02 May 2019

Will Wanaka Expansion Happen???


After almost a year of rumour and speculation, Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) has finally revealed significant details for Wanaka Airport. Fears that jet planes will be landing in Wanaka have been confirmed as QAC released a statement saying “we are planning to develop a regional airport at Wanaka that will support scheduled domestic services using turbo-prop (Q300 and ATR) and narrow-body jet (A320/21 and B737) aircraft beginning with about a handful of such services and for several years thereafter.” QAC went on to state; “We are not planning to accommodate wide-body aircraft or a large international airport at Wanaka Airport.” First impressions on this statement is that Wanaka Airport would therefore just be a domestic airport, but the keyword in the above sentence was “large”. Naomi Lindsay, communications manager for QAC says “Large equals wide-bodied jets which opens up a whole different market,” but it doesn't preclude narrow-body jet planes from international airports. Lindsay goes on to say, “Based on natural demand over time we would look at Trans Tasman narrow-body services which may start much like Queenstown did with the odd charter flight for the ski season.” Based on how the ‘odd charter flight for the ski season' has morphed into a behemoth over the years in Queenstown, the same could reasonably be expected of Wanaka, and that's precisely what opponents are fighting. Michael Ross from the Wanaka Stakeholders Group (WSG) says, “We feel shocked seeing the proposed plans in the cold light of day. Is this the end of Wanaka as we know it? Most of all we feel totally betrayed by our local council who appear hell bent on a growth agenda which their community is clearly opposed to.” QAC said they are developing a dual airport model for Queenstown and Wanaka airports however “Given the detailed planning and construction required, it is unlikely that scheduled domestic services would begin at Wanaka Airport before 2025. We plan to continue to enable the diverse general aviation activities and events currently at Wanaka Airport.” Ross says “The WSG fails to see how an investment of this size (reportedly $400million) could be funded by a ‘handful of flights.' This does not make economic sense in terms of an infrastructure investment of this size—even a long-term one such as an airport. Who is going to fund the under-utilisation of this investment?” “Our only possible assumption for such a significant investment is that restrictions in and around ZQN will ultimately be serviced by additional flights/visitors coming in through Wanaka to feed visitors through to their ultimate destination at Queenstown,” said Ross. “[And] if the length of the runway is to be 1900 metres—including regulation runway end safety areas (RESAs)—then this would make Wanaka's runway longer than Queenstown. This could make Wanaka a more attractive and safer place to land—which in turn may influence airlines, pilots and indeed the customers who fly into this region. What does that mean for Wanaka's future? Could Wanaka surpass Queenstown as the main airport destination for the region?” Ross questions QAC's approach to organic growth based on the odd charger flight. “As soon as you have a 1900 metre runway it becomes the same as ZQN—so in ten years time we are truly going to be looking like Queenstown 2.0.” The role of council in the latest announcement is also under the spotlight. On previous occasions Mayor Boult had given assurances the airport expansion would only be domestic. So the change in QAC's agenda may have even blindsided him, or he knew all along, or there is internal tension between QAC and its majority stakeholder, QLDC. When The Wanaka Sun asked Mayor Boult whether he had been blindsided about the announcement to go international, he said “As far as I am concerned the priority and focus for the development of Wānaka is to provide valuable regional services for the Upper Clutha, and this reflects the discussions that have been held with QAC representatives. It's important to remember that QAC is still in the planning process and therefore will continue exploring a variety of concepts until a draft plan is put to the community and stakeholders for feedback. My wish, however, remains seeing domestic services for the local market improving links for both businesses and community needs.” The WSG is now an incorporated society and are soon to launch their website and enable individuals to join the organisation. They will be launching a membership drive and commencing fundraising so they can then formally challenge these proposals. “After all, who is wanting all this?” asks Ross. “Not all the community—it's simply profit-motivated corporate activity for and on behalf of non-resident companies who aren't even based here or pay rates!” QAC have also released details of future workshops, consultations, lunches and online discussions to which all members of the public are invited. QAC said, “We encourage you to register on our online forum our.wanakaairport.com.”

9 comments:

  1. Surely Air NZ doesn't want another jet port so close to Queenstown, and if Air NZ doesn't buy in then it won't happen.

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    1. Thing is, Air New Zealand are one of many that are behind it/a solution to the max capacity that Queenstown is now at...
      The whole point is to either share the load with Queenstown airport or to build a completly new airport near Queenstown be it Air NZ preferred site at Maori point (I struggled to see how that would have worked with the terrain) or a site near Lumsden and all but create an combined Southland/Otago airport that would probaly handle almost widebody aircraft.... Or the twin Wanaka/Queenstown airport that would load share and a option that Air NZ would support if it came down to it... Which would make sense in a business sense. If you are making a killing at an area and your business models are telling you that you could easily fly/provide at a frequency that would all but be, inbetween a Gisboune/Rotorua equivalent airport... Or have it as one International and the other as domestic... (That would have to be a word first/record... an airport that basically has the longest distance between domestic and international terminal!!!)

      One wonders if Queenstown airport had no land/terrain restrictions, an infinite budget and the resources/infrastructure....

      One wonders what potential could Queenstown reach with the demand for the area??? Could Queenstown break all records for an airport/population size, operating long haul/widebody flights???

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    2. In a nutshell bro.
      With what Air NZ now stands up for, regards conservation, scenery and with the likes of the local community/council and what they have to say. Also with the huge amount of money in tourism at stake. It is just simply one that they no control over... be it their preferred 'new build airport option or this Twin airport idea...

      Air NZ has really no option, no final say or final ultimation at the end of the day...

      If Queenstown is at max capacity and you have a 'second airport' amount of demand behind you... (got to remember that there are three other airlines involved, along with all the GA/tourism aircraft and the growing biz jet operations...) and around the corner you have Wanaka airport and with it, it has all the capacity to cater for anything you operate Q300-A321... Air nz along with Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar, Tiger and biz jets.. Wanaka will have to do... Or you start operating flights to invercargill or Dunedin and bus them to Queenstown

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  3. Hahaha!!! Funny how there is such a thing of...

    "too much of a good thing"

    Since Eagle pulled out of Wanaka. I could imagine there were some gutted locals who wanted a link to a main centre and along with that whole "lose your national airline" mentality... along with us "aviation lovers" who wanted to tick off all the airports air nz flew to....

    But WOW.....

    Going from basically a GA aerodrome to a full service and potentially A320 Domestic/international airport...... All within a blink of an eye 'almost' in terms of airport evolution!!!

    Imagine all of those who were disgruntled with eagle air aka "Air NZ" pulling out of Wanaka...
    Queenstown is full... We have decided to come back to Wanaka but guess what... Instead of the Q300 or ATR and connecting you back up to A... A network be it Wellington or Chch...... We will bring jets and connect you up to Auckland...
    Ahh F#@k it!!!
    We will connect you up to the rest of the world😀😀 Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane etc

    You have to ask though... why havnt the likes of Sounds or Chats contemplated a niche seasonal service....??
    A likes of a well marketed promotion along with some motels for the ski season??? Surely there has to be some $$$ to be made....

    Air Chats have always had a handful of 'spare' Convairs/metros/Saabs parked up at Auckland that were basically dedicated for charter flights.... Along with the current aircraft including ATR that have spare time inbetween... Whakatane/Kapiti/Whanganui/TUCK tours services.... It's a wonder that Air chats havnt flown or organised say, A Auckland to Wanaka service during the height of the ski season. Put a range of cheap book now to the more expensive last min tickets... Along with some extensive marketing at backpackers in Auckland and try to tap into the Aussie/overseas market via Auckland..... Offering an alternative service to Queenstown that has all but the same activities on offer...

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  4. Why leave the rat race Auckland and go to another Rat race... Queenstown...???

    With Air Chathams... We are now offering a warm and friendly service as you step back in time onboard our comfy and spacious Convair (we might even go completly retro and bring out the DC3!) as we fly you to a more quiet/peaceful alternative Winter playground destination...

    WANAKA...
    Or...
    AORAKI/Mount Cook

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    1. Hokitika WatcherMay 06, 2019 9:41 AM

      or ... HOKITIKA. Westland is the warmest part of the South island in winter with long periods of clear, sunny weather, untamed natural wilderness, Maori and Pakeha cultural heritage attractions, a wide variety of artisans, adventure activities (including high level skiing), plenty of accommodation in winter. Can also see Aoraki / Mt Cook from sea level to top as well as access most of the Southern Alps.

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    2. Well yeah! That is so true!!! Although Air NZ is still operating...

      From a point Steve made regards Air NZ schedule at his home town...

      One wonders if there is a future there with Air NZ and Hoki... are they staying because they sorta feel obliged (community backlash) being their last West coast connection....
      Sounds air would be the natural taker being their scope of influence but I don't see sounds having the same service/price offers that Air chats could offer with their bigger aircraft. But with no base/hub (ChCh/Well) so to speak for Air Chats, there would have to be some cost lost in fleet repositioning from Auckland say if an aircraft goes mechanical or fluctuating numbers vs 19 seat 30 seat or 50 seat....
      But with the new PC12 Sounds are investing in "frequency increase...." One wonders if there is something popping up in the future????

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  5. The Queenstown and/or Wanaka airport expansion/s is short term planning, driven greed by vested business interests and by Air NZ wanting to fly A321neo's in/out of the region. The reality is, Queenstown is reached its tourism capacity and Wanaka is 50% there to maximum tourist capacity.

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