Eleven leading New Zealand academics have written an open letter to business leaders and politicians saying a proposed new international airport in Central Otago should not proceed, as it runs against prevailing research. 

The letter, sent on Tuesday (January 24), has been signed by professors from Otago, Canterbury, Lincoln, Victoria, Massey and Auckland Universities. 

Signatories include Distinguished Professor Dame Anne Salmond and Professor Shaun Hendy.

Christchurch International Airport Ltd (CIAL) revealed plans to develop a jet-capable airport on 750ha of land at Tarras in July 2020, and CIAL has said a preferred runway alignment would be identified by early 2023.

The researchers (who have expertise in the fields of business, economics, climate science, sustainability, Māori and indigenous studies, tourism, the environment, agriculture, and policy studies) outline multiple reasons why the airport proposal should be shelved. 

These include the “significant environmental, social, cultural and economic as well as political and reputational consequences” of failing to reduce carbon emissions by building a new airport during a climate emergency.

They also point to the need to move “away from the volume-based growth approach” to tourism which “underpins the airport proposal”, and highlight significant concern around the airline industry talking of achieving “zero carbon aviation” based on technologies which currently do not exist. 

The letter also raises concerns about negative impacts on Central Otago’s environment, flora and fauna, strain on regional infrastructure, impact on local and regional communities, wider economic consequences, intergenerational impacts and the wellbeing of those living locally.

“Given the available research and data - and there is plenty of it - it makes no sense whatsoever to build a new airport at Tarras - or anywhere else in New Zealand for that matter,” University of Otago sustainable tourism professor James Higham, who convened the group, said.

Professor James Higham 

The group has formed under the title ‘Informed Leaders’, as they are encouraging decision-makers to factor in relevant research. 

“Decisions to proceed with projects like this with the potential for significant, intergenerational impacts should not be made in isolation by individual companies,” James said. 

“The available research and data should be factored in, discussed openly with stakeholders and key communities.” 

James said the group is calling for a national conversation about new airports.

The letter was sent earlier in the week to the board of Christchurch International Airport Ltd, the company behind the proposal to build an airport at Tarras. It was also sent to the airport company’s shareholders (Christchurch City Council and central government), and other key stakeholders including Christchurch community boards, the Central Otago District Council and the Otago Regional Council.

James said the group is working on a curated index of existing, relevant research that should inform the wider conversation.

Read the full letter read here.