An overhaul of Queenstown Airport's airline lounges is under way.
Ground-handling services firm Planebiz opened its 75-person-capacity Manaia Lounge, chiefly for Qantas and Jetstar corporates, only 18 months ago.
It has now spent more than $1million building a bigger lounge, with a capacity of 120 people, on a mezzanine floor above the international terminal.
The lounge will be officially opened tomorrow.
Planebiz co-owner and director Frank Ryder, of Christchurch, said use of its lounge had at least doubled in 18 months. At busy times, it would reach capacity once a week.
"We could never have accommodated all our guests if we'd have stuck to the old lounge.''
Air New Zealand has taken over the old Manaia Lounge, opposite its 90-person-capacity Koru Lounge.
According to council consent documents, Air New Zealand is planning a $1million refurbishment.
The airline says that figure is wrong, but it declined to provide the correct one.
Air New Zealand's senior manager of customer experience Renee Mateparae confirmed a new regional lounge at Queenstown Airport would open this year.
It would offer "significantly more space and seating options as well as our signature new lounge design'', she said.
In the 12 months to May 2016, there were more than 1.6 million passenger movements at Queenstown Airport, up almost 18% on the previous 12 months.
