Big Growth Graces New Zealand’s Queenstown Airport: To Open New International Terminal On June 24

New Zealand’s Queenstown Airport may not be big in size but it is turning to be the busiest and the fastest-growing in the country. Welcoming more than 1.3 million visitors a year, this Australasia's fastest-growing airport is set to become the third bigger as it opens the new international terminal on June 24. This is also the day when Queenstown Airport celebrates its 20th anniversary of receiving its first international flight in 1995.

International Gateway

Queenstown Airport Corporation chief executive Scott Paterson described the new facility as a "top-class facility in a world renowned destination" and "strengthen our position as a key regional and international gateway for New Zealand." At present, the airport welcomes 1.38 million visitors a year and international passenger volumes have grown from 24,000 in 2005 to 381,000 in 2015.

In the next 10 years' time, the number of international passengers is expected to increase to more than 6,60,000. Paterson said the new space will put the airport ahead of the curve in terms of accommodating existing and future passenger volumes. He said it also gives huge confidence to handle the new volumes and provide a service level of high quality to inbound and outbound passengers deserved. The new international terminal has been built at a cost of NZ$17 million. The expanded airport has an area of 4,100sq m with new gate lounges, new Customs processing area, expanded airside retail outlets, new baggage carousel and back-of-house handling.

A newly built mezzanine floor allows future developments such as gate lounges, retail space and air bridges. The airport operations team, border protection agencies and airlines have joined the new terminal. By mid-July, the teams of Customs Inspection and MPI Bio-security processing will also move in.

Night Flights

Already the number of International passenger has surged to 28 percent in 2015 until June. With the new facility, a record 22 international flights will arrive or depart within a five-hour window. To tackle, the demands from the new growth, the airport is planning to expand its hours of operation and night flights will be starting by next winter, reports 3 News. "That will help spread capacity and provide a huge base for growth for this airport and this region," says Paterson.

(For feedback/comments, contact the writer at k.kumar@ibtimes.com.au)