Airport development
Astral specialises in assisting smaller airports develop capability to handle larger aircraft. This work involves an assessment of aircraft takeoff and landing runway length requirements, obstacle limitation surface assessment, airside facilities requirements, approach navigation systems, lighting, aircraft noise, rescue fire requirements and land use consent planning. Operational risk assessment, use of performance based navigation systems (PBS) and runway end safety area (RESA) compliance are also becoming a feature of this work.
Astral has internal capability to handle much of this work but partners with other companies for specialist assistance such as pavement design, land survey work, approach procedure design and apron markings.
With these combined resources Astral is generally able to provide a "one stop shop" service to small airport operators or airlines wishing to enhance services at a particular small airport.
Recent assignments include:
- Development of Queenstown Airport (New Zealand) for B737 and A320 international operations, including apron redevelopment, RESA compliance and runway extensions.
- Development of runway extensions and RESA compliance at Rotorua Airport (New Zealand) for domestic and international jet operations.
- Development of Manapouri and Paraparaumu (New Zealand) Airports for Code 3C aircraft operations including obtaining CAANZ Part 139 Aerodrome Certification.
- Preparation of an aerodrome airspace risk assessment at Paraparaumu airport, to determine aircraft operational procedures and facilities (such as an air traffic service) needed to be put in place to minimise the risk of a mid-air collision.
- Participation with other consultants in assessment of wet runway operational risk at Nausori Airport (Fiji).
- Assessment of runway extension requirements for Belfast City and London City airports (UK) on behalf of parties wishing to acquire the airports.
- Assessment of runway length requirements at Dube (Republic of South Africa) and Avalon (Australia) airports as a specialist sub-consultant.
- Assessment of aircraft noise and flight path issues at Canberra (Australia) and Christchurch (New Zealand) airports on behalf of affected landowners.
- Assessment of the operational capability of several remote Pacific Islands runways for a scheduled airline.
- Preparation of method of works plans for numerous airport development projects, including consultation with affected aircraft operators and regulatory agencies.
- Assistance to a major New Zealand airport to identify potential airlines to service the airport and provide advice on payload-range capability for several wide body aircraft types at the airport. This project also involved assistance with achieving RESA compliance.
