About 160,000 passengers are scheduled to travel through Queenstown Airport between tomorrow (Wednesday December 15) and January 14, Queenstown Airport has announced.

Domestic travellers from Auckland are able to fly from midnight today (Tuesday December 14).

On Wednesday there will have been 117 days without an Auckland flight, and Queenstown Airport CEO Glen Sowry said he was thrilled to welcome flights and passengers back from up north.

“Reconnecting with Auckland, our biggest domestic market, is definitely an important step in our region’s recovery,” he said.

"From Wednesday we are expecting about three times as many daily flights compared to the last few months without Auckland flights."

Peak days will be Christmas Eve, which has 46 flights scheduled to arrive and depart, and January 2, which has 45 flights scheduled.

“About 160,000 passengers will travel through Queenstown Airport between 15 December and 14 January, including locals heading away for a break and visitors coming to enjoy this stunning part of the world,” Glen said.

He said the airport has taken steps to ensure it is prepared, including regularly screening staff (using rapid antigen testing) and elevated cleaning and hygiene protocols throughout the terminal.

“We are implementing a vaccination policy for our staff and contractors. Covid-19 vaccination rates across the whole airport campus are very high,” he said.

People travelling out of Queenstown are encouraged to arrive at the airport at least 60 minutes prior to departure to allow time to check in and go through screening.

The airport is operating under the Orange setting of the ‘traffic light’ system and following Ministry of Transport guidelines for airport terminals. Everyone entering the terminal is required to sign in or scan in on the Covid Tracer app, and face coverings are required in terminal and on flights for those aged over 12 years old.

You will not be required to show your vaccine passport to enter the terminal but some food and beverage and retail outlets may require it. Air New Zealand will require passengers to provide proof of vaccine or a negative test. Find more information here.

PHOTO: Supplied