Whakatane Airport Opened

Whakatane's new £50,000 airport, complete with sealed runways, was officially opened by the Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr J. K. McAlpine, at a ceremony attended by about 5000 visitors and local residents on a recent Saturday.

The nearest airfield to Darton Field capable of handling N.A.C. and S.P.A.N.Z. aircraft, the Whakatane Airport proved its worth recently by remaining open when heavy rain caused the closure of both its neighbours, at Tauranga and Gisborne.

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Spectators watching N.A.C. and S.P.A.N.Z. aircraft at the runway turnoff

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An N.A.C. freighter being inspected by some of the crowd.

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Mr McAlpine speaking at the opening ceremony. Those with him on the platform include Mr Don Butler (chairman, Whakatane County Council), Mr Jim Rivett (chairman of the Airport Committee), Mr Percy Allen, M.P., and Mr Harry Warren, Mayor of Whakatane.