Our Solution

Since it opened in 1936, Christchurch Airport has operated with foresight. Planning for growth is something we undertake decades ahead of time.

That approach has been applied to our Central Otago project from its outset.

Just as others have voiced before us, our thinking is that a well-located new airport is the best way to secure connectivity for this region in a low carbon future.

Developing from new presented us with the opportunity to identify the most suitable place in the region for a new airport.

For the project to offer a solution for the next 50+ years, we required a location which is:

• Away from areas of projected high population
• Accessible to multiple regions
• Flat with sufficient space for a runway of at least 2.2 km
• Close to existing state highways
• Suitable for safe and efficient aviation
• In an area already protected from incompatible residential and urban development
• Large enough to accommodate resilient infrastructure.

Once a location had been identified, we secured 800 hectares of rural land at Tarras bordered by two State Highways (8 and 8A).