The increasing popularity of Wānaka Airport for private and commercial users will see it obtaining a Qualifying Aerodrome Operator Certificate by July 2027 and Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is also taking the first steps towards the Wānaka Airport Future Review.

Starting the process to obtain the certificate is the latest stage in QLDC working collaboratively (as the airport’s owner) with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), QLDC property and infrastructure general manager Tony Avery said.

“Becoming certified will bring the airport into line with similar facilities around the country, improving safety and providing an appropriate level of independent assurance for airport users and our wider community,” he said.

“The alternative – not achieving certification – would restrict activity at the airport to below current levels which would obviously have a negative effect on current users and the local community.”

Tony said Wānaka Airport was expecting more than 50,000 aircraft movements over the next year which makes it one of the busiest uncertified airports in the country.

The certification process follows CAA’s completion of a safety review of Wānaka Airport earlier this year and QLDC’s submission of an aeronautical study in March 2023 at the CAA’s request, Tony said.

QLDC will implement a number of measures before the specified completion date in just under three years’ time, including tree removal, airstrip widening, new fencing to improve safe access to the airstrip, and further improved safety systems.

Tony said council and Wānaka Airport operational staff would continue to communicate changes to airport users in advance and be available to discuss any concerns they might have.

Airport planning ahead

QLDC will also begin a procurement process to seek the independent delivery of the Wānaka Airport Future Review after it was signalled through the Long Term Plan 2024-2035 (LTP) consultation process in July.

Read more: Community groups call for ‘transparent’ airport planning

“The future of the Wānaka Airport is an important topic for the district and it’s essential that the Wānaka-Upper Clutha community is at the heart of shaping it,” QLDC corporate services general manager Meaghan Miller said.

“While in the very early stages, there are many key questions to consider, such as what the community’s vision for the airport is and what technical analysis is required before we consider any potential scenarios for its future,” she said.

“If supported by elected members, this proposed process will involve extensive engagement with key stakeholders, the Wānaka-Upper Clutha community and wider Queenstown Lakes District.” 

The proposed review process will be shared with councillors and the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board at a public workshop on November 12.

Confirmed details for the review and subsequent community engagement will be shared after a consultant has been appointed and a timeline agreed, which is expected by February 2025.

Funding to achieve certification and begin a future review for the airport was included as part of the LTP that was adopted by councillors at their meeting on September 19.

Wānaka Airport is owned by QLDC and Queenstown Airport Corporation manages Wānaka Airport’s day-to-day operations on behalf of QLDC under a management services agreement. 

These management services include noise monitoring, property management, regulatory planning and compliance, and liaising with the airport community on day-to-day matters.

PHOTO: Supplied