Air New Zealand and airline body keen on Tarras airport proposal

Air New Zealand says Queenstown Airport’s infrastructure is insufficient for long-term growth and a proposal to build a new international airport in Central Otago “deserves consideration”. And the Board of Airline Representatives (Barnz), which represents most airlines operating in New Zealand, has given the proposal “an initial green light” saying airlines will be able to “fill every flight” into the region. On Wednesday Christchurch International Airport said it planned to build a new international airport on 750 hectares near the small town of Tarras in Central Otago – about one-hour’s drive from the existing Queenstown Airport and five hours drive from Christchurch. Christchurch Airport, which is 75% owned by Christchurch City Council and 25% owned by the Government, has already spent $45m on the project – which included buying land next to State Highway 8 and 8A. The airport plan includes starting with a 2.2 kilometre runway, long enough for A320 jets but not long enough for larger long-haul jets such as Boeing 777 or Airbus A380.<br/>