An early morning flight lands at Queenstown Airport in May. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYIt was 1935 when the Civil Aviation Authority first gazetted Queenstown Airport, at that time as an aerodrome, but it was another 30-odd years before the airport really took flight. Last year, two Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) proposals were listed by the council — majority shareholder of the airport — on the Government’s electronic tender service system, looking for consultants to assess the social and economic effects of airport development. The pandemic had also provided a "second chance" for the airport and the community to work together on future plans. Mr Keel was determined the airport would survive Covid-19 and continue to serve the community from its present location.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 21, 2020 16:34 UTC