Airline Affairs

Cathay Pacific itself will be subject to a substantial capital raising share issue, all of which will go to CITIC Pacific and which will add about 20% to the airline’s share capital. Although Swire and others will have the same number of shares as now, their percentage interest in the company will decrease accordingly. The final placement of shares will be: Swire 43.9% (down from 52.6%), CITIC 25% (up from 10%) and others (including CNAC) 31.1% (37.4%).

The reorganisation is subject to regulatory approval and approval by Cathay Pacific’s shareholders.

New Qantas Services

Qantas is introducing some new services and a number of schedule changes affecting north Queensland and other major destinations in Australia and overseas. Included in the revisions are the introduction of direct twice weekly flights from Auckland to Cairns (with connections from Los Angeles starting in July); the introduction of twice weekly flights from Bangkok to Cairns in July; direct flights between Cairns and Seoul from November; and the discontinuation next October of the thrice weekly service from Cairns to Los Angeles via Honolulu.

Qantas will continue to operate its daily Cairns/Sydney/Los Angeles service and daily Sydney/Honolulu/Sydney flights and will add another weekly nonstop flight between Auckland and Los Angeles in September, bringing the frequency on that route to five per week.

The airline has also revised the operating times of its twice weekly service from Sydney to Papeete via Auckland to provide more convenient connections to South America. The current Papeete/Los Angeles flights will be discontinued from late July and negotiations are underway with another operator to carry passengers on this route.

Closer to home, Qantas subsidiary Airlink has announced increased frequencies between various Northern and Central Australian destinations and to Perth. The increased services will start in September, linking Darwin, Cairns, Perth, Ayers Rock and Alice Springs more frequently. They will complement the daily Qantas nonstop flights between Ayers Rock and Sydney and will provide better connections to services from Europe and South-East Asia through the airline’s Singapore hub.

Fast Food

Qantas’ flight catering operation in Melbourne recently set a new record for the number of meals prepared during a single week. During the busy Easter period, the Tullamarine Catering Centre prepared 123,000 meals. On the day before Good Friday, a one day record of 24,000 meals was set.

Asiana’s Australian Expansion

Fast growing South Korean operator Asiana has introduced a third weekly flight between Sydney and Seoul and is planning to introduce a fourth from October this year.

The additional services reflect strong demand from Koreans wanting to enter Australia through Sydney and also the continuing growth in the number of Australians travelling to North Asia on business.

Korea is now Australia’s fastest growing source of inbound tourism. The latest figures from the Australian Tourist Commission show that 167,975 visitors arrived in 1995, a 52% increase on the previous year. This year, the number is expected to reach 229,000, a further 36% increase.

Asiana began operating to Australia only in November 1995, flying one service from Seoul to Sydney direct and another via Cairns using Boeing 767-300ERs.

Pacific Transair’s hush kitted Boeing 737-200 pictured at Essendon where it underwent some maintenance. The aircraft arrived in Australia in late March, but the airline had not yet commenced its planned east coast domestic services at the time of writing. (Stephen Allsopp)

Tighter European Foreign Airline Safety

The 33 member European Civil Aviation Conference has agreed to work towards raising the safety standards of foreign airlines which use European airspace by enforcing tougher standards.

Safety related data on the airlines is being collected and will be shared among the member nations. The European program will operate in cooperation with the US FAA’s safety assessment program introduced in 1992. Based on the data it collected, the FAA last year imposed sanctions on airlines from several countries – mostly Latin American – on safety grounds and restricted their operations or stopped them from flying to the USA until improvement was shown.

It is considered unlikely that the Europeans will go that far, the idea being to instigate discussions with problem airlines to help them lift their game, rather than ban them flying into Europe.

Delta and ANA Reach Agreement

Following occasionally bitter wrangling between US and Japanese authorities over extended bilateral agreements, Delta Air Lines and All Nippon Airways have finalised arrangements for shared trans-Pacific services, effective September 1.

Covering 13 flights each week, ANA will purchase seats on Delta’s six MD-11 services every week, while Delta will purchase a comparable number of seats on each of ANA’s 747-400 flights between Los Angeles and Narita.

The carriers already share ground handling resources in Japan and New York as part of a marketing agreement.

Alitalia Posts Eight Years of Losses

On the eve of submitting a far reaching restructuring plan, the ever changing Alitalia management has announced the eighth consecutive year of losses.

The Italian airline, which has been subjected to prolonged union action, recorded a 86 billion lire ($A70m) loss for 1995. A one-off gain was set against the loss through the sale of the company’s shareholding in Aeroporti di Roma. 1996 is expected to see another round of divestments to curb the accumulating debt.

IATA Warns of Capacity Purge

Capacity increases offered by the world’s airlines may not be matched by demand according to IATA, with traffic growth forecast at 8.1% in 1996 more than matched by an 8.6% rise in capacity.

Despite its member airlines posting combined net profits of $US5.2 billion and an average increase in profit margin of 4%, the Association has warned that airlines should closely monitor unit costs in an increasingly competitive market.

Yields increased by an average 3% during 1995, while unit costs rose by .5%. An increase in air traffic of 8.4% during the same period was met by an 8.3% rise in capacity.

During 1996, however, IATA has forecast a decrease in average yields for the world’s member airlines by about .6%, countered by a dangerous 1.4% increase in unit costs.

IATA, using costly examples of the early 90s, says that capacity increases should be measured closely at a time when the industry is only just climbing out of its devastating recession.

Canberra Airport Privatisation Assessment Awarded

Aviation consultants Airplan and Rust-PPK, in conjunction with the Macquarie Bank, have been awarded a contract by the ACT Department of Business, the Arts, Sports & Tourism to carry out a study on the implications of the privatisation of Canberra Airport.

The study will assess the future role of Canberra Airport as a major transport node for the ACT region, and likely impact on regional economic development and tourism. According to Airplan, the review will also assess the potential impact of privatisation and recommend a strategy for the ACT Government to protect and preserve its interests.

Air New Zealand launched its $NZ50m Pacific Wave product revamp on April 29 which it is using to reposition itself as a full service airline. Most obvious of the Pacific Wave changes is the new aircraft livery, illustrated here on a 737-200 (and on our front cover by a 767-300ER and a 747-400). Less immediately obvious but just as important are the revamped cabin interiors in all classes in both the international and domestic fleets. First class, only on 747-400s, will feature seats set at 60in (152cm) pitch and individual video screens with a choice of nine video channels. Cabin service in First Class will be to the standards of “the world’s finest hotels”. International Business Class seats will be set at 50in (127cm), up from 40in (102cm). Again each seat will have its own personal video screen. Economy has been renamed Pacific Class. Pacific Class seats will have their own leg rests (not underneath the seat in front of them) and adjustable headrests with wings. Seat pitch is also increased. A passenger cabin decor upgrade is also planned for the domestic 737-200 fleet. The changes will be completed over the next 18 months to two years with the cabin changes to the international fleet to be finished within a year. (ANZ)

FAA Boosts National Airspace Capacity

A $US166 million enhancement to airspace capacity in the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport area is expected to raise national airspace capacity by up to 15%.

To be implemented in October, the DFW Metroplex Air Traffic System Plan is forecast to save the industry and users $10 billion over the next 20 years.

The enhancement has been made possible by major improvements to hardware and supporting air traffic management software, including a new terminal approach radar control, two additional control towers, four airport surveillance radars and a range of airport based and remote communications and navigation aids.

New procedures, to be adopted by operators in the Flight Information Region (FIR) from October 10, will be managed by more than 1200 controllers. DFW is forecast to become the world’s busiest airport by 2000.

ValuJet Slows Growth

ValuJet’s phenomenal growth is set to be curbed to allow the company a chance to consolidate its financial position and focus on safety procedures.

Part of the short term plan includes the sale or subleasing of the airline’s DC-9-21s, as a means of placing a practical check on the rapid expansion which the airline has undergone along the US eastern seaboard.

The removal of the series 21 jets will ease the financial strain as 14 new aircraft are added to the 48 aircraft fleet during 1996.

Air New Zealand and British Midland Codeshare

Air New Zealand and British Midland have commenced a codeshare arrangement on some of BM’s regional services to Heathrow.

Dual flight designators will be operated on British Midland flights from Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Bradford, and Teesside linking with Air NZ’s five flights each week from Heathrow. The codeshare also provides a viable alternative to the Kangaroo Route, with Air New Zealand passengers able to connect in Los Angeles with nonstop Sydney services.

The new arrangements will provide feed in regional markets for each carrier, and is particularly useful to Air New Zealand which stands to gain vital access to business markets in the UK.

United Launches 16 Hour Nonstop Service

Effective July 16, United Airlines will operate a thrice weekly nonstop service between Chicago and Hong Kong. The 12,550km (6770nm) sector will have a flight time of just under 16 hours.

The route will be operated by the company’s 747-400 with a restricted payload of 301 passengers. Strong headwinds on westbound flights, however, may further limit payload.

FANS-1 navigation systems will be used within Siberian airspace under an agreement between US and Russian authorities.

Freight on Line

Qantas, British Airways and American Airlines freight customers can now hook up to the internet to check for themselves how their goods are travelling.

A new service, called CargoConnect, has been launched by systems specialist Syntellect/Syntegra in conjunction with the three airlines. It provides a simple shipment tracking report that can be accessed by senders, receivers and freight forwarders simply by keying in the relevant waybill number. The internet service adds to the established network of Cargo Community Systems that freight forwarders use to communicate electronically with the airlines.

CargoConnect users can enquire and receive status information on specific consignments, find out about schedules and availability and send air waybills electronically.

Qantas freight customers can access CargoConnect through the freight page on the Qantas web site at https://www.qantas.com.au

Continental and Air Canada Part Company

Continental and Air Canada will all but dissolve their strategic alliance forged in 1993.

Air Canada will reduce its shareholding in Continental to 10% and change its stock to Class B shares reducing its voting power. Air Canada has said it may sell off its entire shareholding in Continental during 1997 if market conditions are favourable.

The alliance was designed to maximise cross border market penetration prior to the signing of the US-Canada Open Skies agreement, which now allows the two airlines to service destinations in their own right. Air Canada flies to more than 30 destinations in North America.

Continental announced record earnings of $US88 million ($A111m) for the first quarter of 1996 from revenues of $US1.4 billion ($A1.7bn), a healthy increase on 1995’s earnings of $30 million. $12.5 million was attributed to the sale of 1.4 million shares in America West Airlines.

MAS to Establish Aviation University

Malaysia Airlines’ Chairman, Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli, has indicated that the company will develop the region’s first aviation and aerospace university.

Collaboration with overseas universities will help to further extend Malaysia’s recently opened academy at Kuala Lumpur into a full scale university, capable of providing courses in high technology fields and tourism. When operational, it is hoped the centre will attract students from the southeast Asia region.

The academy already has facilities for cabin service training, human resources, services training, air freight and ticketing.

Cathay Freight Innovation

Cathay Pacific has increased the utilisation of its new A330s, using them on overnight dedicated freight services to regional destinations.

The 30 tonne underfloor cargo capacity of the A330 has reaped major rewards for the airline, gaining high yielding work from the express cargo industry. Services are currently operated to Singapore and Manila, and Cathay Pacific reports that its freight flights to Singapore since their launch have been operating at close to capacity.

The A330s, which would otherwise remain idle at Kai Tak overnight, depart Hong Kong prior to the airport’s curfew and return at 0630 before being deployed on regional services and to Australia.

Narita Farmer Surrenders

A Japanese farmer who has been fighting the construction of Narita Airport near Tokyo for 30 years has agreed to sell a plot of land in the path of the desperately needed second runway.

The eight acre (3.2ha) plot is near the end of the planned 8200ft (2500m) runway, construction of which has been suspended since late 1993. Despite the farmer’s agreement to sell the land, work on the new runway is still in doubt because of another 8.3 hectare (21 acre) plot which remains in private hands. It is owned by a group of five anti airport families and they are not expected to give in easily.

The Japanese Government has the power to seize the land but is reluctant to do so.

The building of Narita became a very strong political issue with extreme opinions being voiced by those against it. The airport’s 1978 opening was delayed by two months due to radical opponents occupying the control tower and damaging communications equipment. Only last year, a small plot of land which had partially blocked access to Narita’s second terminal since 1992 was sold to the government by farmers.

Brisbane Number Two

Brisbane became Australia’s second busiest international gateway in December last year – overtaking Melbourne – with 16.7% of the country’s international airline passengers passing through its gates.

Sydney was far and away Australia’s number one international port with 48.3% of the traffic, followed by Brisbane and Melbourne, which returned a figure of 16.2%. The number of international passengers carried into or out of Australia in December 1995 was 10% up on the same month of the previous year. The overall market grew by 8.8% in 1995 with the number of international passengers reaching a record 12.1 million.

Coincidentally, the average annual growth rate over the last decade is also 8.8%, compared with 6.4% worldwide.

The most heavily travelled route was Auckland/Sydney, followed by Los Angeles/Sydney, Singapore/Sydney and Hong Kong/Sydney. Qantas’ market share dropped from 40.7% in 1994 to 39% last year, while Ansett’s more than doubled (off a small base) from 1.2% to 2.6%.

Qantas’ Extra South Africa Service

Qantas will operate a fourth weekly service between Australia and Johannesburg from mid August this year.

The new flight will be operated as a supplementary service and will depart Sydney each Thursday and then operate nonstop between Melbourne and Johannesburg. Demand on the South African route is growing and Australia is currently the fifth largest single source of visitors to the country. Growth of 60% was recorded in 1995.

New Qantas Ops Control System

Qantas Operations Control, the nerve centre of the airline’s aircraft operations, is implementing a new system to monitor its fleet.

Computer displays will provide real time information on the status of every domestic and international Qantas flight anywhere in the world. The new system is able to project the effects of aircraft delays and other operating restraints on subsequent operations, providing operations controllers with more chance of planning around disruptions and therefore minimising further delays.

The display also provides continually updated information about remaining time available on each aircraft until a maintenance inspection is due. During 1997, the system will be linked with air traffic control systems, providing real time information on delays arising from congestion, weather conditions and other factors.

Heathrow Turns 50

London’s Heathrow Airport celebrates its 50th birthday on May 31, Britain’s premier gateway growing from a primitive facility handling about 500,000 passengers each year by 1950 to the major international airport we know today catering for well over 50m passengers per year.

Heathrow’s original ‘terminal’ was a row of tents; today there are four large terminals with a fifth under construction. The area has actually been associated with civil aviation for much more than its 50 official years. A number of early pioneering flights were made from Hounslow Heath (3km away from the present site) shortly after WWI including the first England/Australia flight by Ross and Keith Smith in Vickers Vimy G-EAOU.

Emirates to Australia

Emirates will begin twice weekly services between Melbourne and Dubai on June 25. This will increase to three per week from July 11.

The Emirates flights, operated with Boeing 777s, will provide the first direct link between the UAE and Australia. Emirates will also be the first airline to fly the 777 to Australia. Melbourne becomes Emirates’ 40th destination around the world and the flights will connect with 12 cities across the Gulf and Middle East from Dubai.

The airline’s fleet currently comprises 10 Airbus A310-300s and six A300-600s. The first of seven 303 seat 777s will be delivered shortly before the Australian services begin.

American Short Haul

Reacting to a similar move by United Airlines, American Airlines is looking at establishing a low cost short haul operation using its fleet of 75 Fokker 100s.

The idea has been put to American’s pilots’ union – the Allied Pilots Association – as it involves paying aircrew 70% of the normal rate while at the same time increasing monthly flight hour limits. The union has described the proposal as “harsh” but itself late last year proposed a short haul operation using 50 to 70 seat aircraft flown under existing work rules with pay scales which vary according to aircraft weight. American wants to use aircraft with a maximum of 115 seats.

The Shuttle by United service is already operational on the US West Coast using Boeing 737s crewed by pilots receiving 91% of the normal hourly rate. Delta Airlines’ pilots’ union has tentatively agreed to a proposal similar to American’s. Delta’s low cost short haul plans revolve around using 18 to 25 737s crewed by pilots flying more hours for 70% of the normal rate.

Second Chek Lap Kok Runway?

Hong Kong’s Airport Authority is pushing for the construction of a second parallel runway at Chek Lap Kok Airport, which is due to open in April 1998.

The new runway could be operational within a few months of the airport’s opening if the go ahead is given soon. It is needed to cope with growth which is now expected to be much higher than originally anticipated. Latest estimates suggest the new airport’s single runway saturation point of 38 movements per hour will be reached within a year or two of its opening.

Hong Kong’s existing airport, Kai Tak, is already operating in excess of its design capacity, handling 27.4 million passengers in 1995. This is expected to increase to 30 million by April 1998 when it will close. Kai Tak is already turning away 200 applications for scheduled flights each week.

East-West Runway Use Increased

New arrangements have been established for the use of Sydney Airport’s east-west runway, increasing the maximum usage from five to six hours on weekdays and 11 hours per day on weekends.

The new arrangements allow for weekday operations between 11am and 3pm plus 8-10pm; and between 11am and 10pm on weekends when the forecast hourly arrival rate is 18 aircraft or less in both cases.

The operations will continue to require favourable cloud and visibility conditions and crosswinds not exceeding 25 knots (46km/h). The runway will continue to be available for use by all aircraft types except those which need the extra length provided by the main north-south runway.

AirServices Australia has meanwhile begun developing a long term aircraft operating plan for Sydney Airport and its associated airspace. The senior policy group formulating the plan has to report to the Minister for Transport and Regional Development, John Sharp, by mid December this year.

The group’s terms of reference for the development plan include: principles to be applied in relation to operational efficiency, safety and the protection of the environment; organisational arrangements for a team of experts to formulate airspace design options; and consultation arrangements covering federal, state and local government organisations and community groups.

The policy principles involved are: the availability of all three runways at Sydney Airport; maximum use of flightpaths over water and non residential areas; maintaining the capacity of the airport at the current maximum of 80 movements per hour; no compromise on safety; and no use of SIMOPS at Sydney Airport.

In the meantime, the narrow northern flight corridors into and out of Sydney Airport have been abolished, allowing curved approaches and departures which spread aircraft noise more evenly over Sydney.

We Have Moved

Australian Aviation has moved to new, larger offices. This will allow us to provide you with better service whilst enhancing our efficiency in the process.

Effective from May 20 our new details were as follows: PO Box 1777, Fyshwick, ACT 2609. Phone (06) 280 0111, fax (06) 280 0007. For couriers and visitors our street address is 11 Molonglo Mall, Fyshwick, though please send all mail to the post office box.

Kiwi’s New Expansion Plans

Kiwi International Airlines has announced new expansion plans which replace an earlier plan to operate a DC-10 and instead will see it operate three narrowbody aircraft from June.

Kiwi’s new expansion plans were in part accelerated by Air 2000’s request for the early return of the 757 it had leased to Kiwi to cope with a busier than expected European summer. The 757 returned to the UK in late April and was replaced in Kiwi service by Air Nauru’s 737-400. From June 1 Kiwi was due to take delivery of a leased A320 (leased through Orix in Japan) and a leased 737-300 (leased through Aviareps). The three aircraft will take Kiwi’s total seat capacity to over 400 seats, almost double that offered by the 757.

The 737-300 will be based in Christchurch, superseding the plan to base a DC-10 there. Kiwi’s Chief Executive Ewan Wilson noted that this was a slightly more conservative approach in a market that is continually changing.

The A320 will be based in Hamilton, while the 737-400, which is Air Nauru’s sole aircraft, will fly for Kiwi four days a week. The aircraft leases are for 12 months. The 737-300 and A320 are in a maximum density configuration.

The three aircraft fleet will allow Kiwi to add Christchurch, Auckland, Melbourne and Perth to its growing Australasian network.

Kiwi’s current medium term intentions are to lease purchase either two 757s or two A321s from May 1997 which it would operate under its own AOC.

Meanwhile Kiwi has established a new retail sales and ticketing office and shopfront in North Sydney, headed up by new Manager NSW Dennis Smith.

Boeing’s Big One

It appears that Boeing might be going ahead with its Hugely Very Big and Enormously Gigantic Airliner project after all, if a current advertisement is any indication.

Under the heading “Gravity and Economics”, the ad’s copy says: “Even today, one can’t help but wonder at the sight of a jetliner lifting into the sky. The fact that a machine weighing thousands of tons can comfortably carry hundreds of people through thin air…” Thousands – repeat, thousands – of tons? Now that would be something to see!

For the record, the world’s heaviest aircraft is the Antonov An-225 Mriya with a maximum takeoff weight of 600 tonnes (1,322,750lb). The 747-400 comes in at a bit under two-thirds of that at 395 tonnes (870,000lb). (Editor’s Notes: As expected later versions of the advert have come down to earth as ‘thousands’ have been replaced by ‘hundreds’).

Ansett/United Global Alliance?

Already aligned through a frequent flyer program and codeshare arrangement, Ansett and United Airlines could be part of a global alliance if the US airline’s plans come to fruition.

United has approached Ansett on the subject of becoming the Australasian part of such an alliance, which would include Lufthansa, SAS, Thai Airways and Air Canada. The result would be, according to United’s president, Gerald Greenwald, “the first world network of airlines … and – literally fill the geography of the world”.

Ansett’s Australian rival Qantas is involved in a similar venture through its association with 25% shareholder British Airways. BA’s approach to the task is different from United’s, preferring to acquire a stake in the airlines with which it is building a global network. Apart from Qantas, BA has an interest in USAir, France’s TAT and Germany’s Deutsche BA.

Flight West Cuts Ansett Link

Queensland regional operator Flight West Airlines is to end its commercial alliance with Ansett this August and intends to expand into interstate services as an independent operator.

The move effectively leaves Ansett without a Queensland intrastate presence and follows a period of dispute with the major carrier over its expansion plans, which would see it competing with other Ansett affiliates.

Also in Queensland, the State Government is to review regional air services which are at the moment being subsidised to the tune of $3.6m per annum. Contracts for services to western Queensland expire at the end of May and the Government is seeking expressions of interest from operators for a five year contract on the routes. Flight West is the major player in western Queensland, serving 15 centres including Roma, Longreach, Birdsville, Cloncurry, Winton and Charleville.

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Qantas 747 for Air Pacific

Fiji’s national airline Air Pacific will take delivery of a leased Qantas Boeing 747-238, VH-EBR, on August 3, replacing the current 747-200 which is leased from Air New Zealand.

Air Pacific uses its 747 on services to Japan and from Sydney to Los Angeles via Fiji. Mid last year Air Pacific had foreshadowed replacing its ANZ leased 747 with an example perhaps sourced from the US or Europe when the lease expired in search of a cheaper deal.

Qantas will perform heavy maintenance on EBR, while Air Pacific will conduct A level checks and line maintenance at its Nadi base.

Kiwi’s Half Price Trans Tasman Tickets

The simmering trans Tasman airfare war has hotted up with a half price offer from Kiwi International.

The half price ticket applied as a special offer for all passengers who fly once with Kiwi between Australia and New Zealand before the end of August. The initial flight had to be booked and paid for by the end of May.

The half price offer applied to Kiwi’s recently announced services to Melbourne and Perth to either Christchurch or Hamilton, which commences in July. It reduced the Melbourne airfare to as low as $175 return to $165 one way, Perth $375 return, $350 one way, the existing Sydney to Dunedin or Hamilton airfare to $175 return, $165 one way and Brisbane to Dunedin or Hamilton to $190 return, $180 one way.

The fare offer applied to Kiwi’s famous “Peanuts and Cola class”, as well as the Kiwi class full economy service with meals and drinks.

Airports Update

Avalon: Israeli company Meyraz has been discussing the possible purchase of Avalon Airport with the Federal Government as part of a huge fresh food exporting plan for the Geelong region. There is one possible inhibition to the scheme, and that is the Victorian State Government’s plan to establish a large hazardous chemical storage complex at nearby Point Lillias.

The redevelopment will provide Karratha Airport with larger terminal facilities including new arrivals and departure security areas. It should cope with projected passenger growth over the next 20 years.

Brisbane: The Queensland Government is re-examining the feasibility of the $100m rail link between the city and airport approved by the previous Goss government. The successful bidder for the project was due to be announced last March but the new government has placed it under review. Most observers expect the project to go ahead after the review is completed.

Melbourne: The Kangan Institute of TAFE is to build a training centre at Melbourne Airport to conduct training in aviation related areas such as hospitality, air transport, customs, freight, marketing and exports.

Broome: The Kimberley region is being encouraged to work towards establishing an international airport to exploit its development potential. The suggestion has been made by Cairns Port Authority marketing manager Gaye Scott during a seminar in Broome. She pointed out that the phenomenal growth recorded by Cairns Airport over the past few years could be repeated at Broome due to its proximity to Asian markets.

Busselton: Busselton’s Four Mile Hill regional airport project is in trouble following the WA Government’s refusal of a Busselton Shire Council request for an extra $500,000 to go towards the scheme. Construction of the $4m facility is due for completion in September but there is a budget shortfall of $500,000. The WA Government has formed a special management committee with Shire and Department of Transport personnel to facilitate both the funding and running of the airport. Some residents of Busselton are complaining about aircraft noise even before the airport has opened. They say a realignment of the runway puts their properties within the noise contour. The alignment was changed after the Environmental Protection Agency expressed possible concern over disruption to birdlife.

Deniliquin: Deniliquin Council is investigating the possibility of developing its local airport as a true regional facility, including increasing the runway length from the current 1200m (3900ft) to 1700m (5580ft) and improving terminal facilities. The Council has been trying to get a regional airline to operate to Deniliquin for some time.

Esperance: Esperance Airport’s apron size will shortly be doubled in size to allow for the parking of two large aircraft and other smaller aircraft. The $45,000 upgrade is to cope with the extra flights generated by increased passenger traffic, averaging about 13% annually over the past couple of years.

Forbes: The NSW town will host the 1998 World Hang Gliding Championship and play host to about 150 of the world’s best hang glider pilots. The event will help boost tourism to the Lachlan Valley area.

Karratha: The Shire of Roebourne Council has approved redevelopment of Karratha Airport’s terminal facilities at a cost of $5m. Work will be carried out over two stages with completion scheduled for August 1998.

Called the Melbourne Airport Training Centre, the new institution will enter into partnerships with various private sector organisations, providing complementary training requirements.

Mildura: Concerns that Mildura Rural City Council’s plans to establish a new lawn cemetery near the airport will interfere with work in progress on lengthening its north-south runway have proven unfounded. There is also space available to lengthen the east-west runway when it becomes necessary, despite part of the cemetery being in line with it.

Mildura hosted an important international general aviation event in April when the Australian branch of the International Comanche Society held its annual fly-in at the airport. Some 40 Piper Comanche and Twin Comanche aircraft flew into Mildura from all over Australia, including Tasmania and north Queensland.

Sydney: The $600m underground airport rail link between the city and airport will be ready in time for the 2000 Olympics despite some early delays caused by contractual arrangements, detail design work and geotechnical investigations. The 11km line is being built as a joint venture between construction (and defence) company Transfield and Bouygues, with the consortium owning and operating the stations along the route for 30 years after its completion.

The WA Government has meanwhile pledged funding for upgrades at Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek Airports.