The first large project in Queenstown Airport’s masterplan — which came with a $23 million price tag — has successfully been completed in 22 weeks, involving more than 100 people who clocked up more than 100 night shifts to build the emas.
It is designed to slow an aircraft to a safe stop, should one overshoot the runway.
In Queenstown, 4870 cellular cement blocks have been installed that are designed to crush under the weight of an aircraft — other major airports worldwide utilising the technology include John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, in the United States, and London City Airport.
To date, emas beds have safely stopped 22 aircraft, ranging from business jets to a Boeing 747, with a 100% success rate.
Queenstown Airport has a minimum runway end safety area (resa) of 90m — the emas increased the margin of safety to equal a resa of 204m.
Airport chairman Simon Flood said the project was a "significant investment" in risk mitigation and testament to the board’s commitment to providing world-class infrastructure for Queenstown’s community, travellers, and airline customers.
