The Star: October 27, 2016

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Thursday October 27 2016 31
Watch the A380 arrive
from runway viewing area
THE DAY Christchurch
plane-spotters have been waiting
for is nearly here.
Monday, October 31, will
see the 1.45pm arrival of the
first scheduled A380 aircraft at
Christchurch Airport, ahead of
an on-going daily service.
To give as many people as possible
the best view of the inaugural
arrival, the airport will open a
special viewing area for that day
only.
The airport’s chief aeronautical
and commercial officer Justin
Watson says the grassed area opposite
the main runway will offer
hundreds of people the chance to
park up to witness, film and photograph
the landing at 1.45pm.
“We’ve dubbed it ‘plane-spotters’
park,’ because we are very
aware of aviation enthusiasts’
excitement at this spectacular
aircraft flying in here that day,
and every day afterwards,” he
says.
“We’ll open plane-spotters’
park at 11am and close it after
the double-decker aircraft departs
at 6.45pm.
“This will be the best area
from which to see the plane. Two
other roads people sometimes
park on near the terminal will be
closed that day to help us manage
expected traffic flows and
keep everyone safe, so I suggest
people check the map to get to
plane-spotters’ park.
“That viewing area will be accessed
from Pound Rd and we’ll
have traffic management signs
and staff on the roads leading to
it, to assist everyone to get to the
area safely.”