Debate has been ongoing in the resort over the announcement on July 8 QAC had created and sold a 24.99% new shareholding to AIAL for $27.7 million, in the first of two phases.
The second phase could see Auckland Airport increase its interest up to 35% .
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Clive Geddes has confirmed the community consultation required under the Local Government Act 2002 around the second tranche option will not take place until after local body elections in October.
Approached for comment, Sir Eion said he would like people to recognise the benefits of the deal and, when the time was right, "have a very healthy debate about issuing any more shares".
"I think there have been some very good points raised.
"I think having Auckland Airport brings excellent value [and will] help Queenstown Airport grow and therefore 75% of the family silver can be worth a lot more in the future than the present holding of 100%."
Of the debate in the resort over the issue, Sir Eion said it was "disappointing", but it was time to move forward.
"As I understand, if QAC had consulted with all of the councillors, QLDC would then have had to go to public consultation and that would have delayed decision making for at least nine months.
The company needs the money to get on and do things to benefit us all.
"It is going to benefit all businesses in this region - the expertise that Auckland Airport can bring has to be a wonderful thing for Queenstown.
"People are allowed to have an opinion - that's a fundamental right of democracy.
"I just hope that everyone can see the bigger picture ... let's not go back; let's go forward."
Sir Eion said Air New Zealand's bid to overturn the deal and replace it with an airlines' consortium was "incongruous".
"It would seem strange to have your biggest customers also shareholders. There would be obvious tension around how to maximise prices," he said.
Air New Zealand Australasia group manager Bruce Parton said on Friday the proposed consortium would take a "corner shareholding" but put any dividends back into the airport's infrastructure.
If the consortium did not happen, Air New Zealand would consider investing in infrastructure development at Queenstown Airport.
Queenstown Community Strategic Asset Group spokesman John Martin said the consortium idea was "not what we are aiming at".
"We are aiming to give control of the airport back to the community 100%.
"We welcome any offer to help sort out this bad business and appreciate Air New Zealand's offer to fund infrastructure," he said.
