Wellington Airport completed installation of innovative new
runway safety zones yesterday, 24-03-2026, with energy absorbing blocks now in place at each
end of the airport runway.
The engineered materials arresting system (EMAS) provides
additional safety in the unlikely event of an accidental aircraft overrun.
It also effectively extends the usable length of the runway by
optimising space between the safety zones, providing a landing distance
increase of 143m and a take-off distance increase of 37m.
Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke says it has been
a complex project requiring a lot of careful planning.
“In a way, physically installing the blocks was the easy part.
Much harder was the planning and coordination required to realign the
underground lighting, navigation aids, runway entrances and exits, and flight
procedures.
“Most of this work had to be done between 1am and 6am to avoid
impacting flight operations, and the final changeover last night was the most
complicated part of the whole project with around 80 people involved.
“All of our line markings had to be updated in one go, for which
we used 15 line marking trucks – pretty much every crew available in the lower
North Island.
“We planned and rehearsed the sequence of everything to the
minute to ensure we were all set for flights to begin on the new settings from
6am this morning.
“We want to thank everyone involved in this project including
our airlines, the Civil Aviation Authority, Airways, the New Zealand Airline
Pilots Association, Runway Safe, and our contractors and advisors who worked
tirelessly while the city slept.”
Thanks to Wellington Airport Company News site.
The Wellington Airport Company CEO Matt Clarke standing at the northern end of the runway.
The EMAS blocks clearly visible behind Matt.
Above we see the Airways Corporation of NZ's Piper PA-42-1000 Cheyenne 400LS IV ZK-FIS2 c/n 42-5527019 on short finals for a calibration run on runway 34.
Below we see ZK-FIS at rest - a 'tea break I believe'.
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