The increase of passengers to the Queenstown area has given the airport operators the opportunity to expand part of their baggage handling services.  A new building that will be starting soon is expected to optimise passenger handling.

Queenstown Airport General Manager Commercial Simon Barr said in a press release, the development of the new baggage make up area was necessary to accommodate the increasing number of passengers passing through the airport.

“Known airline schedules indicate 60% growth in international passengers during the next year, together with a 10% increase in domestic. Our current facilities are designed to cope with passenger numbers of around 700,000 per year while we are actually expecting to reach almost 1 million over the next 12 months.  Of those numbers, the airport is designed to handle 5% international (international passengers have a greater impact on facilities) and 95% domestic but our actual passenger mix is closer to 20% international and 80% domestic.”

Mr Barr said the new baggage make up area would remove impediments to growth at the check in end of the Terminal for the medium term.

Wile buildings were going up around the airport there was still no word about the well over due installation of runway lights.  The airport is subject to use only during daylight hours until it can install the lights.  Flights being able to land and takeoff before first light and after last light would increase the number of flights the airport can handle.

Queenstown Airport (NZQN) is located at 1171 feet AMSL slightly north of the township.