More than 920,000 passengers passed through Queenstown Airport in the past year, meaning the 1 million-passenger mark is well in sight for the next 12 months.
International passenger activity remains strong, with an 81.5% increase in the number of international passengers passing through the airport in April compared with the previous April.
Domestic numbers are good also - in March a record 73,103 domestic passengers used the facility.
With winter flights starting in late June, the airport will again be operating to its maximum capacity. During the peak week in July there will be 30 international flights, an increase of 36%, and more than 239 scheduled aircraft movements. This will probably be the busiest week of the year.
The airport terminal is regularly operating above its capacity of 600 passengers an hour, often processing up to 850 people an hour at peak times.
So, in preparation for the next six months, Queenstown Airport is focusing on its infrastructure plans.
An extension of the apron (the area where aircraft are boarded), realignment of the jet stands and the addition of an extra jet stand are projects nearing completion.
Changes will enable the airport to accommodate the higher number of jets expected this winter, as well as provide additional room for corporate jets. The apron realignment will also make the next terminal expansion easier.
Runway lights are nearly finished, which will give the airport the potential to enhance daylight operations in marginal weather in the coming winter season. Plans are in place for the inaugural switch-on event.
The extension of the baggage reclaim area will give the airport 40% more capacity - essential when international and domestic flights coincide.
The temporary extension of the international arrivals area will also help accommodate the increased number of passengers.
In total, about $5 million worth of work is being completed to help with the busy season.
Within the terminal many facilities are being streamlined. From June, international travellers can pay their departure fee at electronic kiosks or at selected airport retailers.
This approach will speed up the process of paying departure fees and be a much more pleasant experience for travellers. Jetstar will also offer a link to the Queenstown Airport website, where departure fees can be paid online.
Last week, the airport welcomed the decision by Air New Zealand and the Queenstown Strategic Asset Group to withdraw legal proceedings against Queenstown Airport and several other parties.
The Queenstown Airport Corporation can now focus attention on the tasks ahead.
The corporation is a council-controlled trading organisation (CCTO), meaning it is an independent trading operation run as a business and a good corporate citizen.
Queenstown Airport Corporation is excited about the challenges ahead of continuing to develop the airport and fulfilling its obligations as a successful business, handling the district's growth and becoming the best airport in New Zealand.
