Jim Boult, of Lake Hayes, said on top of the rapid technological change at airports, there were dramatic shifts in world travel trends, due to the steady growth in Asian economies and the potential numbers of travellers to New Zealand.
"The changing age profile of travellers is also resulting in many more older people who will have the time and resource to travel," Mr Boult said.
"The world's airports are adapting to these changes."
Mr Boult said New Zealand airports would play a "vigorous part in providing the best possible passenger experience and work with airline partners to grow visitor arrivals into the country".
He noted the important role of airports in enabling critical air links, facilitating aviation businesses and bringing growth to regional economies.
The incumbent chairman, Auckland International Airport chief executive Simon Moutter, who addressed the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce last month, will stand down because of his appointment as chief executive of Telecom.
Auckland Airport, a high profile sponsor during the Queenstown Winter Festival, controversially bought almost a quarter share of Queenstown Airport for $27.7 million and behind closed doors formed a "strategic alliance" between the airports two years ago.
Mr Moutter's last day with the airport is scheduled to be July 31.
Chief financial officer Simon Robertson will become acting chief executive until a permanent appointment is made.
