A new report into the proposed Wanaka Airport expansion says it would need more than three million passenger movements a year to ensure a return on investment.

The report was commissioned by the Wanaka Stakeholders Group to assess the activity levels that may result from the proposed $400 million investment.

Report author Richard Somerville said passenger jets would have to take off and land every 10 minutes during a 12-hour day to cover costs and ensure an acceptable return rate.

“The objective of this work was to calculate the level of commercial aviation activity, which should follow from an investment of this size,” he said in the report.

Queenstown Airport response

Queenstown Airport Corporation chief executive Colin Keel said the analysis was commissioned to support opposition of development of the Wanaka Airport…

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