Queenstown Airport Corporation chief executive Steve Sanderson yesterday distributed a discussion document outlining a proposal to extend the airport's noise boundaries and daily operating hours.
The airport now operates from 6am until 10pm, and under the plan this would be extended by another two hours, but for arrivals only, he said.
The existing noise boundaries in the Queenstown Lakes District Plan, based on noise levels averaged over a 24-hour period and established 13 years ago, were fast becoming obsolete in catering for the airport and region's projected growth, he said.
The airport corporation planned to consult the community before lodging an application for a plan change with the Queenstown Lakes District Council by the end of June.
Mr Sanderson said the proposed plan represented a huge commitment for the airport and would allow for growth in the Australian market.
"We think there'll be more attraction for people to get here for a weekend package [deal]."
Speaking to the Otago Daily Times from a conference in Rotorua yesterday, Destination Queenstown chief executive David Kennedy said the proposed noise plan change was "news" to him, but applauded it as a vital part of the tourist equation in the district.
"Given the growth in the next five years . . . they're going to have to grow the [airport] capacity."
Mr Sanderson said the proposed new boundaries were based on updated noise modelling and designed to accommodate the airport's projected growth of between 4% and 5% to the year 2037, according to present flight figures and aircraft.
In addition to distributing a discussion document outlining the plan to an estimated 800 affected parties, Mr Sanderson gave an assurance that the airport would consult the 22 householders whose dwellings would need sufficient acoustic insulation to meet the proposed noise level boundary requirements.
The corporation also planned to meet a further 16 house owners who would be affected by flight operations between 10pm and midnight.
However, Mr Sanderson declined to say what, if any, financial assistance the corporation would provide for people whose houses might need extra acoustic insulation.
"We'll be talking to the residents to work through these issues."
However, residents in neighbouring McBride St, on the Frankton end of the runway, said they would oppose any extension to the night-time operating hours and wanted the corporation to pay for any additional insulation their houses might need.
Mr Sanderson said he expected the issue to go to the Environment Court.
