Canadian Offer Fears

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey today reiterated his concerns about the proposed overseas takeover of Auckland International Airport.

“In June last year I warned Aucklanders might wake up to find decisions about the Mangere monopoly being made in Canada or Australia and with the latest developments it looks as though I was right.

“That’s why it is so absurd the Auckland region has only one commercial airport. Yes, I bang on about a commercial joint venture at Whenuapai but with good reason.

“Aucklanders should have a stake in a publicly owned airport and the goings on at AIAL show we have an excellent opportunity at Whenuapai for central and local government to work in partnership to establish a major, public strategic asset.

“Why wouldn’t we?”

Waitakere City Council is a shareholder in Northwest Auckland Airport Ltd which wants to begin developing commercial air services to Australia, the Pacific and New Zealand destinations, sharing Whenuapai airport at least initially, with the Air Force.

Other shareholders include North Shore City Council, Rodney District Council and Infratil.