Rotorua Airport's financial health is music to local councillors' ears.

But what of the safety aspect?

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick noted improvements are underway but she says she's concerned at the turns in and out of the airport on to Te Ngae Road, the arterial route into the city.

A roundabout has been mooted at the airport's central gateway.

Steve says the report detailing is music to the council's ears that the improvements are underway.

'Of course, you'll hit speed bumps with it.”

Her concerns are with safety at the Te Ngae Road entry and egress points.

'The issue I'm really concerned about is that roundabout – it was good to see you now including that in the footprint for your Stage 3 development.”

Could the issue be an advanced priority or was it something the council had to keep batting with the New Zealand Transport Authority?

'I say that because of what it can unlock – what's the airport company's decision around that?”

Airport CEO Mark Gibb says the issue was ultimately a board decision and that conversation had yet to be held.

'We have had outstanding support from the council with Stavros (Michael, a council officer) in and around conversations with NZTA,” he said. NZTA is to meet with the RAL on June 15 to discuss safety and other issues.

'We are working very close with council,” says Mark.

'With the extra movement, it means more and more people streaming onto Te Ngae Road – you know all of this – but the danger (there) now,” says Steve.

'I think we're incredibly lucky no one's been hurt because of the incoming traffic, the speed at which they go.”

It's becoming a very high safety priority as well as unlocking financial potential.

In responding to councillor questions, Mark indicated the business lounge would be sealed from noise, thus people could use laptops etc minus distractions, while the Jean Batten Memorial wall would remain in its present form.

Passenger movements show a strong trend, driven by two factors: Air NZ's cheaper price regime and solid loadings which have carried through from Easter, Gibb said in a presentation to the councillors.

Nor has the airport as many fog issues s in the past. Airport closure rate because of fog was at two per cent, where in the past it has been as high as five per cent.

'We're a safety centric business, with no issues with safety over the last two years,” he says.

The airport was moving quickly through its redevelopment, which should be ready by November this year.

Images show works already in progress. An arrivals hall built in the 1960s has been expanded and improved. The departures area's toilet block has been demolished.

There was 'plenty of upside” to accommodate growth.

'In general terms we are tracking in the right direction,” says Mark.