An urgent review of the Master Plan for Wānaka Airport is among 15 recommendations following an aeronautical study to enhance safety and efficiency at the aerodrome.

The study was conducted by Quality Aviation Consulting at the request of Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and presented to the council at an informal workshop late last year (2023).

“The CAA [Civil Aviation Authority] required council to undertake the study given Wānaka is one of the busiest airports in the country,” QLDC media and channels advisor Sam White said.

The study noted that the last master plan for the airport was prepared in 2008 and needs reviewing to reflect the current mix of operations and the council’s aspirations for the airport, to allow for the expansion of hangars and associated facilities in an orderly and well-planned way.

In October 2023 QLDC advised the Wānaka App that a budget had been allocated for the airport’s master planning in the 2024-2025 financial year.

Read more: Council’s second attempt at Wānaka Airport planning

In the absence of an up-to-date master plan, the study focused on the certification level appropriate to the scheduled operation of Sounds Air’s Pilatus PC12 aircraft (or similar) with a modest increase in daily flights.

Wānaka Airport currently operates as a non-certificated aerodrome and an outcome of the study was a recommendation that it apply for certification as a Qualifying Aerodrome.  

A Qualifying Aerodrome certification only permits scheduled operations of aircraft with 30 passenger seats or fewer.

“There is no concern regarding the airport’s current status,” Sam said. 

“If CAA agrees with the recommendations of the aeronautical study it will also develop a timeline for implementation.”

The study noted that the airport’s operations manual (which details how the airport will operate safely and efficiently) has not been amended since July 1, 2021 and was still in draft form.

Qualifying Aerodrome certification ensures critical safety elements such as competent management, defined policy and processes to address specific areas of risk, a safety management system and safety auditing (including by the CAA) are in place.

Wānaka Airport is managed by Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) on behalf of QLDC. Two Wānaka Airport duty managers manage the day-to-day activity at the airport alongside the Queenstown-based head of operations.

The airport’s 2023-2024 budget anticipates a loss of $186,000.

PHOTO: Supplied