Kaitaia Airport

Kaitaia Airport
IATA: KAT – ICAO: NZKT
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Far North Holdings Ltd.
Location Kaitaia
Elevation AMSL 270 ft / 82 m
Coordinates 35°04′12″S 173°17′07″E / 35.07000°S 173.28528°E / -35.07000; 173.28528
Map
KAT

Location of airport in Northland

Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
12/30 4,600 1,402 Asphalt
18/36 4,190 1,277 Gravel

Kaitaia Airport (IATA: KAT, ICAO: NZKT) is located at Kaitaia in the Northland Region, of New Zealand. It's about 5 hours drive from Auckland and a 45-minute flight from Auckland International Airport.

On 13 June 2005, Kaitaia Airport received an injection of $333,850 to upgrade its runway facilities so that it can accommodate larger aircraft. The Far North District Council approved loan funding for Kaitaia Airport's project that allows it to accommodate aircraft with a PCN 15,000 kilograms (33,000 lb) in mainwheel axle weight. This upgrade allows Air New Zealand to fly into Kaitaia with its Bombardier and ATR 72-500 aircraft. Over the next 3 years, $1.4 million invested into the airport will provide larger hardstand areas and better terminal facilities.

Aircraft transit

Kaitaia Airport is the most northern airfield in New Zealand that has fuel available. Kaitaia airport has a long and smooth runway, it also has the longest runway in Northland and is used by light aircraft, as well as private (such as the Gulfstream V) and a regular Barrier Air Piper Chieftain service from Auckland Airport.

852 km (460 nautical miles) to the North West of Kaitaia is Norfolk Island Airport from which it is 754 km (407 nautical miles) to Noumea in New Caledonia, or 900 km (486 nautical miles) to Lord Howe Island which can be used as a stepping stone to the Australian mainland.

These distances are within the range of many light aircraft when fitted with long range tanks, while the direct distances are usually used with the larger private aircraft which are able to land at Kaitaia Airport. From New Caledonia other Pacific Islands such as Vanuatu and Fiji are within range and can be used as further 'stepping stones' to the other South Pacific and North Pacific destinations.

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
Barrier Air Auckland,[1] Whangarei[2]

Kaitaia Airport previously received Beechcraft 1900D's, operated by Eagle Air on behalf of Air New Zealand, twice daily Mon-Fri and daily Sat-Sun. This route was taken over by Barrier Air from the 28 April 2015. Barrier AIr offers an increase of services to and from Auckland. There are now three daily Mon-Fri services and two Sat-Sun services. Other airlines did also express interest in operating the route, including Tauranga-based Sunair.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/small-kiwi-airline-comes-kaitaia-s-rescue-6231800
  2. ↑ https://tflite.com/takeflitepublicgba/Pgschedule.aspx
  3. ↑ http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/sunair-looks-abandoned-air-nz-routes-blames-airports-high-fares-bd-165462
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