Queenstown Airport Draft Master Plan

A draft Master Plan for Queenstown Airport is now available for community feedback.

We’re partnering with Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) for the Master Plan consultation process. More information about the draft plan and consultation process can be found on Queenstown Airport’s website.

Background

QAC is a Council Controlled Trading Organisation (CCTO) and important community infrastructure asset.

The Queenstown Airport draft Master Plan proposes a series of infrastructure improvements over the next decade to deliver on its 10-year Strategic Plan. It also allocates space to provide options for the community’s needs beyond 2032 and to enable and support the continued decarbonisation of aviation.

QAC is owned by one majority and one minority shareholder:

• 75.01% by the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC)
• 24.99% by Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL)

What's proposed?

The draft Master Plan reflects Queenstown Airport's commitment to operate within its existing noise boundaries for 10 years and outlines projects to make the airport more sustainable and efficient. It also incorporates new safety features and projects to improve the experience of all airport users.

Key projects proposed in the draft Master Plan include:

• extending and modernising the terminal
• creating better passenger flow and land transport connections, prioritising active and public transport networks
• relocating general aviation activities away from the main residential area of Frankton, with helicopters consolidated north of the runway and fixed-wing aircraft in a new precinct south of the runway
• constructing a parallel taxiway to improve the efficiency of the airfield and to reduce emissions on the ground and in the air
• constructing an extra aircraft parking stand
• enhancing the safety of the runway by installing new technology, with engineered materials arresting systems (EMAS) at each end
• building a new base for the Airport Emergency Service.

Queenstown Airport supports our ambition to be a carbon-zero tourism destination by 2030 and is planning for a modest, incremental increase in passenger numbers in line with projected population growth.

How to have your say

Your input will be invaluable in shaping the final Master Plan for Queenstown Airport.

We encourage everyone to take a look at the draft plan and to give feedback.

We want to know what your vision for the airport is, what you like and what you would like to see change to ensure Queenstown Airport best meets the needs of the region and our communities in the decades ahead.

Please submit your comments on the survey form below by Friday 23 June 2023.

Additional Information

Questions & Answers and details of Pop Up events are published on Queenstown Airport’s website.

What happens next

Once the consultation period closes, a revised Master Plan will be presented to Councillors for endorsement prior to being adopted by the QAC Board of Directors. This is expected to happen before the end of the year.