New Zealand Antarctic Institute Scott Base, Antarctica New Zealand Pictorial Collection Financial review supplementary questions Year ended 30 June 2014 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS Question 131 3 Questions 132-133 4 Questions 134 135 5 2
2013/14 REVIEW OF THE NEW ZEALAND ANTARCTIC INSTITUTE (ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND) Links to publications: Antarctica New Zealand Annual Report 2013-2014 Antarctica New Zealand Statement of Intent 2013-2016 Additional questions for a written response. 131. The committee notes the continuing deterioration of the Pegasus ice-shelf runway and New Zealand's limited ability to utilise RNZAF wheeled aircraft at McMurdo. Please update the Committee on progress and plans, if any, to replace the Pegasus runway or otherwise resolve the logistics problem that its deterioration has presented. The United States Antarctic Programme (USAP) is leading the investigation for an alternative runway site. What, if any, options have been identified so far? Research to date has identified a potential site (Alpha) 24 kilometres to the east of Pegasus Runway. Further airspace and terrain analysis is being conducted by the USAP to confirm the suitability of this site. Alpha site is positioned approximately half way between Pegasus Runway and Scott Base. When does Antarctica NZ anticipate a viable option being available to it? Antarctica New Zealand estimates it is will be during the 2016/17 summer season before the viability of alpha site is known. Only then will it be possible to estimate a date for the new runway to become operational. 3
132. What was the extent of Antarctica New Zealand's added reliance on the USA for airlift capability during 2013/14, and since, as a result of the RNZAF not being able to use Pegasus Field? The RNZAF fulfilled its commitments for supporting the United States Antarctic Programme and Antarctica New Zealand during the 2013/14 summer season as wheeled aircraft were able to land on Pegasus Runway prior to its condition deteriorating. The airlift schedules for 2013/14 and 2014/15 were agreed between the US and NZ Antarctic programmes within the joint logistics arrangement. Missions for RNZAF wheeled aircraft were scheduled at the beginning and end of the summer season while Pegasus Runway was operational, supplemented with United States ski equipped Hercules LC-130 missions to the Williams Field ski runway during the height of summer. The 2014/15 programmed RNZAF Hercules C-130 missions were completed despite weather conditions and some mechanical issues. 133. To what extent, if any, has the withdrawal of the RNZAF Boeing 757 further constrained passenger travel? Antarctica New Zealand's passenger needs have been met in combination with the RNZAF and the United States Antarctic Programme for 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons. The withdrawal of the RNZAF Boeing 757 did result in a reduced contribution by Antarctica New Zealand to the Christchurch McMurdo airlink and therefore to the joint logistics arrangement between the United States Antarctic Programme and Antarctica New Zealand. In 2015 RNZAF reinstated Boeing 757 flights to Antarctica, with one return mission flown. The mission provided a freight and crew only southbound flight and a passenger and freight flight north from Antarctica. Has this required greater use of the C-130 Hercules and, if so, at what added cost? The RNZAF offered additional Hercules C-130 flights to compensate for the withdrawal of the Boeing 757 noting that RNZAF require six Hercules C-130 and four Boeing 757 flights annually for crew training and capability to remain current. The offer of additional flights has not yet been requested by the United States Antarctic Programme; therefore no additional costs have been incurred. 4
134. The Committee notes that the constraint on wheeled aircraft landing at McMurdo reduced the level of Antarctica New Zealand operations in 2013/14. How have operations been affected in the 2014/15 year to date? The weather conditions during the 2014/15 Antarctic season have been different to those of 2013/14 with colder temperatures experienced at the Pegasus Runway. These conditions enabled the runway to reopen for wheeled landings on 11 February 2015 and provided an opportunity for the RNZAF Boeing 757 to uplift passengers from Pegasus for transport to Christchurch. A total of five Hercules C-130 and one Boeing 757 flight (Boeing 757 carrying passengers north only) have been provided. One further Hercules C130 flight is planned for April 2015. What actions is Antarctica NZ taking to mitigate the effects of the logistics constraint presented by the deterioration of the Pegasus runway? Antarctica New Zealand is actively working with the New Zealand Defence Force, the United States Antarctic Programme and other logistical support providers to identify alternative air and marine asset types that could support its programme in the future. Antarctica New Zealand is also actively offering support to the United States Antarctic Programme for the construction of a new runway should the alternative site prove suitable. 135. The Committee notes one of Antarctica New Zealand's' intended outcomes is that Antarctic-related business activities in Christchurch grow. Are the constraints on the RNZAF s ability to land aircraft in the Antarctic likely to negatively affect the growth of Antarctic-related business opportunities in Christchurch? If so, is Antarctica NZ able to give an indication of the size and/or nature of business opportunities that may be lost to the Christchurch economy as a result? It is important for Antarctica New Zealand to maintain an operational Airlink between Christchurch and Antarctica. This Airlink provides certainty to the science programme and helps to maintain a continuous presence at Scott Base; and as a result provides economic benefit to Christchurch. In the absence of RNZAF aircraft availability, Antarctica New Zealand will need to charter aircraft to complete the necessary flights. 5