The Queenstown Airport Corporation's plans for a new international passenger lounge, with additional airline lounge and bathroom facilities, have been given the go-ahead.
Independent commissioner Jane Sinclair last month approved the resource consent application, which proposes to extend the terminal's international departure holding lounge by 570sq m on the northeast side.
QAC aeronautical general manager Simon Barr said the ground floor extension would provide room for additional security screening lanes and immigration booths "so people will be able to get through there more efficiently and there will be more capacity".
Construction was planned to start before Easter, and Mr Barr hoped to have the three-stage project completed by mid-September.
The first-floor airline lounge extension will be 170sq m, reaching a height of about 7.5m, the exterior dominated by windows.
Cladding will match the existing frontage of the terminal.
Mr Barr said an Air New Zealand Koru Club lounge might be part of the mezzanine floor expansion, but he could not confirm that at this stage.
The number of passengers using the airport is expected to continue based on January's record numbers, with 33 international flights a week scheduled this winter, up from 29 last year.
A 170sq m washroom extension, including a new tenancy, will be added to the southwest portion of the building, in addition to the refurbishment and expansion of the main toilet block near the cafeteria.
The general manager said the extension was not only because of the predicted increase in passenger numbers, but also to keep the terminal in line with QAC's long-term plan.
