Queenstown Airport taking off

A new $10 million international arrivals hall and baggage reclaim area are among several developments planned for Queenstown Airport to cater for phenomenal growth in passenger numbers.

The Queenstown Times was on Friday given an exclusive tour of one of the lower South Island's most important commercial assets, and given an update on its latest enhancements and $40 million worth of infrastructure projects planned for the next three years, by Queenstown Airport Corporation chief executive Steve Sanderson.

• Slideshow: Busy times at Queenstown's airport

"We're building a temporary extension of the international arrivals hall this winter and during the next six months we're going through a planning phase of designing the new international arrivals area and baggage receiving area," he said.

"To expand the international arrivals hall, we're building an extension veranda which will be enclosed.

The temporary veranda and permanent hall will together double the existing capacity.

"Currently, we can only fit 170 people into our international arrivals hall at a time and we now receive multiple jets. Those aircraft have to keep their on-time performance, and we've got to disembark those passengers so they can prepare for their departures."

The hall project would be built within the airport's designation and only building consent would need to be applied for.

Construction would start immediately after the winter season and take three to six months.

Mr Sanderson said the design of the new hall was modular, so it could be extended quite easily as required.

"The benefits will include less congestion and it's really important for our customers as we are the first impression of Queenstown and the region, and we are also the last impression."

The airport now has six jet stands, but up to seven jet airliners are on the ground during peak times.

The stands were definitely at capacity, Mr Sanderson said.

Three jet stands will be realigned and one jet stand will be built in the next couple of months, as the airlines had requested.

The stands are designed to be "power in, power out" - which should prove to be more efficient, as aircraft will be able to reverse out without the need for a tug vehicle.