Chief of Air Force welcomes Government move on support for airlines
The Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb, has welcomed the announcement by Associate Transport Minister James Meager of funding for round-the-clock air traffic control.
28 February, 2026
It will enable Base Ohakea to serve as an alternate airport for commercial aircraft 24/7.
“While air traffic control is provided by Airways NZ, the extension of the existing hours to provide 24/7 service is a welcome enhancement to the support the Air Force and Base Ohakea already provide to airlines, when flights are unable to land at Auckland or Christchurch,” he said.
“It opens the door for major airlines to achieve significant fuel and emissions savings by avoiding the carriage of additional fuel, and facilitates ultra-long range flights into New Zealand from centres such as New York and Dubai.
“The Air Force’s primary role is the delivery of military air operations to meet New Zealand’s security requirements as defined by the Government, but we are able to contribute to the benefit of our nation and support its communities in many other ways, such as search and rescue and disaster relief.
“Providing support to the airline industry, a key player in New Zealand tourism, by the use of Base Ohakea as an alternate airport is another way in which we contribute, alongside military air operations.
“It’s great that working with Airways NZ, the Air Force can support this improvement in the delivery of a service to the aviation sector.”