Queenstown Airport today welcomed a community-fostered vision to develop Wānaka Airport as a “sustainable aviation hub for the region”.
The vision and recommendations on how to achieve this goal are just some of the findings released as part of the Shaping Our Future Upper Clutha Transport taskforce, which has developed a vision for success for the region’s transport industry looking to 2050 and beyond.
Following a number of sessions in Wānaka with over 120 members of the local community, the taskforce’s final report includes a specific vision for air transport and connectivity.
The vision for air connectivity has been defined as “Wānaka Airport is a destination for high yielding innovative businesses creating a sustainable aviation hub for the region.”
Queenstown Airport Chief Executive Colin Keel supports the initiative saying the taskforce’s vision was “an important part of the community’s input into the future development of Wānaka Airport”.
“We see Wānaka Airport playing a crucial role in the region’s transport connectivity and support the forum’s recommendation to develop Wānaka Airport into a ‘centre for aviation excellence’, which contributes positively to the regional economy.”
“We are currently working with QLDC on a governance model for Wānaka Airport which incorporates feedback from Upper Clutha council representatives and Wānaka Airport users to ensure the needs and wishes of the local community are represented in the future of the airport.”
“We also secured over 150 hectares of land adjacent to Wānaka Airport late last year, future proofing the airport for potential development. As part of our 30-Year Master Plan for Queenstown Airport, we have stated that Wānaka Airport will be developed in a complementary way to Queenstown Airport and we very much see this as the key to the success of our ‘Two Airport, One Airport Company’ strategy.
“The taskforce report is a great piece of work, especially as it’s been driven by members of the local community. It’s given us a good steer on the sentiment of the Upper Clutha community and we look forward to engaging with all communities we serve on the future of Wānaka Airport next year”, added Mr Keel.
To view the full report, download the report from the Shaping Our Future website.
For more information please contact:
Naomi Lindsay | Communications Executive
Wānaka Airport
16 Lloyd Dunn Place | RD2 State Highway 6 Wānaka
T +64 443 1112 | M + 64 21 942 502
E [email protected]
