Preferred operating scenario recommended for Wānaka Airport

An independent future review of Wānaka Airport recommends it retains a focus on general aviation, while allowing limited regional air connectivity, following extensive community engagement over the past year.

A report outlining the findings of the independent review, undertaken by aviation consultants Egis, recommends a preferred scenario and options for next steps. The report and its recommendations will be considered by the full Council at its meeting on Thursday 19 March 2026. 

Queenstown Lakes District Council Strategic Projects Manager Paul Speedy said Egis determined a preferred community outcome, being scenario 3, which would see Wānaka Airport continue to support aviation activity and emergency and medical services, while enabling limited scheduled turboprop services using aircraft of up to 30 seats.

“The review highlighted significant opportunities to improve the facility’s ability to respond to emergencies, support emerging low-emission aviation, and unlock new community and economic benefits through carefully planned, non-aviation land use at the airport,” said Mr Speedy.

“Those opportunities align with feedback from more than 1,100 people that took part in the review, which showed a clear preference for a low‑impact, community‑oriented airport that supports local needs, while boosting the airport’s role in emergency response and resilience.”

Opportunities to support local aviation businesses and training were also widely supported, without enabling large‑scale growth or major infrastructure expansion.

Larger domestic aircraft movements, international flights, or an airport closure were all opposed as potential scenarios during the review, largely due to concerns about increased tourism pressure, infrastructure expansion, and impacts on airspace users.

Mr Speedy said the preferred scenario responds to community concern about the environmental, amenity, and airspace impacts associated with operating larger aircraft and would mean the work already underway to meet mandatory Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Part 139 safety and operational requirements would meet the needs of any future activity proposed for the facility.

If adopted on Thursday, Council officers will report back on options for developing a revised Wānaka Airport Master Plan. Continued community involvement would form a key part of that process.

The Wānaka Airport Future Review was commissioned in 2024 in response to significant community interest in Wānaka Airport’s long‑term direction, upcoming CAA compliance requirements, and the need for a new airport master plan. It included technical and economic assessments alongside an extensive two‑phase community engagement programme.

ENDS | KUA MUTU.

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FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri:

Covering Report - Wānaka Airport Future Review – Independent Consultant Report (Egis) and Preferred Scenario

Wānaka Airport Future Review – Community Engagement Results and Recommendations (Egis)

Scenarios tested as part of the Wānaka Airport Future Review:

• Scenario 1: Close Wānaka Airport
  Would permanently close the airport and end all aviation activity.

• Scenario 2: General Aviation Only
  Maintains the airport as a general aviation–only facility with no scheduled passenger services.

• Scenario 3: General Aviation with Limited Scheduled Services (≤30 seats)
  Keeps Wānaka Airport focused on general aviation while enabling small scheduled flights to Christchurch (and potentially Wellington).  It requires no major airside upgrades and has the strongest community support.

• Scenario 4: Introduce larger domestic routes
  This would introduce larger turboprop aircraft (Q300/ATR) and enable potential Auckland services.

• Scenario 5: International Airport
  Would convert Wānaka to an international‐capable airport supporting trans‐Tasman routes.

• Scenario 6: Do nothing /retain the status quo
  No preferred scenario adopted; airport continues operating under current arrangements.