Nelson judged best NZ airport

MARTIN DE RUYTER/Nelson Mail

SIMPLY THE BEST: Nelson Airport's Steve Johnson, left, Bridget Smith, Janine Stephens, Sam Kearney, Alasdair Macdonald and Kaye McNabb celebrate with the Airport of the Year trophy, awarded by the New Zealand Airports Association.

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Nelson Airport has been rated the best in the country, and now has a trophy to prove it.

The company was presented with the Major Airport of the Year award at the New Zealand Airports Association Conference last week, heading off competition from the country's international airports.

Nelson Airport company chief executive Kaye McNabb said the 500,000 passengers passing through the terminal each year placed the airport in the major airport category.

The award recognised its service as a hub for major airlines, and the general atmosphere of the airport. ``There are not many airports where you see passengers lying on the lawn in the sun waiting for their boarding call,'' Mrs McNabb said.

The award also recognised the contribution the airport made to the economy through the operations of several aviation companies at the airfield.

Air New Zealand Link operator Air Nelson and its engineering division is based here, along with Helicopters New Zealand, which has its head office and engineering division at Nelson Airport.

Several aircraft maintenance firms based at the airfield contributed to the overall success and Interspace Advertising had its Australasian headquarters here, Mrs McNabb said.

Nelson Airport company chairman Ian Kearney said the award was a credit to the management and staff as well as to all the support services, including the rescue fire service, the grounds services, the cafe staff and the cleaners.

``It is particularly satisfying to note that this is an industry association award.

``The other airports, such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, have recognised the excellence of Nelson Airport,'' Mr Kearney said.

Mrs McNabb said the award was completely unexpected, and came at the end of a promotional presentation at last week's conference.

``While Nelson Airport is quite small and does not serve jet or international traffic, it is still the fourth-busiest, which puts us in the major airports category, so success at this level is particularly sweet,'' she said.

Mrs McNabb gave credit to the small team within the airport company, plus check-in staff, taxi and shuttle drivers who worked together to create a welcoming atmosphere for Nelson visitors.

Wanganui Airport won the smaller airports award.

- © Fairfax NZ News