A Balancing Act

October 08

Queenstown Airport’s continued prosperity is very important to our region. That’s because tourism is the economic backbone of our community - nearly every business and new development in the district relies on a steady stream of visitor arrivals.

In the last week, Queenstown Airport received a positive recommendation from Queenstown Lakes District Council to adjust its Designation to encompass a runway end safety area (RESA). Queenstown Airport has confirmed the Council’s recommendation (as a Requiring Authority) to extend its Designation for the RESA. This is the first milestone in a major project that must be completed by 2011 to meet new Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) safety requirements. Failure to construct a RESA would severely impact our international flights and may constrain domestic operations too. We remain optimistic we have addressed the submissions that were partly against the Designation and there will be no appeals, as they will place the 2011 deadline at risk, and impact on businesses, residents & visitors to Queenstown.

Queenstown is certainly fortunate that it represents a quality destination that people are prepared to pay a premium to visit. This is in contrast to other areas where growth is driven primarily by low-cost airlines. Indeed Queenstown Airport’s success is based on our region’s consistent ability to attract high spending visitors and repeat business.

In the financial year ending June 2008, a record total of 700,640 passengers moved through the terminal. In spite of all the external issues and upheavals around aviation costs and security concerns, Queenstown Airport also continues to generate double digit growth in international passenger numbers.

As we increase the number of flights and passengers, we’re aware of the need to balance a number of competing issues on behalf of the Queenstown community. While we support the diverse and energetic tourism industry, our development plans must be carefully considered in terms of how they affect local residents and businesses, which Queenstown Airport exists to serve. 

Extending our main runway is just one of a series of strategic, future focused initiatives the airport is currently involved in. Another key task involves amending our noise boundaries which were set in 1995 and based on an average noise level over a 24-hour period. These now need to be updated to cater for the forecast growth in flights over the next 30 years. During the year we consulted extensively with our neighbours about noise to find solutions that accommodate their needs. This resulted in our commitment to a compensation package whereby the most affected residential properties will be assessed and insulated. Consultation continues today.

At times it’s important to stop and consider that the first jet aircraft landed in Queenstown in 1992 and the first international flight in 1995, was just 13 years ago. Our region has experienced phenomenal growth and that growth is set to continue.

The Airport is currently working on plans to introduce runway lights allowing flights to land up to 10pm, as currently permitted under the District Plan. At the same time we are also considering the need to extend the time that planes can land – by an additional two hours. We are again very mindful of the impact on some residents and that this must be balanced against the needs of the wider region. Again, consultation continues.

Queenstown Airport has a strong sense of community responsibility and I am pleased that as a result of the consultation we have undertaken this year, our immediate neighbours now have a much better understanding of the balancing act required to accommodate growth. Many have commented they feel they can now make more informed decisions and, in some cases, are relieved to be able to continue with plans they thought were no longer feasible.

Unlike many other commercial organisations, which can continue to operate by simply reacting to short term pressures, airports have long lead times for their projects and must continually plan and look ahead.

If we fail to think and act strategically the impacts on our region could be severe.