New Australian runway in Antarctica

[Dave Homewood]

From www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200608170743/286ca36

New Australian runway in Antarctica could be an alternative to flights from NZ
Posted at 7:43am on 17 Aug 2006

The Australian government says a new ice runway nearing completion in Antarctica could compete with flights from Christchurch International Airport to McMurdo.

The first trial flight from Tasmania to the new Australian runway at Casey Base, is expected in December.

Christchurch has provided free access to the United States Air Force support unit to Antarctica for over 50 years, in return for support for New Zealand's Antarctic programme.

According to its last annual report in 2004-2005; the New Zealand Antarctic Centre transported 373 people to Antarctica, and supported 69 events around Scott Base. The centre employs about 80 people in Christchurch and at Scott Base.

Australia's Environment Minister, Senator Ian Campbell, says the runway, in which Australia has invested $64 million; will appeal to the Americans as it can land passenger jets which are more comfortable than the RNZAF Hercules aircraft currently used.

Confident of switch
Senator Campbell is confident of attracting American scientists to switch to flights from Hobart.

Antarctica New Zealand head, Lou Sanson, says New Zealand would face significant challenges in operating its programme if the United States withdraws from McMurdo.

However, he says it's unrealistic to think the US will move operations, when its supply lines are already established with New Zealand.

[corsair67]

I can't imagine that the US would relocate to Hobart, even if Bush loves Howard more than he loves Clark.

Plus, how far is Casey from McMurdo? You wouldn't want to have to drive a long way across the ice to get your cargo and passengers back and forth.

[Dave Homewood]

Is it on the new highway the US are building there though?

[corsair67]

Ah, I forgot about the US and their mega ice highway! ;D

I'll have to look at a map of Antarctica to see where Casey Station is.

[corsair67]

I found this map on the web:






Casey's bloody miles away from anywhere!

[steve]

Loosing the USAF Reserve operation out of CHCH would be a disaster for our Antartica operation and wishfull thinking from Tasmania. I would be very surprised if that occured while we a trying to improve our relations with Uncle Sam...Politically it would be a slap in the face which I'm sure the greens would love and all there anti US/West supporters...Non starter!

[Bruce]

This is all garbage! the Yanks have been sending heavy jets to Antarctica for decades, there is an Ice runway at McMurdo that can easily cope with C17s and larger for the summer season. In winter you will need ski equipped aircraft anyway, and the constant darkness and extreme conditions make that a rare event anyway. Whats with the statement "will appeal to the Americans as it can land passenger jets which are more comfortable than the RNZAF Hercules aircraft currently used." - most of the US stuff goes down by thier own herks or C17s. If the US needed a new Ice Runway, I'm sure they would have built one themselves (as the road project indicates). who wrote this Article - Yahoo Serious?