<h2 class="blog-hed2 pb-lg-4 pb-3 text-lg-center">History of Queenstown International Airport</h2>
<p class="blog-para">Queenstown Airport was first licensed to operate in 1935, but it was not until the 1950s that commercial flights became commonplace, particularly commercial sightseeing operations to Milford Sound. A regular scenic route between Queenstown and Dunedin was first established by Southern Scenic Air Services Ltd on 17 July 1950. In the 1960s, the original grass runway was lengthened. Mount Cook Airline was the pioneer of tourist flights into Queenstown. Regular services from Christchurch began on 6 November 1961, operating DC-3s with three flights a week on a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to Queenstown via Mount Cook and onto Te Anau-Manapouri.</p>
<p class="blog-para">In 1995, Air New Zealand began operating Queenstown Airport's first trans-Tasman flight from Sydney. Since this, an almost continuous expansion programme began to cater to passenger and airline demand. In May 2014, New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approved Queenstown Airport's foundation safety case for after-dark flights, reliant on some additional infrastructure, including runway lights. On 4 May 2016, the airport's runway lights were officially switched on by transport minister Simon Bridges. The runway lighting allowed the airport to extend operations beyond sunset to its 10:00 pm noise abatement curfew. The first after-dark flight was a Jetstar flight from Melbourne on 24 June 2016.</p>
<h2 class="blog-hed2 pb-lg-4 pb-3 text-lg-left">Transportation from Queenstown International Airport</h2>
<p class="blog-para"><strong>Bus: </strong>The Orbus services all major hotels and motels every 15 minutes including Queenstown Airport. The fare to downtown Queenstown is $10 for adults. Reservations are not required. Tickets are available from the driver.fare to downtown Queenstown is $12 for adults and $5.50 for children. Reservations are not required. Tickets are available from the driver.</p>
<p class="blog-para"><strong>Shuttle:</strong> A shuttle is a cost-effective way to travel into the centre of the town. Discounts apply if two or more people are travelling together. Shuttles are normally shared with other passenger groups.</p>
<p class="blog-para"><strong>Taxi: </strong>The above price and travelling time are for a journey between the airport and the centre of town. If you&rsquo;re travelling to the airport by taxi.</p>
<p class="blog-para"><strong>Car rental: </strong>Major rental car companies operate from the terminal building. Bookings are strongly recommended.</p>
<p><img class="img-fluid p-lg-0 rounded w-100" title="Queenstown Airport" src="../../main/img/airport/que/1.webp" alt="Queenstown Airport " width="950px" height="500px"></p>