Queenstown Airport Corporation
Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) was incorporated in 1988 and since then has been responsible for the management and development of Queenstown Airport, striving to deliver an operationally safe and efficient airport with world-class facilities and an outstanding customer experience that reflects the best of the region.
In 2009, QAC was engaged by QLDC to manage Wanaka Airport’s day-to-day operations. After a public consultation process in 2017, QLDC granted QAC a long-term lease for the management, planning and future development of Wanaka Airport. The 100-year lease commenced on 1 April 2018.
QAC also provides property maintenance services at Glenorchy Airstrip on QLDC’s behalf and is a founding member of the Glenorchy Airstrip Consultative Governance Committee.
QAC comprises approximately 49 staff who reside across the Southern Lakes region and represent diversity in all forms, including age, gender, sexual orientation, nationality and work experience. The current female/male ratio is 40:60 in senior management and 45:55 across the QAC team.
QAC is governed by an independent Board of Directors and owned by two shareholders:
Queenstown Airport
Operating since 1935, Queenstown Airport is New Zealand’s fourth busiest airport. It is a strategic national and regional asset which contributes to the vibrancy and prosperity of New Zealand’s economy, its tourism sector and the regional communities served by the airport. More than 60 businesses and 700 people work across the airport precinct providing a broad range of services.
The airport provides a domestic and international entry point to Queenstown, one of the world’s premium visitor destinations, and direct access to the Southern Lakes region which is home to some of New Zealand’s most iconic scenery and experiences.
Residents and visitors, domestic and international alike, have access to daily air services to/from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, as well as direct trans-Tasman services to east coast Australia through the ports of Brisbane, Coolangatta, Sydney and Melbourne. Auckland and Sydney airports are the major international hub airports for long-haul travel.
Queenstown Airport is also a base for various general aviation activities, including flightseeing and other commercial operations, search & rescue, life flights and other emergency services. It is New Zealand's busiest helicopter port and a popular choice for private jet customers who reside in or visit the region.
Wanaka Airport
Wanaka Airport is a general aviation airport with nearly 300 people working in about 20 businesses. These include flightseeing, flight training, helicopter maintenance, skydiving, private recreational aviation and attractions. Since 1988, Wanaka Airport has been the home of the Warbirds over Wanaka International Airshow. In 2015, the airport joined a select group of NASA global test sites for its scientific space balloon programme.