Queenstown Airport ready for influx of winter holidaymakers

2026-06-22

Queenstown Airport is preparing for its busiest winter yet, with more than 785,000 passengers expected to travel through the airport between July and September. That compares with 735,344 over the same three months in 2025. The peak is expected on 18 July, with 70 flights and about 10,000 passengers arriving or departing through the airport in a single day.

Queenstown Airport Chief Executive Shane O’Hare said the winter season was always a special time for the airport and the wider region. “Winter is when Queenstown really shines, and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors from all over New Zealand and overseas to experience the vast range of things our region has to offer, from world-class ski fields and adventure activities to vibrant hospitality.”

Mr O’Hare said there was a strong shift towards ‘cool tourism’, with travellers seeking out crisp alpine air, snowy landscapes, and authentic winter experiences. “This region is already New Zealand’s premier winter destination, and businesses such as NZ Ski and RealNZ have made significant investments to cater to this global travel trend.” Local residents also love to travel at this time of the year and are taking advantage of Air New Zealand and Jetstar’s new direct Queenstown-Brisbane services.

“This is a great example of our airline partners responding to demand,” Mr O’Hare said. “With Qantas and Virgin Australia also operating this route year-round, travellers now have more choice than ever.” Auckland and Sydney remain the most popular destinations for departing passengers.

Australian families will start flying into Queenstown for winter getaways from 20 June, but numbers will really pick up early in July, when Australian and New Zealand school holidays overlap. The Matariki public holiday on 10 July will boost traveller numbers, and early spring will also be busy, with the Snow Machine festival scheduled for 8-13 September.

“As always, our team will work closely with the airlines, border agencies, and wider airport community to ensure a smooth experience during peak travel periods,” Mr O’Hare said. Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism Chief Executive Mat Woods said visitors can expect a warm welcome to the region.

“Queenstown Lakes continues to be the engine room for New Zealand tourism, and we love sharing it with visitors from around New Zealand and around the world. “Domestic visitors are the foundation of our winter season, while Australia remains our most important international market. Direct trans-Tasman flights make it easy for Australians to access the region’s ski fields, hospitality, and experiences. “We're also seeing a meaningful lift in Chinese visitors, many travelling through New Zealand on the visa-waiver programme via Australia. Together, those markets are helping drive a positive outlook for the season ahead.”