Airport Corporation chairman John Gilks said 75% of that - $2.6 million - was payable to the Queenstown Lakes District Council, with the remaining $1 million payable to Auckland International Airport Ltd, which purchased a 24.99% shareholding in the airport for $27.7 million in 2010.
The relationship between Queenstown Airport and Auckland Airport, its strategic alliance partner, continued to be ''constructive and beneficial'', he said.
''As a larger airport Auckland has much more depth in knowledge and resources than Queenstown and has proven itself very willing and able to share these resources with Queenstown.
''The board is happy to report that the alliance is delivering benefits exceeding initial expectations.''
Mr Gilks said the airport had continued to build steadily on the successes of the past two years, earning a net profit after tax of $5.3 million for the year, driven by continued growth in passenger numbers and ''prudent management of operating expenses''.
''As in previous years, the company's solid performance is based on strong passenger numbers.
''The airport hosted 1,198,918 passengers, 14.5% more than in the previous financial year, reflecting increases in both domestic and international numbers.
''This increase in passenger numbers underpinned a 7.7% increase in revenue from $18.2 million to $19.6 million.''
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (ebitda) was strong at $12.9 million, compared with $11.5 million in the previous financial period.
The resort's appeal as a destination remained strong with Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia increasing their capacity, Mr Gilks said.
Queenstown Airport completed several key infrastructure projects throughout the financial year, including larger international departure facilities and a bigger Air New Zealand Koru Club Lounge, while on the commercial front it completed a new rental car concourse and the first stage of a retail redevelopment, including expanded international duty free stores.
''Queenstown continues to be viewed as a desirable destination by both domestic and international travellers.
''This fact underpins the directors' expectation that growth in passenger numbers will continue in the future, albeit at a rate which may not achieve the levels experienced in recent years,'' Mr Gilks said.
