OREANDA-NEWS. Auckland Airport has today opened a new taxiway which doubles the ability of aircraft to access the western side of the international terminal building.

Judy Nicholl, General Manager Aeronautical Operations, says “in addition to reducing aircraft congestion and delays, Taxiway Lima will improve the safety of aircraft movements in times of low visibility. It is also the first part of what will eventually be the network of taxiways serving the airport's northern runway, and its construction greatly increases our ability to cater for future passenger and aircraft growth.”

“Taxiway Lima is a USD 15.5 million investment by Auckland Airport in the future of New Zealand travel, trade and tourism. It was therefore very symbolic that the first plane to use the taxiway was Air New Zealand's and that it was officially opened by the Associate Minister of Tourism, Hon Chris Tremain,” says Ms Nicholl.

The taxiway took nine months to construct and is 650 metres long, 60 metres wide, and 1.2 metres thick. The pavement has been built using 50,000 tonnes of recycled concrete and 15% of the 15,500 tonnes of surface asphalt is recycled. It contains 20 kilometres of electrical ducts, 6 kilometres of subsoil drainage, 1 kilometre of concrete pipes, and 153 airfield lights.

Pauline Lamb, Airways New Zealand General Manager System Operator, says “Airways New Zealand has played a key role in the design and construction of this new taxiway, which will considerably ease the pressure on Auckland air traffic control by reducing aircraft congestion and delays.”

“We're proud of our investment in key infrastructure at Auckland Airport - Airways has built and installed more than 150 LED taxiway lights along Taxiway Lima, and installed paint marking and LED powered taxiway signage,” says Ms Lamb.