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 Jetstar 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 Queenstown Airport 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 helicopters 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 Wanaka airport 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.).