| Oamaru Airport | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: OAM – ICAO: NZOU | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Owner | Waitaki District Council | ||
| Operator | New Zealand CAA | ||
| Location | Oamaru | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 99 ft / 30 m | ||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 18/36 | 4,210 | 1,283 | Asphalt |
| 11/29 | 3,107 | 947 | Grass |
| 02/20 | 2,775 | 846 | Grass |
Oamaru Aerodrome (ICAO: NZOU) is an airport located north of Oamaru, North Otago, New Zealand.
After regular scheduled services were withdrawn in 1989 for lack of commercial viability, Oamaru airport saw regular service from Air New Zealand once again as of early 2006. This came about after the Waitaki District Council decided to reseal the main runway in early 2005. After the resealing, a period of consultation with various airlines came to a successful end when Air New Zealand's subsidiary Eagle Airways began serving Oamaru from Christchurch again.[1]
When the first Jetstream 32EP, arrived from Christchurch (all flights to Oamaru are operated by Air National on behalf of Eagle Airways) a crowd of approximately 500 people were present to view its landing. The aircraft operating the inaugural service was ZK-ECI, renamed "The Spirit of Waitaki" in honour of the reintroduction of services to Oamaru.[2]
Recent schedules (April 2007) had a morning departure (Mon-Fri), with an evening return flight from Christchurch (Mon-Fri plus Sun). In addition, a late afternoon service to Christchurch operated on Fridays. A morning return flight was introduced on Saturdays.
However, after changes to schedules, and a subsequent drop in passenger numbers, regular commercial flights to Oamaru were again withdrawn in early 2010.
The North Otago Aero Club has been operating from the Oamaru Airport since 1956, and offers flights to Dunedin, Christchurch and Queenstown International Airports. In addition their Air Transport license allows flights to any airport in New Zealand.
The main drawback with the club's service is that the small plane can only take two passengers, however they are the now the only air link from Oamaru.
The North Otago Aero Club is involved in flight training also. A student can gain their Private Pilots License, Commercial Pilots License, Flight Instructor Ratings, Mountain Flying Ratings, Aerobatic Flight Ratings and Night flying Ratings.
To supplement the above courses, classes are held to assist the theory side of gaining pilots licenses.
Aircraft Currently residing at Oamaru Airport include, but not limited to: ZK-EOI Cessna 172 - North Otago Aero Club ZK-KBL Cessna 182 - Private ZK-LST Cresco - Wanganui Aero Work ZK-BJY Cessna 180 - Private
Two B-Cat flight instructors currently work part time from Oamaru Airport as well as one Ag Pilot and some private operators.