CAA Feedback Confirms Public Safety not a Concern for Queenstown Flights

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has received advice from the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) confirming risks associated with air transport and public safety are being “well managed”. 

Concerns that Queenstown Airport is an unsafe destination to fly into were raised in public forum during a number of Full Council meetings. In response to these comments, QLDC Mayor Jim Boult felt it was appropriate and responsible, given QLDC’s position as major stakeholder in the Queenstown Airport Corporation, to seek both reassurance and more facts on this issue. The view put forward in public forum specifically related to aircraft icing on approach.

The response from CAA Chief Executive Graeme Harris states that “in respect of aircraft airframe icing on approach to Queenstown, a meteorological analysis and review of occurrence reports does not support that there is an elevated level of concern with respect to Queenstown”.

Mr Harris acknowledged that “operations at Queenstown Airport are certainly subject to a number of hazards and associated risks.” However, local weather patterns, geographic features such as mountains, bird life and mixed aviation activity were risks that were consistent across Aotearoa New Zealand’s airport network.

“However, I am confident that these risks are being effectively managed by the various parties involved in those operations.”

The response draws on research conducted by the CAA’s Deputy Director (Air Transport and Airworthiness), the Safety Investigation Unit (SIU) and the Principal Meteorological Officer.

The response from the CAA is attached in full.

ENDS | KUA MUTU.

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.