How Ardmore is Powering Economic Growth in Franklin.
Historical landmark, aviation icon, and growing commercial development, Ardmore Airport is undergoing a moment of exciting transition, growth and evolution. That’s par for the course though—since its inception in 1945 the aeronautical hub has consistently evolved to meet the changing demands of the times. We spoke with Dave Marcellus, Ardmore Airport CEO, about building on the site’s rich heritage and the role it will play in shaping Franklin’s future.
Three nautical miles southeast of Manurewa, 33 km from Auckland’s CBD and smack dab in the heart of Franklin, you’ll find one of New Zealand’s busiest and most rapidly developing airfields, aeronautical hub, Ardmore Airport.
The Ardmore Airport story is one of evolution, adaptation and change. Originally established during World War II, the site was originally intended as a base for B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, as per a request from the US Air Force.
As the Pacific War progressed, however, that intended purpose was never realised, and upon completion in 1945, Ardmore instead became an important base for training New Zealand pilots and returning servicemen, and later, as home base for the Auckland University School of Engineering.
In the 1950s Ardmore’s facilities were used as accommodation for competitors in the Empire Games—a swimming pool and running track were built to provide training facilities to the competitors—as well as a site for the New Zealand International Grand Prix.
In 1952 the Ministry of Transport took control of the operational parts of Ardmore for general aviation purposes, and by the ‘60s, Ardmore Airport’s use as a general aviation facility blossomed, serving as an important alternative general aviation hub during the construction of Auckland International Airport.
When public ownership came to an end in the mid-1990s, the airport shifted towards a more commercially oriented operation, and today, Ardmore Airport is one of New Zealand’s busiest, most self-sufficient and thriving aerodromes.
A Day in the Life of Ardmore Airport
Today, Ardmore Airport is a hub for both New Zealand and global aviation communities. The country’s premier facility for general aviation and flight training, it hosts six major flight schools, charter operators, maintenance bases and aircraft restoration and other specialised aviation businesses, private hangars, plane refuelling stations, a post office and cafe and more.
The diverse ecosystem features more than 100 tenants and is one of the busiest aerodromes in the country.“With so many businesses here and over 650 people working here, Ardmore Airport provides a very stable employment base for the Franklin and Auckland areas,” says Dave Marcellus, CEO of Ardmore Airport.
“There are more than 105 tenants here now, and that’s made up of some really high-capacity aviation businesses, the largest of which has over 120 staff, and that’s also complemented by a lot of other small businesses in maintenance, engineering, electronics, navigation, and more.”
“We also have a lot of corporate aviation, there’s the recreational base, and there’s a flight training base too. And some of our businesses here are actually 95% global trade, so Ardmore Airport is really central in the global aviation community for aircraft parts, repair and maintenance.”
“Business is going really well.”
The airport’s flight schools are key international draws attracting significant numbers of students from around the world, and boosting the local rental market with international students who require local accommodation, amenities and support.
“There’s huge global demand for pilots and pilot training,” says Marcellus. “We’ve got some really well-established flight schools that have been here for a long time that cater to both New Zealanders and international students. We’ve developed a great reputation internationally and do quite a bit of work to promote New Zealand and promote Ardmore around the world.”
Navigating Change with Ardmore Airport
While aviation and training remain at the core of Ardmore’s operations, the airport has set a course for diversification, with a significant industrial development project underway. The development will bring a range of non-aviation industrial businesses to the airport, increasing employment at Ardmore, potentially by a factor of five.
Located just a few kilometres away from the motorway—and with a huge demand for industrial development in Auckland generally—Ardmore Airport is a prime site for further development, says Marcellus.
“As urban growth extends towards Ardmore from nearby city centres, it’s likely that Ardmore Airport will evolve into a more urban-oriented facility in the coming years.”
“We already have the infrastructure here—roading, water, power, and wastewater—so all those core services and core infrastructure that are needed are already in place, so this sort of development makes sense for us.”
“It’s really important for airports around the country to focus on non-aviation revenue to stay sustainable,” says Marcellus. “So right now we’re in the first stage of a 20-hectare industrial development that’s focused on attracting commercial industrial tenants. That could be engineering companies, manufacturing, innovation and potentially even sales like your rural supplies shops.”
Balancing Growth and Heritage
Marcellus says that he and his team are committed to building a strong, sustainable aviation base while also embracing new economic opportunities, including plans for a second stage of industrial development in the next five to ten years.
“We never envision a day where our airport isn’t here,” he says. “Our opportunity really is to maintain that aviation community we’ve built while developing a new non-aviation industrial community too.”
Marcellus says that he and his team are committed to building a strong, sustainable aviation base while also embracing new economic opportunities, including plans for a second stage of industrial development in the next five to ten years.
“We never envision a day where our airport isn’t here,” he says. “Our opportunity really is to maintain that aviation community we’ve built while developing a new non-aviation industrial community too.”
However, with growth comes difficulties, particularly as residential areas creep closer to the airport.
“Our big challenges now are going to be the interaction between aircraft using Ardmore Airport and residential, urban encroachment from the Papakura and Takanini areas,” says Marcellus.
“That’s going to be something we’re going to have to work closely with the Council on their future residential development plans. But the Council has been great to work with in everything that we’ve been trying to do so far. We’ve got a great relationship with them.”
It’s also an opportunity of course, and Marcellus says he’s optimistic about Ardmore’s growing role in the evolving Franklin community.
“With that growth, as the urban centres work towards the Airport, we can see Ardmore becoming almost an urban airport. After all, Ardmore Airport really is Franklin’s airport. We’re here for the community. We provide employment for the community, it’s a career base for students and people who want to get into aviation as a career, and it’s also a great facility for recreational pilots.”
“Ardmore Airport is a place that can really cater to all of that and more. People can come and enjoy what we’ve got here, even if it’s just for an afternoon. Come and sit at the cafe and watch the aircraft go back and forth. It’s a dynamic, interesting environment and it’s just got a great feeling about it.”
Shifting Gears: The Future of Ardmore Airport
As Ardmore Airport continues to evolve and expand its offerings, its impact on Franklin and the wider Auckland region is set to grow even further.
“We’re absolutely committed to building a strong, sustainable aviation base for the future. Our opportunity is—and what we’re going to do is—maintain that stable aviation community that we’ve built and to develop a new non-aviation industrial community alongside it.”
“The Franklin area is just continuing to grow. It’s got this lovely diversity to it, beautiful rural land and farmland, with these industrial pockets and residential pockets throughout the whole area. It’s a place of great potential and we’re excited to be a part of that”.
