Auckland Airport will be hosting the Airport Management Professional Accreditation Programme (AMPAP) gateway course – Air Transport System – from 4 October to 8 October 2010.

The Airport Management Professional Accreditation Programme (AMPAP) is the first global programme of its kind.  Its successful completion leads to the International Airport Professional (IAP) designation.   We have arranged this opportunity as a result of inquiries from members last year regarding opportunities to develop senior airport executive skills and knowledge. This is a well regarded course and qualification, endorsed by ICAO and Airports Council International (ACI). There will not be another opportunity to attend the mandatory ‘gateway’ element of the programme in Australasia for at least two years. Each gateway course draws airport professionals from around the world, with excellent networking opportunities.

Auckland Airport is hosting the gateway course (Air Transport System) from 4^rd October to 8^th October 2010.  This is a face-to-face course, while the three other core mandatory courses (Airport Master Planning, Development and Environmental Management; Airport Commercial and Financial Management; and Airport Operations, Safety and Security) are each conducted online over four week blocks. To complete the accreditation, two elective courses are also required. These are typically five-day face-to-face courses.

The four mandatory courses (including the Auckland course) cost Euros 2150 each (about NZ $3800 at today’s rates).  There are application and registration fees totalling Euros 220, and while working towards accreditation there is an annual fee of Euros 150. Take advantage of currency exchange rates! To complete accreditation, two from  a growing range of elective courses must be completed. These are typically five-day face-to-face courses costing Euros 1000 to 2000. Candidates need to complete the four mandatory and two elective courses within a three year timeframe to achieve the API designation (but the individual courses are naturally excellent value in their own right, whether or not you want to complete the full qualification).

If you or one of your senior staff is interested, please don’t leave it too long – we understand that the Auckland course is likely to be popular with North American and European airport executives.

Information on the entire AMPAP course is available here

Further details on the course hosted by Auckland will be available soon

Airport Security  14-15 September 2010, WatersEdge, Sydney NSW

At Airport Security 2010 you will hear how your peers developed efficient security systems without hindering business opportunities, as well as receive important updates from government departments.

Airport security 2010 features case studies from Australian and international airports including Adelaide Airport, Townsville Airport, Auckland Airport and Vancouver International Airport.

Airport Security 2010 will bring together stakeholders from the aviation industry as well as key representatives from government to help you discover the best methods for meeting the challenges of:

• Balancing business and security objectives to ensure the success of your airport
• Optimising your airport’s security systems while minimising the cost passed on to passengers
• Understanding the latest technological innovations for airport security and determine which ones you need to invest in
• Ensuring compliance to legislation and government standards while avoiding cost blowouts

Speakers include:

• Tony Gollin, Chief Operating Officer – Auckland Airport
• Don Erenholz , VP Airport Operations and Engineering – Vancouver International Airport
• David Batic, Aviation Manager – Townsville Airport
• Paul Retter, Executive Director – Office of Transport Security – Department of Transport of Infrastructure

Call +61 02 9229 1000, email registration@iqpc.com.au or visit www.airport-security.com.au for more details and to register.

A copy of the applications and submissions, including a submission from the NZ Airports Association, are available here.

Canada Geese and pest management

Pest management is certainly a common interest. One issue I’m sure many of you are interested in is the control of Canada geese. The Wildlife Protection Review concluded (not unexpectedly) that this goose is a problem and isn’t being managed as effectively as we would like. Something you already knew.

I have spoken with Fish and Game and Federated Farmers to get their views on the current situation. It probably comes as no surprise that they have differing perspectives, as does DOC. Today provides me with an opportunity to air my own thoughts on the matter. No decision has been made at this point as the matter is yet to go before Cabinet, so your feedback will be helpful.

Currently Canada geese are listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Act and are managed by Fish and Game. Farmers and any other property owners require the consent of game licence holders and have to pay to control the geese where required.

I don’t consider this requirement to be of much benefit. It creates friction between farmers and Fish and Game and generally results in frustration. A possible solution is to keep Canada geese in Schedule 1, but allow farmers to shoot them on or over their own property. Poison would not be allowed. Shooting only, with shotguns or rifles. It would not matter whether the goose was on the ground or in the air, but hunting could not be offered for reward.

Fish and Game would remain responsible for managing the overall population of Canada geese in New Zealand. They have made it clear that they want to retain this responsibility. As far as public land is concerned, their role will remain unchanged.

The proposed change is focused on private property and also aviation safety. It would allow farmers to take charge of troublesome geese on their own land, while freeing up Fish and Game to focus on managing these birds on public land and waterways. It makes sense that property owners are allowed to manage these geese when they are at those pest levels. I know they can be quite tricky to deal with, but a few shotgun rounds may dissuade them from settling on your land – but they may settle on your neighbour’s land. To classify them as a pest, however, would absolve Fish and Game of responsibility and potentially involve heaps of regional ratepayers’ funds with formulation of pest management strategies.

As I said, this proposal has not been taken to Cabinet, so your feedback would be appreciated.

Peter Griffiths and Anita Mazzoleni have been appointed for a three year term and John Bartlett for a two year term. The appointments commence on 25 June 2010.

Mr Joyce says with a significant work plan in front of it – including a value for money review and a funding review – this is an appropriate time to refresh the CAA’s governance.

“The three new board members have an excellent mix of skills and experience that will enable the board to drive cultural change and increased efficiency at the CAA.

“We have also taken the opportunity, as part of this process, to stagger board appointments and renewals across different years.  This is good practice and will ensure that in the future the Authority is refreshed regularly.”

The membership of current board member Susan Hughes QC has been extended from 30 November 2010 to 30 May 2011. Rick Bettle continues as Chair.

The terms of three members have expired and they will be leaving the board. Errol Millar served for three years on the board as Deputy Chairman, CAA. Darryll Park was a member for seven years and served as Deputy Chairman, Aviation Security Service (the CAA board’s responsibilities include the Aviation Security Service). Ross Crawford was a member of the board for three years.

Mr Joyce paid tribute to outgoing board members Errol Millar, Darryll Park and Ross Crawford.

“I thank them for their dedication and the contributions they have made both to the CAA and the Aviation Security Service.”

Peter Griffiths

Peter Griffiths will be Deputy Chairman, CAA. Mr Griffiths retired as Managing Director of BP Oil New Zealand Ltd in August 2009.  He is a member of New Zealand Oil and Gas, Wanganui Gas Ltd, New Zealand Diving and Salvage and an independent director of Greenstone Energy Ltd.  He was Chair of Liquigas Ltd and Bitumix Ltd.

Anita Mazzoleni

Anita Mazzoleni trained as a lawyer and is a chartered accountant and consultant.  She is currently a Commerce Commissioner and a member of Ngāti Whātua o Orakei Corporate Ltd.  She was a member of Industrial Research Ltd, General Counsel of Contact Energy, a director of Deloitte Corporate Finance, and General Manager of Citibank.

John Bartlett

John Bartlett has strong aviation industry experience, particularly in the area of strategy and development.  He was Executive Director of Pacific Blue Airlines and has held senior executive positions in Ansett New Zealand, Virgin Group and the Civil Aviation Authority.  He is currently Chief Executive of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

“I have been pragmatic about the changes given to some species and a reduction in protection will be the best way to manage some populations.

The new changes will take effect on 8 July 2010.

A table in the Minister’s announcement comments on the Spur-winged Plover:  ’Species poses a major hazard to aviation – is responsible for 37% of bird strikes nationally (over 50% at 10 airports), costs aircraft operators hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, and jeopardises the safety of aircraft. Necessary management is prevented by current protection status’

The Plover will now be under Schedule 5:  ‘Will allow control under regional pest management strategies, and permits will no longer be required for control. Will improve aviation safety and reduce current costs to aircraft operators.’

A final decision is yet to be made on the level of protection for Canada geese.  

The Minister’s full statement is available here

The Court of Appeal’s decision in December 2009 had upheld an earlier High Court ruling in favour of Auckland Airport.

Auckland Airport says the decision will allow it to continue developing a modern and dynamic airport business district that will generate economic growth for Auckland and New Zealand.  

The claim for land made by the Craigie Trust under the Public Works Act was originally heard before the High Court in March 2008. Following the dismissal of the claim by the High Court in June 2008, an appeal was heard by the Court of Appeal in September 2009. In its decision released in December 2009, the Court of Appeal dismissed the claim as the land is still required for a public work. Further, the Court of Appeal ruled that even if not required for a public work it would be unfair, unreasonable and impracticable to require the land to be offered back.

The Commerce Commission has released its Draft Input Methodologies Determination and Draft Reasons Paper, and Draft Information Disclosure requirements and associated reasons