Queenstown Airport operates within noise boundaries set in the Queenstown Lakes District Plan. Each year, it publishes annual aircraft noise contours* using actual flight data to report on compliance with the boundaries over the previous year. Each report also includes a forecast for the following year.
The 2024 compliance report was tabled at the Queenstown Airport Liaison Committee on Monday, 24 November, 2025. Noise modelling confirms airport operations remained with the boundaries in 2024.
However, a minor breach of the boundary to the south of the airfield is expected for the 2025 compliance reporting period. This relates to helicopter activity and increased use of the crosswind runway by small fixed-wing aircraft. Exceptionally fine weather last summer contributed to record activity by the flightseeing businesses based at Queenstown Airport.
Scheduled flights by jets and turboprop aircraft use the main runway, and their activity remains well within the permitted noise boundaries, with capacity for planned growth.
Queenstown Airport Chief Executive Shane O'Hare said: "Immediate steps are being taken to ensure this does not happen again. Queenstown Airport takes its responsibility to operate within permitted noise parameters very seriously. That is why we are informing our shareholders and community about the likely breach now, rather than waiting for next year's compliance reporting."
Queenstown Airport is working with general aviation operators and Airways, which manages air traffic, to reduce use of the crosswind runway. In simple terms, about four small fixed-wing flights a day during peak season need to be moved from the crosswind runway to the main runway for future compliance.
To support monitoring in future, the airport is investigating tools that would provide more immediate data on noise.
Compliance with the noise boundaries relates to noise enabled by the airport and not to operating hours. The airport continues to operate within its consented operating hours.
A series of frequently asked questions relating to noise management at Queenstown Airport is available here.
* Noise compliance reports are independently prepared and verified
