Christchurch International Airport (CIAL) hasn’t explained why the South Island needs a fifth airport, Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) says.

QAC chief executive Glen Sowry has made a public statement in response to an aeronautical assessment released by Christchurch Airport (CIAL) last week which showed its proposed Tarras airport site could support a runway up to three kilometres long.

CIAL revealed plans in July 2020 to develop a jet-capable airport on 750ha of land at Tarras, after the company had spent $45M purchasing land bordered by State Highway 8 and 8A.

The aeronautical assessment contains two proposed runway alignments, one of which has a flight path towards Hāwea Flat, just 22km away. Both runway alignments enabled aircraft to connect to existing flight paths, according to the assessment.

Read more: Proposed Tarras airport could accommodate jets from Australia and Pacific

A three kilometre runway would support short-haul international flights from Australia and the Pacific.

“We have reviewed with interest the preliminary aeronautical assessment that Christchurch Airport has prepared for their proposal to build a new airport in the region,” Glen said.

CIAL says it has confidence to undertake the next stage of assessment at Tarras.

“The rationale for a fifth airport in a region that is well served by four existing airports, is yet to be established.”

Glen said QAC had enough capacity for the region.

“Queenstown Airport is well positioned to continue to meet the region’s domestic and trans-Tasman travel needs for locals and visitors alike.”

Stop Central Otago Airport (SCOA), a group set up in opposition to Tarras Airport, says CIAL does not understand what the local community wants.

“We don't need more jets, and we don't want airport companies (from Christchurch, Queenstown or anywhere else) making decisions about our future which are incompatible with what the community wants,” SCOA spokesperson Zella Downing said.

“If Christchurch Airport think they can airbrush this through with nice graphics and talk of ‘great opportunities’ for the district, they don't understand the community we have here, and they are wrong.”

Zella said airport development would be “a disaster for our communities” whether the runway ends up aligning toward Hāwea or not.

Find more information on CIAL’s website.

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