Christchurch Airport chief executive Jim Boult, of Queenstown, told the Otago Daily Times he was "reluctant to fuel the debate" but confirmed his company sent the Queenstown airport company and the district council a letter about a week ago with an alternative offer.
"We did confirm that if the deal with Auckland were not to proceed, we would be prepared to talk to the airport company and/or the council about a range of options, through sharing of support structures, making an alliance, and assisting QAC with funding."
Mr Boult said Christchurch Airport would not be seeking a shareholding in Queenstown Airport.
"We have left it open-ended and just said we would be prepared to assist them with funding. It might be that we use our pretty significant and unused funding facilities."
QAC chairman Mark Taylor confirmed he had received the letter and said Christchurch Airport had made "overtures" to the council and QAC in the past.
"But we have no reason to believe that things [with the strategic alliance between QAC and AIAL] will change from where they are now."
