QAC's private plan change sought to extend the noise boundaries; manage and mitigate noise; and introduce 11 night flights per week using a new night-time noise boundary.
Queenstown Lakes District Council planning and policy general manager Philip Pannett said in a press release yesterday commissioners Bob Batty, Stephen Chiles and David Clarke had recommended the council adopt the airport's proposal to extend its air-noise and outer-noise control boundaries and manage and mitigate the noise.
The council will make its decision on Tuesday.
The airport's plan change request identified significant forecast growth - from 8340 flights in 2008 to a projected 20,000 flights in 2037.
"QAC's point of view is that it's a pleasing recommendation [in respect of the air-noise boundaries] by the commissioners and we'll wait until next week to see how council respond to that," Mr Sanderson said.
Mr Pannett said the commissioners felt there would be "adverse effects" from night flights on the Wakatipu Basin, but Mr Sanderson said QAC would "need to look at that a bit more" before deciding on its next step.
"We'll probably need to talk to Queenstown businesses and tourist operators and airlines and evaluate the desire to pursue 10pm to midnight, but we've got three weeks to consider that.
"[Jetstar chief executive] Bruce Buchanan saw the benefits of flying to midnight: [it] offers the ability for people to come into town, leave Sydney on a Friday night and come to Queenstown for the weekend.
"I think, overall, it's been a good recommendation from the commissioners in terms of plan change 35."
Mr Sanderson said if the council chose to adopt the recommendation to increase the air-noise boundaries, it would mean the airport would be able to cater for its projected growth.
"As the physical noise extends over the next 25 years, prior to the physical noise reaching those boundaries ... we will do [acoustic] insulation to those houses [affected] as required.
"Probably the approach we'll be taking is ... an insulation programme, rather than take on a large number of houses in one go."
The first homes could be insulated in "the next couple of years", he said.
If the council chose to adopt the recommendation at its meeting next week, the decision would be publicly notified and subject to appeal in the Environment Court.
Parties would have 15 working days to lodge an appeal. Mr Sanderson said it would be "disappointing" if submitters chose to appeal the decision.
The plan change was publicly notified in January, attracting 92 original submissions - 24 in support, 8 partly in support and 60 opposed - and was heard by commissioners over nine working days in June and September.
OPENING HOURS
NZ airport operating hours:
• Auckland domestic terminal: open from first flight (about 5am) until the last flight (about midnight).
• Auckland international terminal: 24 hours.
• Wellington Airport: 4am to 1.30am.
• Christchurch Airport: 24 hours.
• Dunedin Airport: 24 hours.
• Queenstown Airport: 6am to 10pm.
