Wanaka Airport (WKA) Information

(Wanaka, Otago, South Island, New Zealand)

Wanaka Airport is located in the south-central province of Otago, close to the township itself, where it is the gateway to the magnificent snowfields and soaring peaks of the Southern Alps skiing areas. This small facility is famous as the host of the Warbirds over Wanaka air show, held biennially and attracting hordes of visitors from all over New Zealand.

The site is a fair-weather, daytime-only airport, as it lacks the radio range beacon which enables landings in bad weather, while its short runway prevents services by large commercial jets from landing here. Its limited amenities and tiny terminal also restrict the number of passengers that can be handled at any one time, although during the peak skiing season, large aircraft offer a number of scheduled services. Annual passenger throughput here is currently in the region of 20,000.

Two airlines operate from Wanaka Airport - Aspiring Air, which uses the complex as a hub and provides a flight to Queenstown, and Air New Zealand's subsidiary Eagle Airways, with its Christchurch service. Other activities include popular sightseeing flights to Mount Cook and Milford Sound, helicopter charters, Cessna and Tecnam pilot training, skydiving flights, and adventure flights using military aircraft. General aviation is fully supported, as are military visits on a regular basis. A plan for a new terminal and improved facilities is under discussion, but is meeting with local resistance.

Wanaka Airport (WKA)

Address: 11 Lloyd Dunn Avenue / Albert Town-Luggate Road (NZ State Highway 6), Luggate / Wanaka, New Zealand
Tel: +64 3 450 9031
Wanaka Airport is technically located in Luggate and adjacent to the fast Wanaka-Luggate State Highway 6, being just a short drive from the township, which lies some 10 km / 6 miles to the west. It is roughly 60 km / 37 miles from Queenstown International Airport, the secondary air arrivals point for the ski resorts.

Facilities:

• There are no ATMs or banking facilities at the airport
• The Diner, a retro-themed eatery located opposite the terminal, is the only local source of food and drink
• Jucy and Thrifty operate car rental services from desks in the terminal
• The Warbirds and Wheels Museum is located on the complex and holds both vintage cars and aircraft
• The Visual Arts gallery is located in the same building as Warbirds and Wheels
• Long- and short-term parking are on offer near the terminal, via a shuttle bus to the car parks. Meet and Greet parking is also provided
• Facilities for the disabled include adapted bathrooms

Cars

The journey to Wanaka from the airport is straightforward using the Wanaka-Luggate highway direct to town, and the journey time is around ten minutes. Along the route, you will pass by the Albert Town-Lake Hawea Road, which leads northwards to Albert Town. Self-drive visitors should note that the winter climate here is alpine, requiring winter tyres and snow chains for safety at this time of the year.

Buses

An airport shuttle bus takes passengers to hotels in Wanaka - a journey of around 15 minutes, while a shuttle bus service runs to Queenstown and takes in the region of an hour to reach this destination.

Taxis and Limos

Taxi services are available outside the terminal from several local companies, giving door-to-door fixed fare rides. Meet and Greet chauffeured car options are also provided.