"When we visited the Manawatu a couple of months ago we heard the business community saying that regional flyers wanted more options for their travel fares," Mr Kerr said.

Mr Kerr said Air New Zealand is introducing a discount card, named Starfish, that will enable substantial discounts across all published fares to and from Palmerston North, including Grab-a-seat (with the exception of the $1 fares).

The card will only cost $200 for a 15 per cent discount on fares or $800 for a 30 per cent discount and will last 12 months.

In addition, Mr Kerr said there would be a waiver of joining fee for Air Points membership as part of this discount offer.

The association is celebrating its 60th anniversary. The week also includes the Royal Aeronautical Society's annual Symposium and the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association annual conference.

Palmerston North International Airport is a Bronze sponsor for the conference.

A young helper holds up one of the new taxiway sign boards that are being prepared for the changes on Thursday 29 July 2010.

Taxiways 1, 2 and 3 will become 'Taxiway B', 'Taxiway C' and 'Taxiway D' respectively labelled from east to west. Holding points will be 'B1', 'B2' etc.

The changes have been published in the AIP. A simplified diagram is available here.

Interestingly old aerial photos show a line of trees in this very location, giving a hint at the reason for settlement. The top of the asphalt surface is being milled off and replaced to correct the shape.

We see a lot of Joe in action at the airport, and reckon this is a well-deserved award.

While his role is mostly on the aircraft apron and 'behind the scenes', his attitude to doing a good job is crucial to good service and there are times when he does deal directly with the public.

Joe is seen here proudly holding the photo taken when Air NZ CEO, Rob Fyfe made the award in Auckland, and an example of one of his 'can do' situations for a passenger was shared.

Good on you Joe - we're proud you are at Palmy!

This document will probably have more impact on the regional economy than most people realise.

The region's unique strategic strength is its central location, so good transport systems are more important to this economy than most. The region should be demanding a better transport network.

This draft is to be applauded as a great step forward. It recognises the gateway and hubbing roles of the region and sets out directions that will help facilitate those roles. It will hopefully coordinate the several authorities responsible for transport infrastructure in the region.

Lack of a cohesive integrated regional plan was a barrier to the best solutions when closing Milson Line was before the Environment Court last year. It is imperative that alternative road routes are developed with urgency so that Milson Line can be closed for future runway development.

Our interest however, is not just with Milson LIne, it is also important that better arterial routes are developed to provide efficient inter-regional routes into the industrial and distribution areas to the north east of the airport.

The draft strategy is available on Horizons website, together with the submission form. Submissions close Friday 6 August 2010.

A total of 35,586 passengers travelled through the airport during June.

This brings passenger numbers for the first six months of 2010 to 4.4% higher than the first six months of 2009, and a second quarter result that is 6.5% above last year.

Operations manager, Roy Bodell said the Auckland sector showed the strongest growth at 18.1% above last year on 3% less available seat capacity. Air New Zealand has been trialling a new pricing strategy on flights to Christchurch and Wellington. "That should stimulate demand on those sectors as well over the coming months" he said.

The company's debt level is forecast to reduce further from $6.1m to $5.6m. The Statement reiterates that although it is based on domestic services only, the company intends maintaining international capability and is striving to re-establishinternational services as soon as possible.

The company says it has taken the opportunity to update the format of the document and revise content to reflect recent planning work. A copy of the Statement of Intent 2010/2011 is available online here.

George Allen worked for 37 years with Air New Zealand, many of the recent years as an aircraft ground handler at Palmerston North International Airport.

His strong scottish accent will be missed out back in the baggage loading area. Best wishes for your retirement George.