Airport ready for winter rush

Tens of thousands of passengers will pass through Queenstown Airport over the next fortnight, as the town returns to pre-Covid levels of busyness. 

The airport has 379 flights scheduled to arrive over the first two weeks of July, not far off the 413 it handled during the corresponding period in 2019.

New Zealand school holidays begin this weekend and the Matariki public holiday on 14 July will also see more people travelling.

Various improvements have been introduced to help with the rush, including nine extra self-service kiosks, six automated bag-drop units, four new covered boarding ramps, a new control room, and clearer flight info screens.

"The terminal will be busy, but we're well-prepared," Chief Operating Officer Todd Grace says.

"We've used the past couple of months to complete a series of projects that will increase our operational efficiency and customer service, and we have more work under way."

The self-service kiosks and automated bag-drop units have been added to the check-in area shared by Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia. Grace says queues have reduced markedly since the introduction of this technology.

"Nobody likes waiting in line to check in or drop bags. This technology speeds up the process and is easy for passengers and airline staff to use."

Self-service bag-drop technology is speeding up the check-in process at Queenstown Airport

The innovative boarding ramps, imported from the UK and assembled on the airfield, are being put into service as airline ground handlers are trained in their use.

Fully enclosed, they have a low gradient and anti-slip flooring, making them safer to use than the stairs they are replacing. They also make it quicker to get passengers on and off aircraft and reduce the number of passengers who need help boarding.

They are fully electric and solar-powered, which is a first for New Zealand.

"The ramps are another significant investment in operational efficiency, as well as safety, accessibility and sustainability."

The new aviation ramps will get passengers on and off planes more quickly and safely

Another innovation to improve efficiency is the establishment of an integrated operations centre. Queenstown Airport’s duty managers now work alongside airline representatives and Aviation Security managers in a central control room, which enables collaboration and quick decision-making if a problem arises.

And the digital screens providing information about arrivals and departures have been redesigned to be easier to read and to meet accessibility guidelines.

Meanwhile, the terminal upgrade programme is on schedule, with the Patagonia café open again after being repositioned to make space for a fourth security screening lane.

Fit-out of a new pop-up café is progressing well. It will provide another food and beverage option for airport staff and visitors when the domestic departures area is extended to incorporate the Airspresso café. Bathrooms in the departures area are also being upgraded as part of the terminal upgrade project, which is due to be completed by spring.

Longer term, Queenstown Airport’s draft Master Plan has attracted a broad range of feedback from the community.

A video introducing the draft plan has been viewed more than 2,200 times and more than 230 submissions were made through QLDC’s Let’s Talk platform in the consultation period from 24 May to 23 June. 

Other feedback was gathered at public information sessions and meetings with community organisations.

Queenstown Airport Chief Executive Glen Sowry says he and his team have taken every opportunity to discuss the plan with residents’ associations, business organisations and other community groups.

"It is really important that we hear as diverse a range of opinions as possible and use that to create a final Master Plan for an airport that is future-ready, proactive about climate change, and continues to contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of the region over the long term," Sowry says.

"We are mindful of the importance of balancing aeronautical activity with both the capacity of regional infrastructure and preserving what makes the region a special place to live, work and visit."

Queenstown Airport is also consulting iwi and is gathering feedback from ZQN airport stakeholders and users.

A full engagement report will be released in August and a final Master Plan will be delivered to shareholders for consideration later in the year.