Coronavirus: Milford operator raises safety concerns over closure of flight information service

Friday, 10 April 2020

Airways is reviewing the flight information service it provides at Milford Sound Piopiotahi Aerodome.

Air Milford's chief executive believes if the flight information service is cancelled it will have a devastating effect on operations at Milford.

Airways may close seven regional air traffic towers including Invercargill Airport, as well as the airfield flight information service provided at Milford Sound Piopiotahi Aerodrome.

The services are all under review because of the collapse in the travel industry caused by the lockdown relating to the coronavirus.

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Air Milford chief executive Hank Sproull said the weather in Milford could change dramatically within an hour and up to date information was crucial.

'Milford is unique, there is nowhere else in New Zealand quite like it to operate.'

The flight information service had been running since the early days of the airport in the 1950s and while technology had improved it was a vital service, he said.

'To have someone on the ground in Milford that was actually calling the weather and the wind as they see it and how it can change is really important for aircraft safety.'

'We are talking about safety in aviation here.'

If the flight information service was cancelled they would still be able to fly into Milford but there would be more cases of planes having to turn around mid-flight because weather conditions changed, Sproull said.

The Milford Sound Aerodome was a busy airspace with up to 250 movements a day in that area and flight service was crucial with that number of flights, he said

Milford Sound Piopiotahi Aerodrome is one 58 New Zealand aerodromes operating in uncontrolled airspace, meaning that there is no Civil Aviation Authority requirement for an air traffic management service.

At these uncontrolled airports, pilots use standard visual separation rules to stay safely separated until they reach airspace covered by air traffic control radar.

Earlier this year Airways started discussions with the airport operator (Ministry of Transport) about the future of services at Milford Sound Piopiotahi Aerodrome.

Safety is Airways' priority and this will continue to be central to the consultation now under way, a spokespersons said on Friday.

In the current climate, where air traffic numbers nationally have collapsed, it is simply not viable to continue the same level of service at the locations under review, the spokesperson said.

'Airways' focus is now on supporting the long-term recovery of New Zealand's aviation industry by ensuring our services are the right fit and match the reality of the sector now and into the future.'

Invercargill Airport general manager Nigel Finnerty said the airport was shocked to discover the news about possible plans to remove air traffic management services from Invercargill.

However, the aviation industry was under pressure right now so reviewing its services was the right thing to do, Finnerty said.

The airport would be working with Airways NZ and others in the industry to understand the proposal and its potential impacts.