The Wānaka Airport Users Group (WAUG) says an independent survey of its members reveals that businesses based at Wānaka Airport generate $69.6M in revenue and employ 147 people in full time positions. 

The survey, conducted over summer, asked all private pilots, aircraft owners and businesses at the airport to confidentially share information about their activities. 

The information released said there are 713 suppliers (many local) providing goods and services to businesses at the airport; the combined annual salary paid by businesses based at Wānaka Airport to local employees is $9.3M; the estimated value of the 65 commercial aircraft based at the airport is $57M; there is a combined total of 1,594 years of flying experience among pilots at Wānaka Airport; and nearly three quarters of the businesses based at the airport are “confidently projecting growth”.

WAUG chair Don Grant said the numbers are indicative of a “vibrant and growing” community of commercial businesses and private users at the airport. 

Inside airport maintenance hangar Twenty24.

“Our community airport has grown over many decades, and has become a vibrant hub for commercial and private aviation,” he said.

“Everyone knows about Warbirds Over Wānaka, which is a fabulous event, but there is also a lot more going on out here every day. 

“It’s clear that the activity at the airport has tangible benefits back into the Wānaka community. As well as all the private aviation, we have a broad range of aviation related businesses, including flight training schools, engineering businesses and other aircraft experts.”

Don said the group wanted to help people understand the scale and value of “what goes on in the hangars” at the airport. 

“On the aircraft maintenance side alone, each year there are hundreds of aircraft maintained by businesses at this airport. There are also hundreds of people who have learnt to fly helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft here.”

The group has launched the survey results and other information on a new website about Wānaka Airport.

It also plans to launch a digital history of Wānaka Airport, dating right back to “the first planes to land here, long before it was an airport”.

The group’s announcement was made just days before the expected release of the newly elected chair of the long-planned Wānaka Airport Liaison Committee. 

Read more: Long process to form airport liaison group still underway

The Wānaka Airport Liaison Committee will have a wide ranging remit for Wānaka Airport that will touch on everything from airport development to environmental effects and will encourage collaboration between agencies.

PHOTOS: Supplied