Queenstown Airport's new 10-year strategy details how it will try to balance economic and social benefits with environmental priorities. Photo: Supplied / Queenstown Airport
Queenstown Airport plans to meet growing demand for air travel without expanding its current noise boundaries, according to its new 10-year strategy.
Coming off a tumultuous few years courtesy of the pandemic, there were still still high levels of volatility and uncertainty, including in its passenger forecasts, the strategy said.
The airport forecast it would have 3.2 million passengers arriving and departing per annum by the 2032 financial year.
Pre-pandemic, the peak was 2.4 million passengers travelling through the terminal within a 12-month period.
The strategy found the existing terminal infrastructure could manage up to 2.2 million total passenger movements before adversely impacting their experience.
A master plan would be developed in the 2023 financial year to provide long-term direction for the design and development of the airport and to inform how its $300 million capital programme would be spent.
Upgrading the terminal to ensure it met seismic strength requirements and could comfortably accommodate more passengers beyond peak pre-pandemic levels was one of the developments being planned for.
The airport was forecasting a total of 1.6 million passenger movements in the 2023 financial year, hitting 2.6 million before the 2027 financial year.
"Our intention is to anticipate and phase the development of new infrastructure so that it is ready 'just in time'," the strategy said.
Chief executive Glen Sowry said the airport sought to achieve the right balance between economic and social benefits alongside environmental priorities.
"One of the key decisions we have taken is to plan for moderate and sustainable growth and not to seek an expansion to the existing Queenstown Airport noise boundaries.
"This represents a shift in our strategy and considers community feedback as well as our company's sustainability strategy.
Queenstown Airport Corporation CEO Glen Sowry says the airport will not seek an expansion of its existing noise boundaries. Photo: Supplied / Queenstown Airport
The airport - which is a council-controlled trading organisation - also outlined its goals to become carbon neutral in the coming year and net-zero by 2040.
"Advances in aircraft technology, including Air New Zealand's introduction of NEO (New Engine Option) powered A320 and A321 aircraft means quieter planes flying into ZQN which is a positive development for the community and the potential to manage growth in the years ahead within our noise boundaries."
The strategic plan comes as discussions heat up over a proposed new Central Otago international airport.
Christchurch International Airport Limited is investigating the feasibility of a new airport after buying 750 hectares of farmland in Tarras.
Queenstown Airport's strategic plan confirmed that it assumed there would be no new international airport development before 2032 in the lower South Island.
"We are confident that Queenstown Airport will meet the needs of the region into the future with excellent domestic and trans-Tasman links which support tourism in the Southern Lakes region and provide connections for the communities of the district with New Zealand and the world."
Chairperson of the Queenstown Airport Corporation Board, Adrienne Young-Cooper, said the airport was well-positioned to support the recovery of the local economy and connect the community with Aotearoa and the world.
"As we move into recovery, it's timely to think deeply about the future of aviation, the associated challenges and opportunities and plan for an airport that is future-ready and continues to contribute to the social and economic well-being of the district over the long-term.
"Sharing our strategic direction with the communities of the region is an important milestone before we embark on consultation on our draft master plan with our key stakeholders including the community."
In the strategy, the airport said its plan could only be achieved if it was financially stable and resilient, including broadening and diversifying its revenue by exploring opportunities in e-commerce, using existing non-aeronautical land, and developing cargo and freight.
That included investing in resilience against a major seismic event and recognising its critical role and obligations as a lifeline utility.
The airport did not rule out potential development on the 148.5 hectares of land it owned surrounding Wānaka Airport, with renewable energy being one possibility.