More space for private jets will be provided in a $13 million upgrade at Queenstown Airport to be completed by the end of next month.
The construction is being finished in time for the busy winter and an expected increase in private jets during the Rugby World Cup this year.
Work on the apron extension for an extra jet stand, more space for parking private jets and an area for possible expansion of the terminal began last Monday.
Queenstown Airport Corporation commercial manager Simon Barr said part of the reason for the development now was to create extra capacity to handle corporate jets ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Following the apron extension, the airport would be be able to park five or six large and four smaller jets, double the present capacity, he said.
Corporate and private jets are already common visitors to Queenstown. Celebrities to have used them to fly in and out include John Travolta, Robin Williams, Bill Gates, Tiger Woods, Tom Cruise and America's Next Top Model contestants, including some of the judges.
Meanwhile, the $7 million 45m-high infill to create a level runway end safety area, started in February last year, would be finished "within June".
Contractor Fulton Hogan had entered the night construction phase, necessary so flights were not disrupted, Mr Barr said.
The $2 million runway lights project, funded by the Airways Corporation, was also on track to be finished in June, "well ahead" of the October deadline imposed the the Civil Aviation Authority.
The 118 runway lights which will operate this winter, should help reduce the number of flights diverted because of bad weather.
Eventually, the lights would be used to maximise the airport's daylight operations, allowing aircraft to land until 10pm.That, however, was not expected to occur before next winter.
