Christchurch International Airport Limited says it will hold the 800 hectares of land it has purchased for around $50m as a strategic asset while it reassesses its Tarras airport project.
It comes after discussions with council-controlled owner CCHL, which said it supports the decision.
Christchurch Airport says it will read a new study of Central Otago residents and its findings on the proposed Tarras airport “with caution”.
A survey of Central Otago residents shows strong support for sustainable tourism and focusing on visitor value but little enthusiasm for more tourists and the proposed Tarras airport.
Christchurch Airport’s CEO says the proposal is being unfairly singled out and he also suggests how the large infrastructure project could be funded.
Christchurch Airport says there will be significant unmet demand for flights into Central Otago airports like Queenstown Airport.
There’s no need for a fourth international airport in the South Island, writes Queenstown Airport CEO Glen Sowry.
DQ and LWT say the proposal is not aligned with the district’s new regenerative tourism approach.
The proposed Tarras airport in Central Otago will have a runway aligned north east to the Lindis Valley and south to Lake Dunstan and will be able to take long-distance jet aircraft.
Christchurch Airport will hold community engagement days on its Tarras airport proposal this month.
The departure of Christchurch International Airport chief executive Malcolm Johns could be an opportunity to reset the operator’s Central Otago project, says airport opposition group Sustainable Tarras.
City ratepayers could pay twice if a new airport struggles to make profit and takes tourism from Canterbury, argues Ilan Noy from Victoria University.
Christchurch International Airport is calling Sustainable Tarras’ claims that a proposed airport at Tarras is being hastily prepared without consultation as ‘opinions and assumptions’.
Christchurch Airport has hit back at claims its Tarras airport project is greenwashing its carbon emissions reporting.
There is strong opposition to the proposed Tarras international airport, according to a survey from Wanaka Stakeholders Group.
The proposed Otago airport could open around 2030, says Christchurch Airport.