Sun 7 Dec 2008
Posted by Travelman under Other Reviews
[2] Comments | 101 views
The airport company believes the new technology 787 will be the first big jet capable of flying beyond Australia from its short runway, because of its more powerful and fuel-efficient engines.
But Boeing regional president Craig Saddler said the up to 280-seat 787-9, which Air New Zealand has ordered, could not reach Asia with a profitable load of passengers.
Air New Zealand has eight of the next-generation jets on order, and expects to start taking delivery of them from early 2012.
"Wellington International Airport misrepresents the Boeing view on 787 operations from Wellington," Mr Saddler said.
"The 787-9 will not reach Asia with an economic payload from the existing runway."
The smaller 787-8 which Qantas budget offshoot Jetstar has bought would also be load-restricted for a Wellington to Asia route.
The airport was provided with new technical information last month to "clearly illustrate this point", Mr Saddler said.
He confirmed Air New Zealand's analysis that the 1936-metre long runway would need to be extended by 400 metres for Asian 787 routes.
Wellington Airport chief executive Steven Fitzgerald said Boeing's most recent analysis was based only on Air New Zealand's technical requirements, which the airport's experts "consider overly conservative".
Boeing had previously advised that both 787 models would be capable of operating profitably from Wellington.
Wellington Airport's research showed there was sufficient demand to sustain a daily direct service to Asia.