Air New Zealand planes line up at Queenstown Airport, which could be competing with a new airport in Central Otago. DAVID WALKER/STUFF/Stuff Christchurch International Airport chief executive Malcolm Johns. Johns said Christchurch Airport had long seen the potential for a new airport in Central Otago, which would provide widespread social and economic benefits across the South Island. The proposal was “exceptionally good news” for Christchurch ratepayers, who were the majority shareholder in Christchurch Airport, Johns said. Air New Zealand has previously called for a new Central Otago airport in response to booming tourist numbers, raising concerns Queenstown Airport could reach capacity by late-2021.

Source: Stuff July 22, 2020 03:39 UTC