Airways New Zealand interim CEO announced

The Airways New Zealand Board has confirmed Pauline Lamb will take up the role of interim CEO when Ed Sims leaves Airways on 26 May. Sims’ resignation was announced by the Airways’ Chair on 17 February.

Lamb is Airways New Zealand’s Chief Operating Officer.

Lambs’ interim appointment will continue until the Board completes the recruitment process for a permanent CEO, currently underway. During this period Tim Boyle will provide cover for Pauline as interim General Manager, System Operator. Boyle has been Head of Auckland Operations since 2013.

Sims remains Airways’ CEO until the end of this month. 

NZALPA is taking action now to forge enhanced relations with the interim and new CEO.

“We’re looking forward to interacting more closely with the new CEO of Airways as our hope is that the new appointment will be comfortable communicating with us as a union and the controllers at a grassroots level,” Air Traffic Controller Director Jonathan Brooks said.

More flight service operators join NZALPA

The introduction of flight service operators into NZALPA is getting off to a great start. 

A meeting with new members was held in Christchurch with Flight Service Operators based at the Christchurch Air Traffic Control Centre. NZALPA representatives Jonathan Brooks (ATC Director), Chris Miller (Professional Standards Coordinator), Tom Buckley (Advocate) and Greg Okeroa (ATC Admin Head) welcomed the new members and outlined NZALPA benefits, including the service and care it provides.

“Prospective members were particularly impressed with NZALPA’s work in the general advocate/contract support area, medical and welfare support, and its relationship with Airways to negotiate on the wider issues that affect our industry now and into the future,” ATC Director Jonathan Brooks said.

“We also discussed that, when negotiating terms and conditions, we are equipped to achieve the best possible outcomes for our members because we know our industry the best.”

About 20 flight service operators attended the Christchurch meeting, with others planned around the country. 

Airways’ proposal for Wellington/Auckland combined Approach Control services

Since April’s edition of Uplink, NZALPA Air Traffic Controller representatives have met again with Airways New Zealand to discuss the proposal to combine Approach Control services for Auckland and Wellington, and base more air traffic controllers (ATCs) in Auckland.

Extensive work by the ATC Council continues on this and other areas covered in Airways New Zealand’s 2028 Proposal.

The 2028 Proposal includes:

• The introduction of new surveillance technologies;
• New radar displays and tools;
• Modified air traffic management procedures;
• Combined approach control services for Wellington and Auckland (as with two hubs based in Auckland and in Christchurch);
• Queenstown approach service modified to a surveillance service provided remotely; and
• moving the Enroute Raglan Sector to Auckland.

“In addition to working many hours on these proposals on behalf of our members, we’ll be meeting with Airways on May 24/25 when we expect to progress further and be in a better position to update our affected members,” ATC Director Jonathan Brooks said.

“Following this meeting, we will share the details of these changes with you as soon as practicable.”

New ATC Council members soon to be announced

This year’s Air Traffic Controller (ATC) Council elections are drawing to a close, with promising participation from NZALPA controllers throughout the country.

“It’s a very interesting and challenging time for our industry and I think ATCs will be represented with the best available expertise and passion for what we do,” ATC Director Jonathan Brooks said.

“We’ve seen people want to step up and take responsibility for the interests and welfare of their colleagues by putting themselves forward for roles.

“It’s also been great to see our members actively engage with the election and let us know who they would like to represent their interests.”

Results and an introduction to the new ATC council members will be announced shortly.