Queenstown Airport has reached an exciting milestone in its $23 million airfield safety project.
All the earthworks and other preparations for the installation of engineered materials arresting system (EMAS) beds at each end of the main runway were successfully completed in December.
After a well-deserved break, the project team and contractors are now preparing to lay the EMAS blocks, which are designed to crush under the weight on an aircraft and bring it to a safe stop, should one overshoot the runway.
We are proud to be the first airport in Australasia to use this gold-standard technology, which will significantly increase safety for both passengers and the Frankton community.
All up, there are 1,836 pallets of blocks to install. These ramp up in height from 10cm to 50cm and the heaviest blocks weigh 250kg.
Block laying will begin at the Shotover end of the runway, where the construction area is equivalent in size to 20 tennis courts. It will then switch to the Frankton end, with the project expected to be completed by March.
All the work has to be undertaken at night, outside the airport's operating hours, which is a logistically complex undertaking.
In this video, project manager Lydia Hartshorne gives a glimpse at what is involved.
Video: Diaries Downunder
