Queenstown Airport breaks ground on biggest-ever airfield investment

The first sod has been turned on Queenstown Airport’s new heavy taxiway, marking a major milestone in the largest infrastructure investment programme in the airport’s history.

Associate Minister of Transport and Minister for the South Island James Meager, Southland MP Joseph Mooney, Queenstown Lakes District mayor John Glover, and mana whenua representatives joined Queenstown Airport chair, Simon Flood, and chief executive, Shane O’Hare, alongside project partners at a celebration this morning.

“Today, we’re not simply turning the first sod on a construction project, we’re marking the beginning of a new chapter in Queenstown Airport’s history and investing in infrastructure that will serve the region for decades to come,” enthused O’Hare.

Image depicting the heavy taxiway in place, parallel to Queenstown Airport’s main runway. Credit: Airways New Zealand.

The heavy taxiway is the centrepiece of a NZ$65 million airfield upgrade, which will also include a complete overlay of the main runway.

“The taxiway is a key feature of our Master Plan, but only part of a broader infrastructure investment programme that will transform Queenstown Airport for the future,” noted O’Hare.

Other big projects include a major expansion and upgrade of the airport terminal, redevelopment of the public areas around the terminal, new baggage-handling facilities, and a new head office building.

He added: “These investments will support our airline partners, enhance the customer experience, and create a gateway that reflects our spectacular location.”

WORK PROGRAMME

Queenstown Airport project manager, Greg Emms, said the airfield project team was focused on limiting disruption and would keep the community informed as work progressed.

To complete the project as efficiently as possible and minimise disruption to airport operations, construction will take place during day and night shifts and will be carefully staged so the airport remains fully operational throughout the works.

The perimeter fence on the southern edge of the airfield has been moved in to allow the taxiway to be constructed outside the aviation security zone. It will be moved back once the taxiway has been completed.

Work will start at the Shotover end of the airfield and will include earthworks at night to build up the area between the end of the runway and Hawthorne Drive.

“Queenstown Airport is a vital regional and international gateway to the lower South Island, so it is important we invest in resilient infrastructure,” remarked Emms.