The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) is currently unable to maintain the level of rescue fire services that are required to support the arrival of large passenger aircraft around the clock due to a national shortage of qualified personnel and very limited training options.
In response, the RNZAF is working with the Board of Airline Representatives to establish a mutually beneficial solution and is looking to expand its coverage (for Rescue Fire Service Category 7) at the base.
Currently, the RNZAF is able to provide this category of service - which caters to Airbus A321s and Boeing 737s - between 6am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday and expects to expand this soon to include weekends. There is hope that this will enable the base at Ōhakea to become an alternate airport for diverted large planes, as aviation groups are pushing for the next government to ensure the RNZAF base at Ōhakea is locked in as an alternate airport for long-haul planes if they can’t land at Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.
Long-haul airlines that nominate Ōhakea as their alternate save more than a tonne of fuel and eight tonnes of carbon emissions for every service arriving in New Zealand. For the past year, Ōhakea has had insufficient rescue fire resources to provide the backup service, which has already hit airlines. Last year, Covid-19 meant the base’s firefighting capability sometimes wasn’t sufficient to handle some Air New Zealand return flights from New York that had Ōhakea as a backup if they couldn’t land at Auckland.
Additional rescue fire resources for the base would enable significant carbon reductions and cost savings for air services, airports and airlines. The RNZAF is aware of the concerns that have been raised, but a full solution is beyond the current scope of resources. The RNZAF is continuing to seek a solution that is acceptable and sustainable for all parties.
If the RNZAF is successful in expanding the rescue fire services at Ōhakea, it could be a major step forward in providing an alternate airport for diverted large planes. This would reduce carbon emissions, save airlines money and provide a much needed relief for the aviation industry.
