The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is set to get a $5.2million boost thanks to a strong performance from Queenstown Airport.

Queenstown Airport has released its results for the first half of the financial year, declaring a $7million interim dividend, reflecting a strong start to the year. 

QLDC is the major shareholder in the airport, at 75.01 per cent, with Auckland International Airport Ltd the remaining 24.99 per cent.

Airport chair Simon Flood said the business had started the financial year well with a strong financial performance and significant progress towards its strategic goals.

The interim airport recorded $40.4m in revenue - an increase of 22 per cent on the previous year - with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of $29.5m, and a 27 per cent increase in net profit of $16.2m.

Passenger movements were up 6 percent with 1,343,006 passengers passing through the terminal in the first six months of the 2025 financial year. compared with the same period the previous year.

More than 1,343,000 passenger movements were recorded while scheduled airport movements totalled 9848 - up 6 percent on the previous year.

Simon said record numbers of passengers travelled through the terminal during peak winter weeks and summer holidays.

The growth in passenger numbers was driven by continued demand for travel to and from Queenstown, with particularly strong trans-Tasman numbers, he said.

“Over the coming years, we will complete the most significant capital investment programme in the airport’s 90-year history,’’ Simon said.

“A key strategic focus for the board of directors and executive team is the delivery of the Queenstown Airport Master Plan. Detailed development and organisational planning are under way. Capital investment planning, procurement, and programme delivery will continue in

sequenced stages. An important focus will be ensuring Master Plan progress updates are provided to our broad range of stakeholders.’’

In October, Queenstown Airport began a major project to install engineered materials arresting system (EMAS) beds at either end of the main runway.

“Queenstown Airport is the first airport in Australasia to adopt this innovative technology, designed to safely stop an aircraft that overshoots a runway. Should a runway overrun occur at Queenstown, this will be the best investment we have ever made, and we are proud to be the

leading the way in risk mitigation and enhanced safety,” Simon said.

Airport chief executive Glen Sowry said good progress had been made on other key areas of focus, including sustainability, and projects to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.