Queenstown Airport Corporation has begun its search for a new chief executive.
Board chairman John Gilks confirmed executive recruitment firm Korn Ferry had been appointed to find a successor to Scott Paterson, who died late last year.
The net is being cast throughout Australasia and beyond.
"We believe it will attract some top people - it's a top job in a top location,'' Mr Gilks said.
"People like to be associated with things that are going well. Queenstown Airport is not only going well now but the outlook for as far as you can see ahead is very positive.''
The resort airport had its busiest year last year, with total passenger movements topping 1.5 million and December was its busiest-ever month.
The airport is in the midst of a $17 million runway and lighting upgrade in preparation for night flights, due to start in July.
Runway widening work - which is on schedule - had been well handled by operations boss Mike Clay, Mr Gilks said.
Chief financial officer Mark Edg-hill has been in charge since Mr Paterson's death.
Mr Gilks said the chief executive's total pay would depend on how the airport was doing - performance-based top-ups could bump up the salary from close to $300,000 to more than $400,000.
