryer celebrates the S60 win with Mike Clay and Steve Hardwick from the Aeronautical Policy team.

Vote for Auckland Airport in Skytrax awards

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

3 February 2012

Auckland Airport has been voted the best airport in the Australia Pacific region for the third year running, and has improved its Top 10 placing in the Best Airports in the World over this time – moving from 10th to 9th to 8th place in the SKYTRAX World Airport Awards.

Auckland Airport is extremely proud of these achievements which reflect the work and dedication of not only Auckland Airport and its staff but the whole airport community which contributes to the overall passenger experience.

Not content to rest on its laurels Auckland Airport has been investing in significant improvements to make every journey even better.

Voting is now open for the 2012 SKYTRAX World Airport Awards and Auckland Airport would like your help in voting us your favourite airport at www.betterjourneys.co.nz

Here are some of the things we’ve been doing to improve our performance

• The Airport has made leaps and bounds to make your travel easier and safer – the introduction of new SmartGate technology, self-check-in, and refined customs and biosecurity procedures all make your airport visit faster and stress-free

• The Airport has opened a completely redesigned world class and award-winning duty-free shopping area – these efforts to ensure you have a world class shopping experience was acknowledged with a number of key awards in the Retail and Property industries

• The new Emperor Lounge has just opened, offering you a business lounge experience no matter what airline you fly

• Auckland Airport is winning awards for its environmental sustainability. It was the only company to be a finalist in all five categories in the Sustainable 60 awards which recognise excellence in organisational sustainability

• There are two new airport hotels, the Novotel and Formule1, increasing the traveller choice for airport accommodation options

• Auckland Airport works with Auckland City to make it easier for you to get to and from the airport. For example, there is now an expanded road network linking Auckland City regions to the airport and better public transport

• Voting is now open for the 2012 SKYTRAX World Airport Awards and we encourage you to vote for Auckland Airport www.betterjourneys.co.nz\

Endangered NZ dotterels hatch

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:28:22 GMT

3 February 2012

There are some new arrivals to the apron area at Auckland Airport – a family of young New Zealand dotterels.

While many birds are a danger to aircraft because they get scared and can get caught up in the engines, the endangered New Zealand dotterels are unbothered by the constant air traffic and represent little risk.

Auckland Airport grounds and wildlife hazards management planner, Peter Robinson, explains: “On the ground they see the plane coming, turn around, walk away and then they’ll walk back to where they were. They don’t panic. These birds are smart.”

He says when they are protecting a nest, the birds pretend they have a broken wing to lead the potential “predator” away from their eggs. “If you’re really careful you can follow them one way and another and work out where the nest is using vectors.”

When a nest is found, staff sometimes use plastic barriers to keep people away from it and may delay lawn mowing in that area for a month or until the chicks are seen. The chicks usually take 30 days to hatch.

Which is what happened when a nest was found west of Pier B before Christmas. “The chick is now hatched and is fully fledged. He’s almost as big as his parents now,” Peter says.

Airport staff already keep the apron area clear of rodents and other predators as part of their duties, so the entire airfield is almost a de facto wildlife sanctuary.

An actual bird sanctuary is on Wiroa Island and is an essential part of Auckland Airport’s Wildlife Management Programme. New Zealand dotterels often breed there and on the grass islands of the airfield.

Lost dog reunited with owner

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:26:20 GMT

3 February 2012

One nervous flyer spent a night out in the cold after escaping from his cage at Auckland Airport.

Mrs Liddle had brought her dog Campbell up on a flight from Christchurch when she went to spend time with her brother in Hamilton, b. But as he was being loadeding into the cage into the car for the drive south, Campbell had other ideas and ran towards Puhinui Road.

After fruitless hours of searching – and a look at the airport’s operations centre’s cameras – the siblings headed to Hamilton, fearing him lost.

There were numerous sightings of Campbell throughout the night, and then in the morning the airport’s own “Dr Doolittle” Jeremy Brown and Gareth Udy from Skygate Security managed to spot the dog and entice him the dog into their security car.

Campbell settled down to a large bowl of water, a nice warm blanket and some KFC potato and gravy while the operations team tried to contact the owner. Luckily the owner sent an email offering a $1000 reward for the dog’s return, giving the team her email address so they could reunite them.

Mrs Liddle was amazed when the operations team refused to take the award, telling her it was just part of their job.

Well done guys!

Christmas cheer for foster children

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:18:40 GMT

3 February 2012

Local community agency Lifewise and Auckland Airport staff made Christmas that much brighter for a group of foster children and their foster families with a party at Butterfly Creek.

The “Magical Children’s Christmas Party” was held on December 20 and Auckland Airport staff personally donated more than 150 presents to be given out to the children, with some employees also volunteering to help out at the event.

Charles Spillane, Auckland Airport general manager corporate affairs (pictured), even donned the red suit to play the role of Santa Claus.

Lesley Mynett-Johnson, Development Manager for Lifewise, was stunned when she saw the number of donated presents and sent a huge thank you to every staff member who contributed. “It was wonderful to see the joy on the children’s faces when Santa handed out the presents. These kids have been through a lot and being able to put on a party like this is extra special.

“Having volunteers there as well meant that the foster carers got a break. It was all the little extra touches, thanks to Auckland Airport and others that made the day memorable for kids and adults alike.”

Lifewise is an Auckland-based community organisation initiating new ways to solve challenging social issues and providing services to people families in need. Family violence and child abuse are just two of the many social issues Lifewise is working to address. , the homeless as well as older and disabled people.