The runway lights at Whakatāne Airport have been replaced with a new ‘Abbreviated Precision Approach Path Indicator’ (APAPI) system, which was commissioned last week after successful calibration flight testing.

Whakatāne District Council Senior Commercial Operations Officer, Mark Cleghorn, says the previous, outdated system’s age meant it had become problematic to maintain.

“We simply couldn’t source spare parts for the old system, and it was becoming fragile,” says Mr Cleghorn. “The new APAPI system meets the requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority, but it can also be easily upgraded in the future, as user needs change.”

The work has been carefully planned by the contractor, Charlie Armstrong of CAA Electrical, in collaboration with Airways New Zealand and Council staff, to ensure a seamless transition to the new system with no delays to scheduled services.

The upgrade was originally scheduled to be carried out last year but was delayed following the cancellation of Air New Zealand’s Whakatāne flight services.