Queenstown Airport

Queenstown Airport may have ''no vacancy'' signs out for private jets this summer, because of limited parking space.

Queenstown Airport Corporation's $4.3 million extension to its departure facilities was a show of confidence in the tourism market at a time when many believed the industry was "on its knees", Deputy Prime Minister and Clutha-Southland MP Bill English said yesterday.

Queenstown Airport has experienced a significant amount of growth, but continued growth must wait for final decisions on issues relating to noise and land acquisition.

An interim decision regarding Queenstown Airport noise boundary issues was delivered by the Environment Court yesterday and an agreement from involved parties is now due by the end of the month.

The 2.45pm Air New Zealand flight from Queenstown to Auckland yesterday was delayed by about 30 minutes when a passenger who was unwell needed to disembark.

The aircraft had moved from the gate, but not taken off, Air New Zealand said yesterday.

St John was called by air traffic controllers at 3pm.

A record number of 1,047,044 scheduled passengers travelled through the Queenstown Airport in the past year ending June 30.

The newly refurbished Air New Zealand Koru Lounge officially opened for members on Saturday and a customer function is planned for tomorrow evening to celebrate the lounge.

A decision on Queenstown Airport's plan change 35 (air noise boundaries) is expected to be made by the Environment Court in October, after which the company will consult the community.

While investigations continued into night flights up to 10pm at Queenstown Airport, the airport's chief executive says it is "pointless" to engage with the community until such time as the company has satisfied airlines and authorities it can be done.

The terminal expansion at Queenstown Airport doubled international and domestic departure capacity when it opened yesterday, after four months of construction.