Car parking problems persist at Queenstown's fast-growing airport.
But the council-owned airport company says it will address the issue, and many more, in a new comprehensive master plan.
Queenstown Airport Corporation issued several warnings on social media in December about its car park being full or near capacity, urging passengers to take public transport.
Acting chief executive Mike Clay said the airport had turned land on Lucas Pl, previously leased by the Wakatipu Aero Club, into a temporary car park.
When it was full, drivers were guided to the overflow car park, where they were issued a permit.
"That was the first time we've ever had to do that.
"In total we only had perhaps as many as 40 cars use it over the summer break.
"But what that meant was that's 40 passengers who didn't have to stress out about missing their flight and it also meant that's 40 cars that didn't have to potentially park on a kerb or on a grass verge somewhere.''
The airport company's use of the former Wakatipu Aero Club site to ease congestion will be a bitter pill for the club's executive, which fought hard to stop the lease being torn up.
The club was eventually allowed to relocate its commercial operation elsewhere on the airfield but its lease expired and its clubrooms were shifted off the site.
Mr Clay, who is usually the general manager of operations, said the airport master plan was in the scoping stage.
"What we want to do is create a master plan that looks right from the air space right through to the airfield, the terminal, the forecourt, car parking and surface access on to the site.''
Later in the year, towards next summer, the company would have an idea of its future car parking requirements, he said.
Some users believe multi-level parking was a necessity for such a constrained site.
But Mr Clay warned multi-level infrastructure was "extremely expensive'' and a park and ride was more likely.
"At this stage I suspect the master plan will be indicating it will still be surface level.''
Car parking has been an ongoing problem at the airport.
Desperate passengers parked on grass verges and yellow lines last March, after the airport did away with a temporary layby.
Mr Clay said the master plan was fundamental to understanding when the airport should extend the terminal or build more jet stands.
The last master plan "would go back a few years'', he said - at a time when no-one would have foreseen the huge growth in passenger volumes.
A 2003 Queenstown Airport master plan predicted total scheduled passenger movements would hit 1.2million this year.
However, total passenger movements in the year to last November were 1.48million.
The airport wants to create a new general aviation precinct to the south.
But its attempts to acquire 16ha, known as lot six, from neighbouring developer Remarkables Park is stalled in the Environment Court.
Earlier this month, the airport celebrated its busiest day with 60 flights - 18 international and 42 domestic - and the prospect is for an even busier airport.
Night flights to the resort are expected to start this winter after a $17million runway and lighting upgrade, which is expected to be completed by early April.
The airport company is 75.01% owned by Queenstown Lakes District Council, and the balance is owned by listed company Auckland International Airport.
