Oh... so what about visiting taildraggers - I understand that they will be able to still use the grass (unless PAL wants the odd groudloop?)
There are also some other issues going on at PP. Helipro is most likely to consolidate all flight training to PN in the new year - something that students currently at Helipro are starting to hear.
Informal word from CAA is that they were never going to allow Air NZ flights at PP due to the surrounding urban environment in too close proximity. Perhaps Sir Noel Robinson is merely playing a ruse, portraying the CAA as being bastards, all the while knowing what the real story is? Then when he closes the airport as it is not economically viable and he converts completely to a big box and urban development - who will really be surprised?
As one drives past, the only development that appears to be happening is the construction of the Mitre 10 Mega and the associated roadworks to accomodate it....