ZQN news ISSUE 34 / DECEMBER 2017

Celebrating a year of milestones

As we head towards the Christmas provide real-time parking information. It’s season, it feels timely to take a our hope this will eventually become part of moment to reflect on this year’s a technologically linked up transport system achievements and the outlook for across the district. the year ahead. We continue to work with our Regional Transport Governance Group partners QLDC, The introduction of after-dark flights by Air NZTA and ORC to make inroads (pardon the New Zealand and last year marked a pun!) into local transport issues, particularly step-change for the airport as we moved to around Frankton. Collective runs on the double-shift operations. This winter, another board this year have included the removal milestone was reached as Qantas and Virgin of cars from SH6, double laning SH6 at the Australia became certified to operate after- Frankton roundabout, the opening of Stage dark flights. 1 of Hawthorne Drive, launching the airport Queenstown-based legal and commercial specialist Prue Flacks & As a result, the airport community has Park and Ride trial and introducing the $2 planning specialist Adrienne Young-Cooper join the board doubled over the past 18 months, growing bus service. We are now just days away from 350 staff to a 700-strong team across from the opening of Stage 2 of Hawthorne Last month, we said goodbye to two of 60 businesses. We’re delighted to have Drive and the new Kawarau Falls bridge will our longstanding directors John Gilks and all four airlines on board and I’d like to be open one-way from 17 December to 8 James Hadley who retired from the airport sincerely thank them and the whole airport January, opening fully in April 2018. board of directors. John and James have community for their hard work in making provided valuable leadership and a huge The airport’s 30 Year Master Plan has been after-dark flights a success. contribution during a period of rapid growth a key focus this year as well and in August and challenges. On behalf of the airport Other initiatives in the key areas of safety we hit the road to share our thinking to community, I thank them for their support performance, operational resilience and date. The feedback we’ve received locally, and dedication over many years – they will the end-to-end customer experience have regionally and nationally will form a critical be missed. included grooving the runway, upgrading part of our thinking and we thank everyone the car parking and roading infrastructure, for taking the time to help us shape the We’re also very pleased to welcome our introducing more retail and food/beverage airport’s future. Next year we’ll continue to new directors, Queenstown-based legal offerings and constructing a new adaptable evaluate the Master Plan options and work and commercial specialist Prue Flacks, who building to house the QAC operations on unlocking constraints which include our has replaced John as chair, and planning team, as well as a dedicated emergency land and noise boundaries and destination specialist Adrienne Young-Cooper. Please operations centre (called “the Hub”). infrastructure issues. visit the QAC website to view their profiles. The connection between the airport and In the meantime, we continue to be Finally, I’d like to thank you all for your the communities we serve has been a focussed on the immediate needs of our support this year and wish you and your significant focus during the past year. Car customers and airport community. This families a very Merry Christmas and a parking capacity has increased by almost month we’re on track to mark another terrific New Year ahead. 70% as we re-introduced the P2 drop-off milestone in the airport’s history as Take care and stay safe. zone, launched Park and Ride, expanded we reach 2 million annual passenger the staff car park and installed a new movements, and in the new year we’ll coach park and roundabout. Investments commence the final airfield upgrade (apron in new technology have also improved overlay) and a full rollout of our new the customer experience with ‘Tap & Go’ wayfinding signage. We will also be making payments in the terminal car parks and changes that address key customer and Colin Keel ‘RFID’ for commercial operators. We are staff pinch points around the terminal and Chief Executive now installing sensor technology which will connecting areas.

An update from Top Tips for Summer Travel 1 Bus to Fly $2 Queenstown buses are here - #BetterByBus

The face of public transport in Queenstown changed last month, with the launch of Orbus Queenstown, the new $2 bus network. Providing a modern, affordable and efficient transport solution designed to meet the needs of both locals and visitors, the new $2 bus system is part of a wider co-ordinated plan between Otago Regional Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council, the NZ Transport Agency and Queenstown Airport to address transportation issues in the greater Queenstown area. This is very much Phase 1 of the plan and we are proud to be supporting the initiative as part of the regional transport group. Sign up to the new Orbus Queenstown Facebook page for updates. www.facebook.com/OrbusQT

on new providers, increasing the travel Visit the website www.nzta.govt. 2 Choice options and accessibility of Queenstown, nz/choice or download the app at The Choice is yours! making it a great place to live, work and play. Google Play or the App Store.

Queenstown is home to the world’s first, real time, transport options app called Choice.

Choice connects you Use Choice to compare, in real time, which with Queenstown’s travel options are best for any travel in and Ride the bus for great transport$2 options! around Queenstown. From buses, taxis, shuttles and ride-shares to all your transport options are in one place. This app will continue to improve as it brings can show you how.

3 Park and Ride 4 Stay Informed 5 Plan Ahead

The Airport Park and Ride has plenty of Plan your journey around the region this Make sure you leave plenty of time for car parking spaces. If you’re travelling summer using the NZTA’s online journey your flight, consider all your transport here from around the region, it’s an planner and webcams at options and keep an eye on the airport affordable, convenient transport option. www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz. website for any important information including delays. Located on Brookes Road, behind Mitre The AA’s road watch service is also handy to www.queenstownairport.co.nz 10 Mega. find out about accidents and road closures www.aa.co.nz/travel/roadwatch Jetstar WLG-ZQN returns Jetstar has announced it will operate a service between Wellington and Queenstown three times a week from March next year, providing travellers with a choice on the route for the first time since 2013. The airline will operate an Airbus A320 from the capital on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, departing Wellington at 8:35am and returning from Queenstown at 10:25am. Jetstar Head of New Zealand Daniel Banens said Queenstown was a world-class destination and the airline was delighted to be back on the route. “We’ve worked closely with Wellington and Queenstown airports to identify customer demand and we’re looking forward to providing a low fares option on the route ahead of the 2018 ski season, ”Mr Banens said. Queenstown Airport Chief Executive, Colin Keel, welcomed the return of the service saying it provided improved direct connectivity between two major destinations within New Zealand. “We’re delighted that this link is being reintroduced into Jetstar’s domestic network and thank them for their support of the region.”

ZQN news DECEMBER 2017 Our first apron code of conduct was launched SAFETY ! MATTERS

From checking our driving speed airside Airport Safety to looking after our mental health and Week 2017 being more drone aware, the initiative brought the airport communities Thanks to everyone from the together to focus on airport safety. Queenstown and communities who turned out for the We’d love your feedback/thoughts for annual Airport Safety Week activities. next year, so please get in touch.

Chinese Microsite

We recently launched a microsite designed to assist Chinese-speaking visitors to more easily access important travel information online. The site provides detail in Simplified Chinese about flights, transport options and terminal information as well as entry into New Zealand, quarantine and security procedures. It works seamlessly across all mobile, tablet and desktop devices. Check it out here www.queenstownairport.co.nz/cn New Chinese microsite is up and running

Sense October passenger of Space numbers New sensor technology is being installed for summer, providing Total +15% passengers customers with real-time availability of car parking spaces at the terminal. Domestic Once fully tested, the +17% passengers sensors will stream the available car spaces to a digital sign at the International entrance of the airport +9% passengers and to Queenstown Airport’s website. View all airport stats at queenstownairport.co.nz/stats

Real-time parking availability will soon be available Customer Experience

By now you will have seen Olivia Olivia’s also responsible for all business Pierre around the terminal and activities and relationships related to hopefully have had time to say hi. aeronautical revenue (landing charges, route development, etc.) and non- As our new General Manager, Commercial aeronautical revenue (ground leases, and Customer Experience, Olivia will parking, ground transport, rental cars, have primary accountability for defining retail, etc.). Welcome Olivia! and nurturing the end-to-end customer experience, working with key stakeholders to ensure airport visitors have a positive and memorable experience. Olivia Pierre joins the leadership team

Meet Chris Woods

While ’s fleet proudly Chris re-joined Air New Zealand in 2014 displays the national colours of black as an Operations Manager at Christchurch and white, it’s the striking red and Airport before becoming Passenger Services black of Canterbury that adorn Chris Manager in 2015, and was Acting Airport Woods’ office wall here at ZQN. Manager for a while earlier this year. Christchurch born and bred, Chris is a proud “It was with a heavy heart I left Air New Cantabrian and Crusaders supporter and Zealand initially, so it’s really great to be while he feels “very much at home already” back and part of such an exciting and in his new role as Air New Zealand Airport innovative company under the leadership of Manager at Queenstown Airport, Chris isn’t Christopher Luxon.” converting to Otago blue anytime soon. So what’s his career highlight so far? Joining the team here in Queenstown in “I’d have to say the most rewarding October, Chris has worked in the airline Chris Woods moment has been the move to Queenstown industry for over 17 years, starting out as Airport. Everyone in the community here the mail boy/data entry clerk in Air New has been so friendly and welcoming. Zealand’s Loyalty team. Along with increased passenger growth at I was warned you guys were friendly, but ZQN, Air New Zealand is also going through Fast forward those 17 years, via many wow I have been blown away with people a period of growth and part of Chris’ role countries and aviation roles, Chris is stopping me to say hi and wish me luck.” is to take Queenstown Airport to the “next relishing the opportunity to be a part of one “I have also been impressed with the strong level”. of NZ’s fastest growing airports. work ethic within the various agencies “With 120 permanent staff now here in In 2004 Chris joined Emirates at Christchurch and QAC, all working together towards Queenstown, we’re no longer a small port. Airport, launching Christchurch as a new a common goal. It’s something very The next largest airport to us in the regions station and gaining work experience in special indeed and I’m looking forward to is Nelson with 67 staff, so things have Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore and other continuing to work together,” says Chris. changed from when it used to be seasonally far-flung places of the UAE. In contrast, some of Chris’ challenging driven. We are fully-staffed year-round.” After four years he joined Pacific Blue (now times, understandably, came during the “Queenstown’s now entering a different Virgin Australia) as a Ground Operations Christchurch earthquakes. sphere on our Air NZ solar system, so we’re Support Manager, managing nine airports “They were some pretty awful times, being working towards taking our local processes across New Zealand, Australia and the South constantly thrown around with tremors and to another level, incorporating them into the Pacific. aftershocks and we learnt very quickly and wider network which will facilitate and aid “Flying regularly to Fiji during our Winter on our feet how to cope. One positive take- growth”, says Chris. months was certainly a highlight,” says out was that airlines stepped up and as well So could he ever see himself cheering for Chris. as getting customers to where they needed Otago? “No way, not at all. I am Cantab to be, had a significant focus on the safety However working at Honiara International through-and-through”. Oh well you can’t and wellbeing of their people,” notes Chris. Airport in the Solomon Islands was a little have it all. Really great to have you as part “interesting”, with “lapse safety and a “It was very tough mentally.” of the team here at ZQN Chris. number of characters to deal with”.

ZQN news DECEMBER 2017 A very furry Christmas

Once again, the real stars of struggle to survive in today’s disposable Queenstown Airport have stolen the culture. They make a great gift and will limelight with the launch of the annual be available to purchase in-terminal on 15 Aviation Security Christmas calendar. December or from the AVSEC office at the The calendars are a fundraiser for the airport. Dean, Sarah and Amon are proud ‘Helping You Help Animals’ charity handlers of Pippa, Bruce and Kye who (HUHA), dedicated to teaching empathy represent ZQN in this year’s edition, and to the community and providing shelter Pippa even made the front cover for the for those less fortunate animals that first time.

Caffeine Pop-up

The new Allpress coffee cart is here until 30 April, serving Allpress coffee from their funky silver caravan in the airport’s forecourt area on the grass. Welcome to the community Anna and team!

Wall-to-wall champagne Aerocare Lagardere Duty Free has installed a new Veuve Clicquot, Don Perignon and Moet & In addition to contracting its champagne feature wall to celebrate all Chandon bottles, including limited editions, services to Jetstar, Aerocare is things bubbly this summer. With tailor-made are now available in the International now the ground handler for Virgin cabinetry, coloured LED lighting, detailing Arrivals Duty Free. Australia flights in New Zealand, and custom features, three of the world’s including Queenstown, effective top champagne brands are on display. from 2 December.

Welcome to ZQN

We recently welcomed Milford Flights’ 13-seater Caravan ZK-MCI and Air Milford’s 10-seater Cessna Caravan, with Garmin G1000 NXi integrated flight deck, to the ZQN General Aviation community with both receiving the Rescue Fire water arch welcome. Over The Top also unveiled its new twin- engine BK117 helicopter, adding to its fleet of premium helicopters just ahead of the busy summer season. The nine-passenger seat helicopter is instantly recognisable with Over The Top’s sophisticated and black- charcoal livery, and is the largest helicopter permanently based in Queenstown Team Effort

Helping Rescue Fire’s Doug Mckay, who is also Chief Education Fire Officer for Queenstown Fire Service, knew Hands he could turn to the airport community for Programme a helping hand for a recent event. Air New Every year QAC and various airport Vanessa Watson from our Ops team, who Zealand Customer Service Agents, Ashleigh community businesses are proud to oversees our education programme, has and Katie, and Team Leader Customer Service, support the Branches Trust Student been busy over the last few months hosting Jo stepped-up to help at the annual awards Work Day, a fundraiser for Wakatipu numerous student and youth groups at the dinner last month, giving up their time to High School Year 10 students. airport. We love showing people in the man the bar for the night to ensure the 150+ community what happens here at ZQN. Branches Camp is an annual “rite of passage” volunteers and family were well cared for. There’s always something going on. for the Year 10s. It’s the longest running Great team work! secondary school outdoor education camp in NZ, having started 50 years ago, and its Air Scouts goal is to promote, foster and support the development of young men and women in The Cromwell Air Scouts paid us a visit last the Wakatipu community. month and had a detailed visit looking at how the MPI team look for foreign objects and Huge thanks to the airport businesses who protect our borders. They even brought out took part with us this year - Remarkables the dogs to help them out. Other highlights Sweet Shop, Patagonia, Airspresso - and to the included testing their strength with Rescue students for their helping hand. Fire’s water hose and having their bags scanned by Avsec to learn how they identify potential hazards. Thanks for coming guys. Colin Keel helping raise funds for Pink Ribbon Pink Ribbon fundraising

QAC Chief Executive Colin Keel and Duty Manager Andi Rapley wasted no time getting in the pink for October’s Pink Ribbon Fundraising initiative. Andi and Colin spent a few hours collecting for the cause outside Wakatipu New World, making new friends – of the furry variety – along the way. Great Helena Kennedy and Daniele Tapper working hard at Patagonia work guys. Movember Rain

SIT Visit

Eight students from SIT in Invercargill came It was raining Mos last month as QAC’s Ops What a fantastic effort from both teams - to ZQN for a Career Day. They met with team went head-to-head with Jucy rentals to time to shave them off now? representatives from Qantas, MPI, Europcar, vie for the title of Queenstown Airport’s ‘Best And the winners are: Glenorchy Air and Queenstown Airport Mo’ 2017. Thanks to Andrew from Ops for Operations to find out about all the different • Man of Movember – Josh ‘Luigi’ Pearce organising the troops to show support, raise • Lame Mo – Jucy’s Liam McNamara businesses and roles needed to ensure an awareness and funds for men’s health issues • Most impressive Team was awarded to airport runs safely and smoothly. We hope as part of the global Movember campaign. QAC Ops it helps them make decisions about their The teams raised over $2,500 for the cause. future careers.

ZQN news DECEMBER 2017 The Hub is open

As well as being the Emergency Operations Centre – or EOC for short- it houses a new dedicated Operations Centre, Operations Control room, training room and offices, all under one roof. The movement of essential airport operations services into The Hub has released much-needed space in-terminal for use by border agencies, who are also expanding as part of the airport’s continued growth. Accessed via the rental car park with secure access on the airside frontage, the landside location ensures easy access for non-security cleared personnel to the EOC should this be activated. The Hub is also now the check-in point for all contractors and suppliers working at the airport.

For more information and pricing please reusing the old screens in new locations. Flight contact our advertising agency QMS Media The new screen designs and layout also or visit www.qmsmedia.co.nz. align with our new wayfinding signage and provides a simplified, more effective and The upgrade will enable us to increase the information seamless customer experience. number of screens around the airport by re-vamp

In the new year our Flight Information Display Systems (FIDS) will undergo a re-vamp, with larger screens, more locations and a cleaner, sharper design in Arrivals, Departures, Baggage Reclaim, Check-in and Gates. A key feature will be the new state-of- the-art doublesided screens in the main terminal concourse. Spanning 6m wide x 1.7m high, these are the highest quality screens available in NZ and are not only more visible, they also provide additional opportunities for advertising.

The survey will help MBIE understand the Airport and Airways are working with the Airborne geology of the area, including mineral survey operators to manage all aircraft in deposits, earthquake fault lines, soil types the surrounding airspace. and water resources. Flights will operate For more info please visit from December until April 2018 and the Survey www.nzpam.govt.nz or aircraft are expected to only spend a short phone Thomson Aviation at MBIE is completing an aeromagnetic time over any given location but may 021 269 6870. survey from December until April do several passes. The flights are only 2018, which will see a number of permitted to operate during daylight hours low-flying helicopters (around 35m and are subject to the rules and regulations above the ground) travelling up and of the Civil Aviation Authority. Queenstown down the district. WKA news ISSUE 34 / DECEMBER 2017

New User Group Chair

Sue Telford started her GA journey aged just 18

Experienced GA pilot Sue Telford has been A commercial pilot and instructor working appointed the new Chair of the Wanaka in Wanaka for Classic Flights, Sue is a strong Supporting Airport User Group, representing the GA advocate for getting young pilots into the community in Wanaka. GA industry and a big supporter of the New Sustainability Zealand Association for Women in Aviation Sue’s flying career started at just 18 when In-keeping with our guiding principles, (NZAWA). Sue’s looking forward to working her then boss took her and some colleagues it was a privilege to sponsor the with the airport community and QAC over the for a wee trial flight around Kapiti. After Outstanding in Sustainability category at next year as we engage with the community taking the controls for a while, Sue got the the 2017 Ignite Wanaka Business Awards. on the future of Wanaka Airport. Great to bug and has spent her life flying in the world Colin Keel and Olivia Pierre attended have you at the helm Sue. of General Aviation. the event at Rippon Hall to celebrate business in Wanaka and presented Eastwood Environmental Painting with Future of Air the award. The Upper Clutha Transport Queenstown Airport Chief Executive Colin Taskforce has released its vision Keel says the taskforce’s vision is “an for success for the region’s important part of the community’s input transport industry to 2050. into the future development of Wanaka Airport”. Following a number of sessions in Wanaka with over 120 members of the local “We see Wanaka Airport playing a crucial community, the community-fostered vision role in the region’s transport connectivity to develop Wanaka airport as a “destination and support the forum’s recommendation for high yielding innovative businesses to develop Wanaka Airport into a ‘centre creating a sustainable aviation hub for the for aviation excellence’, which contributes region”, is a welcome recommendation. positively to the Upper Clutha economy.”

WKA news DECEMBER 2017