Seeing the lights

Television weatherman and pilot Jim Hickey (foreground), Jetstar Group chief executive Bruce Buchanan (centre) and Queenstown Airport Corporation chief executive Steve Sanderson admire the airport's 124 new runway lights from the control tower.

Mr Hickey, who broadcast the TV One weather bulletin from the resort, officially switched on the $2 million network, on Wednesday night.

Mr Sanderson said the lights, funded by Airways New Zealand would minimise disruption, enhance safety and enable Queenstown visitors to arrive and depart in the evenings, instead of losing holiday time travelling during daylight.