The exercise centred on a "crashed" Airbus A320 and checked the effectiveness of the airport emergency plan and procedures, as well as the response by emergency staff to such an incident.
A total of 10 observers from other New Zealand airports and relevant agencies watched the simulation and response.
Although there will be a formal review and debriefing, the immediate response by observers was "very positive", exercise director Jon Mitchell said.
"The response to the emergency by all services was very prompt and well co-ordinated," Mr Mitchell said in a statement yesterday.
Queenstown Airport chief executive Scott Paterson said yesterday such a large-scale exercise was "very important as it gives emergency services and personnel valuable hands-on experience, which they can learn from and employ for any major incident that could occur at the airport or within the region".
"The drill is also required as part of the airport's operating certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Authority," Mr Paterson said.
Agencies taking part in the exercise were the Queenstown Airport Corporation, its fire and rescue service, the Fire Service, St John, Aviation Security, airlines, Customs, the Queenstown Lakes District Council, the Lakes District Hospital and Victim Support.
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