More details have been revealed about Christchurch Airport’s plans to build an airport in Tarras.

On Wednesday (July 22) Christchurch Airport chief executive Malcolm Johns said $45M had been spent on the project to date, including the purchase of 750ha of land bordered by State Highway 8 and 8A. 

The company plans to start with a 2.2-kilometre runway, he said. 

Speaking with Radio New Zealand (RNZ) on Thursday (July 23), Malcolm wouldn’t rule out international flights but said the future airport was "much more likely to remain domestic and trans-Tasman".

The initial runway investment would support jets, he said. Possible investment over the next five to 15 years could cost in the ballpark of $350M, Malcolm said. 

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Christchurch Airport unveils plans for jet-capable airport at Tarras

“The conversations will come first and out of that will come a concept which will lead to a consenting process and that will be the point at which you go ahead and decide about doing anything on the land - that will be years in the process.”

Christchurch Airport (Christchurch International Airport Limited) is owned 75 per cent by the Christchurch City Council and 25 per cent by the New Zealand government.

This rural land near Tarras may one day be the site of an international airport.

A new airport at Tarras would become the district’s third airport. Mayor Jim Boult said the news was surprising. 

“Yesterday’s announcement from CIAL was surprising, and I regard it as a strong vote of confidence in the future recovery and prosperity of our district and the central and southern parts of the South Island sufficiently to make such a significant investment.”

Jim was Christchurch Airport’s chief executive from early 2009 until the end of 2013.

“As I know very well from my time in the airport industry, purchasing land is only one step in a very long process of developing a greenfield site airport and recent debate within our own district has clearly shown there are many perspectives and factors that need to be considered as [Christchurch Airport] progress their discussions.”

He pointed out that there was opposition to wide-body jet aircraft in the community, likely referring to Wanaka Stakeholders Group, which has opposed introducing jet services at Wanaka Airport.

Chair Michael Ross released only a short statement about the news for Tarras.

“The plans for a new airport at Tarras is news to us, and of course we'll be interested in further detail when that is released,” he said. “But for now, Wanaka Stakeholders Group Inc. is 100 per cent focused on opposing the proposed jet airport planned at our community airport at Wanaka.”

Meanwhile, Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said she was delighted by the news. 

“I welcome today’s announcement from Christchurch Airport that it has purchased land and intends to build a new airport near Tarras. If the plan goes ahead, it would relieve congestion and concerns around Queenstown and Wanaka airports and set this region up for the future.”

Malcolm will be visiting Tarras next week, where he is likely to get a mixed reception from locals.

PHOTO: Supplied