WELLINGTON: NZ Airports welcomes Local Government NZ call for better transport decision framework to support regional development
The New Zealand Airports Association welcomes the findings of Local Government New Zealand’s transport study highlighting the link between transport decisions and regional economies and standards of living.
Commenting on the major study released today, titled Mobilising the Regions, Kevin Ward, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Airports Association, said the findings support the Association’s observation that strategic transport decisions impact regional air connections and the critical economic and social role they serve for their communities, but decisions are often taken in isolation.
“Regional airports across New Zealand have faced many challenges especially recently with the withdrawal of air services. In particular the smaller airports and their communities feel the impact of these decisions,” he said.
Regional airports are essential to support regional economic growth and standards of living by keeping regional centres connected with other parts of New Zealand as well as international markets through reliable and regular aviation services.
”Major sectors of the economy are dependent on air links which enable over 500,000 jobs in tourism, export education, air freight and commerce. Yet decisions by airlines and investments in roads often don’t take account of the impacts on air links.
Better informed and transparent decision-making, such as suggested in this report, will provide better results for the country overall, said Mr Ward.
