Billie Moore: Airports Association Chief Executive on Government releases first ever aviation plan

Hopes that the Government's aviation plan can help more pilots take off.  

The Government released the first ever strategy for the sector. 

Part of that is a commitment to look at pilot education and create a workforce plan. 

Airports Association Chief Executive Billie Moore told Ryan Bridge it's something we can't afford to neglect. 

She says there's already a pilot shortage, so we need to get a move on. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Aviation New Zealand fee, Sorry Airways New Zealand fees. Getting
a look under the hood. This is part of the reason,
part of the reason why we pay more to fly
around the country. The Associate Transport Minister, James Mega says,
reviewing a bunch is reviewing a bunch of stuff. He's
released the Aviation Action Plan. Billy Moore is the Airport's
Association CEO with me this morning, Billy, good morning, good morning.

(00:22):
What did you make of the plan?

Speaker 2 (00:24):
Look, we're really happy to see this plan come out.
It's hard to believe, but there's never really been a
government aviation plan or strategy before, so this is the
first time that something like this has come out where
government and industry have come together, set some objectives and
will get some Government effort's mobilized around the aviation sector.

(00:49):
Most of the effort and government policy is very much
in land transport. So we're really keen to make the
most of this opportunity.

Speaker 1 (00:56):
How is it that we've had basically an outdated student
loan cap for people who want to be pilots, you know,
the loan doesn't cover the tuition fees.

Speaker 2 (01:05):
Well, Look, it's been a big issue and something the
industry has been talking with government about for a long time.
We haven't got so far in this plan in terms
of getting a commitment to listing the loan cap, but
there is a commitment from the Ministry of Education to
work on the overall policy settings on pilot training. It
is going to be essential to sort something out there.

(01:28):
Pilot's going to be in huge demand globally as we
get more innovations in the aviation sector, including vertical take
off aircraft. We already have a shortage, so we've got
to get a move on in that space. So at
least we've got a commitment to a work program there.

Speaker 1 (01:44):
I see a HARKA is getting an upgrade. It's going
to be the ultimate for wide body aircraft. What happens
with Auckland, Like if you're flying into Auckland and Auckland
Airport's out of action, where do you go to in
a big plane.

Speaker 2 (01:55):
Look, it's different for different airlines, but the key thing
is airlines need the certainty that they've got options for
alternate lending. So it's really normal for them to have
an alternate nominated. But a HAKIA is a really important
one and we haven't had twey for seven options for

(02:17):
a hacker to be available to the airlines and situations
where there it's safe for weather or other issues, so
it helps a lot. Otherwise they need to carry more
fuel to go further south, say the christ Church.

Speaker 1 (02:31):
Yes so because basically if you're coming into Auckland, Auckland's
out of action, there's nowhere you'd have to go, what
to the South Island.

Speaker 2 (02:38):
Potentially sometimes to Wellington, but Wellington isn't always suitable, although
it will be soon when they've got their runway upgrades completed.
So it's about having more options. Just gives airlines greater
certainty and we could.

Speaker 1 (02:53):
At least get to a high yet. But is that
weird because it's the biggest airport, it's where most people
fly into when the closest you can get is like
a five hour drive.

Speaker 2 (03:04):
Yeah, look, Hamilton might be an option at some stage
as well. The more options and good infrastructure that we have,
the better. Really on this plan will also focus on
the future infrastructure requires requirements we need in the system,
including airspace and having a haker on that list and
the ability for that to be available for longer hours

(03:28):
for your line. It's going to be an important first step.

Speaker 1 (03:30):
Yeah, Billy, appreciate your time this morning. Thank you. Billy
Moore in New Zealand Airports Association Chief Executive.

Speaker 2 (03:35):
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