Jason Rhodes, owner of the National Transport and Toy Museum on land next to the airport, told the Otago Daily Times yesterday he was approached last year by an ‘‘interested party'' keen to own the airport.
Mr Rhodes said the airport had a government valuation of $22 million.
The council is today considering a consultants' report that favours the airport being either set up as a separate council-controlled company or sold to the Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC).
QAC manages Wanaka Airport for the council.
The council, in turn, owns 75.01% of QAC, with the remainder owned by Auckland International Airport Ltd.
Mr Rhodes said even if the council sold the airport to a company it owned 75.01% of, ‘‘it is still a sale''.
‘‘I don't care how they spin it, they're still selling it.''
Mr Rhodes believed if the council decision was to sell, then the airport should be put out for public tender.
‘‘So, therefore, anybody should be able to make a legitimate bid for it.''
He questioned whether ratepayers would get ‘‘the proper value'' if the sale was restricted to QAC.
Mr Rhodes said he was also aware of plans to build a new airport in the Upper Clutha, on land administered by the Central Otago District Council, south of Luggate.
‘‘The people behind it have more than enough money and they already own airports around the world.''
Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper said he was unaware of the any such proposal.
‘‘You would have to wonder why you would build another one. I've got one at Alexandra they can use anytime they like.
‘‘I look forward to the resource consent being applied for.''
Wanaka Chamber of Commerce president Alistair King did not respond yesterday to an ODT invitation to comment on the future ownership of the airport from the point of view of the Wanaka business community.
