Chatham Islands

04/06/2024

New Zealand’s Chatham Islands sit about 840 kilometres east of Christchurch, their nearest city. The beautiful remote location sees its 730 residents, and all who visit the islands, rely significantly on air travel for connection to the mainland.

Propeller planes have historically been the only air travel option for the Chatham Islands. However, following a grant from the New Zealand Government’s Shovel Ready project programme in response to COVID-19, the Chatham Islands Airport Limited (CIAL) were able to progress the $42M "Longer and Stronger" Upgrade project. The project would enable passenger jets to service the islands. 

This major infrastructure project was delivered under a collaborative Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) model, with Downer as the head contractor and Beca the engineering consultant. After the eight-month ECI period, physical works began in September 2021. 

Facing many challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather conditions, difficult ground conditions on an environmentally sensitive and isolated site, and working in an operational airport, the team successfully delivered the project in impressive time. Practical Completion was achieved three months ahead of programme.

The Longer and Stronger project delivered: 

• Extension of the existing runway by 490m, from the existing 1,360m to 1,850m and 45m wide. 
• Strengthen the existing runway pavement to facilitate larger aircraft, with an average 160 mm asphalt overlay.
• Extended (from 6,100m2 to 12,400m2) and strengthened (approx. 160mm asphalt overlay) existing apron to accommodate larger aircraft. 
• A new taxiway for larger aircraft.  
• Longitudinal stormwater and subsoil drains. 
• Relocated existing lighting system, runway end identifier lights and precision approach path indicators (PAPIs). 
• New runway edge lights. 

The ECI process ensured the project’s success. It allowed the team to work closely together to optimise many of the project's inputs and deliver the works without disruption or adverse impact on the close-knit island community of approximately 730 people, despite the severe limitations experienced due to the international pandemic.

"What it really does is future proof the island in terms of its connectivity. I mean, there is no State Highway 1 to the Chatham Islands, it is the airport," says Air Chathams Chief Operating Officer Duane Emeny.

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