Paraparaumu is a small, mainly general aviation (GA), airport located on the Kapiti Coast, north of Wellington. Approximately 53,000 aircraft movements (arrivals and departures) occur each year. The majority of these are GA, such as flying training and recreational flying including gliders, although a small air service operator, air2there.com has scheduled flights to Wellington, Blenheim and Nelson. The main airport users also include Kapiti Aero Club, Helipro and Wellington Gliding Club.

Paraparaumu is clearly the Wellington region’s secondary airport. Its potential as a significant GA centre is complimentary to Wellington Airport’s function as a busy commercial passenger airport, with its low levels of GA traffic. However, its commercial passenger activities are very small compared with Wellington’s and are non-competitive with Wellington. In addition to accommodating GA and passenger services, Paraparaumu Airport is one of the most significant glider centres in New Zealand.

At present, Paraparaumu Airport is a non-certificated aerodrome. To satisfy Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAANZ) requirements, an aerodrome must be certificated when it is served by any aeroplane having a certified seating capacity of more than 30 passengers that undertakes regular air transport operations.

The vision for Paraparaumu Airport accommodates a wide range of aviation sectors, including scheduled services. The forecast includes the introduction of up to 36 seat aircraft within the 30-year masterplan. PAHL have already commenced discussions with CAANZ.