What other restrictions are placed on aircraft operations at Rotorua airport?
Even with the new runway extensions, and the imposition of the Obstacle Limitation surface, Rotorua airport will not be able to accommodate aircraft larger than the 152 seat Airbus A320 or the Boeing 737-800. Thus while trans-Tasman flights are technically possible, it will not be possible for Airbus or Boeing 747 “jumbo jets” used for longhaul international flights to land at or take off from Rotorua. There will also be restrictions on loadings on a Airbus 320 such as Air New Zealand proposes for the Sydney-Rotorua service. The A320 has a Maximum All Up Weight (MAUW) of 77,000 kilograms (77 tonnes). However CAA advises (Brian Dunn, 21 August 2009) that the maximum takeoff weight for the A320 will be 70,000 kg on Runway 18 and 72,000 kg on Runway 36. Therefore the planes will have to take off carrying 5 to 7 tonnes less than their maximum load, and that will translate into fewer passengers or less freight. An A320 flying the Rotorua-Sydney route will be two passengers short of its 152
