Attention on Aviation

Highflyers within New Zealand’s aviation industry and beyond gathered to study and celebrate in Marlborough with the New Zealand Airports Association’s annual Hui. The three-day conference of over 300 delegates from airports, airlines, airport infrastructure and service providers, was held at the Marlborough Events Centre and venues across the region from October 6 – 8.

“We’ve just had a big reflection with the team in a very important time for the aviation industry to come together and host important conversations, in somewhere so welcoming and unique as Marlborough”, describes New Zealand Airport Association CEO Billie Moore. The Hui gives representatives from our country’s many small airport teams to come together, and put our collective expertise to work in what was a great conference and networking event”.

Billie says that wider safety infrastructure, passenger efficiency and runway construction are always a core focus, but increasingly commercial development is helping airports sustain important community contributions they provide through diversification.

“That made it interesting to hear from our host Marlborough Airport and Chief Executive Dean Heiford with the unique relationships they have nationally being on RNZAF Base Woodbourne, but also with Airbus and NMIT”.

Ahead of the Hui starting Monday, Sunday saw a specific focus day on women within the industry hosted by Wither Hills, while it culminated with the New Zealand Airport Awards Gala Dinner at Omaka Aviation Museum, with Queenstown, Dunedin and North Shore Airports being commended as the country’s best on Tuesday.

A Monday morning focus on regional air connectivity saw Marlborough Airport Chief Executive Dean Heiford explain the region’s connections to aviation, followed by executives from Sounds Air and Air Chathams sharing the stage and outlining their future visions.

“Regional connectivity is always a big theme, as it is a main part of our work, so we bring the conference every second year to the regions”, says Billie.

“Having James Meager speaking in his Aviation role around funding for smaller airlines was a highlight. Commissioner of the ACCC, their Commerce Commission, Anna Brakey presented the huge data difference in oversight of their airline and airport sector to make decisions.

Keynote speakers through the three days included Air New Zealand’s GM Domestic Airline Kate O’Brien around network strategy and working with the airline, Jetstar’s Head of New Zealand Shelley Musk and Auckland International Airport Chief Executive Carrie Hurihanganui.

“The entire aviation ecosystem is so connected for this annual event each year”, summarises Billie.

“Marlborough has been getting plenty of fantastic feedback so far, so a huge thanks to the region from everyone involved”.