Pilots will not recognise Alexandra Airport when they approach the landing after its new $500,000 reseal.

Last week a new Steelguard product was added to the chipseal to blend in with the existing surface and ensure a much smoother landing.

Queenstown-based HEB Construction’s asphalt crew specialise in the product’s application, and completed the reseal in just six days.

The runway was back in action again on Sunday morning, and airport resident Nigel Forrester said there were some keen locals, including himself, ready to try it out in the weekend.

“It will be interesting to see how long it lasts. But it’s 100 per cent better than what it was.”

The resurfacing of the 1200m long by 30m wide chip sealed runway should last up to 10 years, depending on future use.

Nigel said at the end of day, they were not trying to lift the rating of the runway, “and we couldn’t do it legally anyway without extending it.”

The first and last time the runway was resealed was back in the 1980s when the airport was redeveloped from just a paddock into a paved strip and a terminal building added.

The airport was first opened in the 1960s and the buildings are now jointly owned by the Central Otago District Council and the Central Otago Flying Club.

Mount Cook Airlines operated aircraft out of Alexandra from 1969 to 1991, along with Goldfields Air from 1985 to 1986 (direct route to Christchurch). Pacifica Air was involved from 1998-1989 and Airlink in 1989.

Mainland Air currently operates a private service for medical specialists flying into Central Otago that hold clinics at Dunstan Hospital.

Have a story to share?

Contact [email protected]