Ohakea Ruled Out

Palmerston North won’t entertain thoughts of using Ohakea for civilian flights, says deputy mayor John Hornblow.

The idea of diverting flights to Ohakea and bussing passengers there has re-emerged in texts to the editor of the Manawatu Standard during the process of closing off Milson Line to maintain Milson Airport.

Mr Hornblow said the Ohakea option had been explored many years ago, but the city was now totally committed to supporting Palmerston North Airport.

The problem with using a military base was that an event almost anywhere in the world could see military needs take precedence over civilian plans.

“Wanganui would then be the nearest available airport, “and it is not adequate for the region”.

Rebuilding the infrastructure, including a passenger terminal at Ohakea, was not feasible given the investment already put in at Milson.

(c) 2007 Evening Standard; Palmerston North, New Zealand. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.