Helipro's BK 117 rescue helicopter was on display for the public to see at the open day last weekend.

Many visitors to the airport in the last week will also have had the opportunity to watch Helipro's pilots and crews undertaking extensive winch training with the CREST Rescue Helicopter, including manoeuvring when lifting personnel out of difficult areas.

The airport was opened up to the public and after a low pass down the runway, Spitfire Alfa Lima (ZK-SPI) landed at 11am to a large crowd that showed their appreciation with impromptu applause. Flown by Squadron Leader Sean Perrett, the aircraft had just flown over several towns in the region as its owners, Brendon and Shirley Deere, contibution to recognition of past and present servicemen on Anzac Day.

Cars filled the large grass area in front of Helipro, with streams of families, veterans, and enthusiasts filing en masse into the airport. Car parking was coordinated by the Rotary Club of Palmerston North. A second 'wave' of visitors arrived at the airport to see the Spitfire start up at 1pm to take off.

The crowd was not disappointed as Sean Perrett put it through its paces in front of an excited and appreciative audience.

After a final flight on 12 January 1956, this aircraft went into storage. It then spent many years as a gate guardian at Hmwabi Air Force base (north of Yangon) in Burma, with the incorrect marking of UB425, before being moved to Mingadalon Air Force base in 1995 as part of the establishment of the Burma Air Force Museum.

PV270 has been restored under the guidance of Brendon Deere in the colour scheme of Alan Deere's personal Mk 9 Spitfire when he was Wing Leader at Biggin Hill. The first flight after restoration was on the 18 March last year.

Visitors to the airport were also able to get a close-up look at two of Massey University's new state-of-the-art Diamond flight training aircraft, and Helipro's new base at the airport including their BK117 Rescue helicopter. And to cap off the day, one of Task's Rescue Fire appliances showed its capability to throw water.

Budget Van & Truck Rental Palmerston North can now support Manawatu businesses that might have a van or truck off the road or are in need of extra capacity. They have a full range from small commercial utes and vans to large hardside and curtainside trucks (contact pmrbb@budget.co.nz).

An extension to the current service centre at the airport has been constructed over the past 9 months. Trucks, utes and vans can now be hired from the Palmerston North site.

A number of customers and supplers celebrated the occassion with a function in the airport international departure lounge.

Domestic passengers for March 2010 are up 5.6% on March last year, while the available seat capacity was down 10%. The reduction in seat capacity largely arises from substitution of Q300 aircraft for some services that last year were provided by ATR72 aircraft, rather than any reduction in frequency of service.

The quarter ending 31 March 2010 at 102,582 passengers is up 2.2% on the same quarter last year and is the first quarter to show an increase since September 2008.

David Couper, General Manager of Operations of Foodstuffs (Wgtn) shown here addressing the gathering of business leaders, was joined by John Fowke, General Manager of Toyota New Zealand Ltd and Garry Goodman, Chief Executive Officer of Palmerston North Airport Ltd in a panel presentation that focused on the logistics and distribution sector of the region's economy.

Peter Crawford, economist with the Palmerston North City Council presented the Economic Outlook report for the quarter ending December 2009.

The forum demonstrated a passionate determination to ensure that distribution and logistics, and the necessary transport links, are promoted as a corner-stone of the regions economic future.

Work will shortly be commencing on a round-about at the intersection alongside it.