Top Ten Takeaways from NZ Airports Hui 2024

It’s hard to believe the NZ Airports Hui is over for another year! I had an amazing time in Hamilton, and hope you did too. I met people who were attending their first and ninth Hui this year. It’s hugely rewarding to see how many people keep coming back, while our audience continues to grow with new faces. Thanks to everyone who played a part in the event, whether it was speaking, organising or enthusiastically listening!

To transport you back to the Mighty Waikato, here are my top ten takeaways, in no particular order. What were yours?

1. Hamilton’s back on the map. Our fireside chat with Mark Morgan, Ben Langley and Scott Kendall from Hamilton Airport showcased the passion project of returning international services to the Waikato. This story has everything that makes the airports sector so special: a small and dedicated team, local council ambition for the region and its people, logistical and commercial complexity, and through it all, a total focus on the customer. It’s been a big year for Hamilton and Dunedin to secure international routes again. 2025 will be even more exciting as we see the first flights take off.

2. Stronger political engagement in aviation. Minister of Transport, Hon Simeon Brown, spoke about his busy aviation agenda, including milestone achievements on airline performance data and AvSec consultations. His attention was now moving to growth – a theme we all welcome. His Opposition counterpart, Tangi Utikere, told us about his desire to elevate airports as industrial and commercial hubs and promote stronger political focus on the health of the aviation sector. Both speeches showed a deeper understanding and engagement with the sector than we have seen before, which bodes well for the critical role we need to play in New Zealand’s prosperity and productivity.

3. Airports as compound brands. Dr Isaac Henderson added some fantastic academic context to our thinking on brand and customer engagement, defining airports as compound brands which diffuse control to other stakeholders. Pop quiz for those who joined me for this session – who remembers what heterophenomenology means?

4. Sustainability – we can’t do it alone. The deep dive session on Mission Next Gen with Air New Zealand, BETA Technologies and Wellington and Marlborough Airports reminded us of the collaborative approach that will be needed for real system change on electric aircraft. And Stephen Forshaw from Airbus reminded us of the importance of a regional SAF approach across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific – something we will need to see significant progress on by the time of Hui 2025.

5. Challenge your perception of disability. Our accessibility session with Cally Ward, Maioro Barton, Matthew Palliser and Jen Hooper left people talking long after it was over. Joined on stage by Jen’s profoundly disabled daughter Charley, we discussed what it really means to be inclusive of all abilities, the limitations of ‘universal design’ at airports, and the confronting reality of what travel entails for even seasoned disabled travellers. I know the session was transformative for a number of people. At the very least, I expect all airports had a close look at their Dyson hand dryers when they got home.

6. Right aircraft, right route. We heard many lessons on this for both New Zealand and Australia. In our sessions on regional connectivity, we honed in on the lack of manufacturer investment in the development of 19-50 seater aircraft, and where this might leave regional New Zealand’s connectivity as we wait for electric aircraft. Simon Russell painted a compelling picture about the potential for regional tourism growth when the right aircraft are available, and Grant Bacon showed us what’s possible with his efficient and reliable Cessna Caravans. We also had some exceptional insights on the fate of Bonza, and the fact that the market remains open for increased competition in Australia – with the right aircraft and commercial model.

7. The power of champions. Our inaugural Women in Airports and Infrastructure event was a fantastic gathering of over 70 women and their supporters, with inclusive and frank discussions across all aspects of work and life. We discussed the power of champions – the people who back you and support you when you’re not in the room. Can you find one – or be one?

8. The mini hangar. If you didn’t experience Aeropanel Doors’ mini hangar in the exhibition hall, you really missed out on something special. Luckily you can see a snippet of it in the trade show video here.

9. The generosity of our partners. In an engaging set of pavement sessions, Dr Navneet Garg not only gave us his personal time and expertise, but also reminded us of the open book approach of the FAA in connecting partners with information and data. As a small country, we must connect with international experts and organisations – and they’re almost always happy to answer our call.

10. This present moment used to be the unimaginable future. This message from Captain Billy Nolen, Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer at Archer, resonated throughout our plenary room as he told the story of Archer’s eVTOLs, ready for launch in 2025. Our regulatory, infrastructure and commercial models need to adapt to this technology quickly – and it has so much to offer an aviation nation like New Zealand, from high value tourism through to rural connectivity.

There’s so much more I could add, and I haven’t even touched on the Hobbit costumes!

One of our taglines for NZ Airports on this website is nothing beats being there – a phrase that tries to capture the power of in-person connection. I hope you agree that nothing beats being at the hui. See you in Marlborough next year!

Billie