However, broker Peter McIntyre said critics of the deal - a 24.99% stake for $27.7 million - were missing the point. The point was getting the best outcome for Queenstown.
"Auckland airport is the gateway for international travellers in this country. The airport has the ability to drive passenger growth through to Queenstown. A greater number of passengers will pass through the airport to take advantage of the wider Central Otago facilities, including tourism, accommodation and wineries. That has to be good for tourism and the GDP of the area," he said.
Air NZ Australasia group general manager Bruce Parton said in a statement yesterday he noted in the Otago Daily Times this week Craigs broker Chris Timms describing the deal as positive for Queenstown.
"Such comment was hardly surprising given Craigs Investment Partners has as one of its directors, James Miller, who is also a member of the AIAL board."
The telling comment from Mr Timms was that AIAL was good at managing airports as it was "developing expertise at extracting the maximum amount possible from airport operations", Mr Parton said.
"It is clearly not in the best interests of travellers, or Queenstown tourism generally, when it is publicly acknowledged that AIAL is an expert at squeezing every last penny from the travelling public."
Mr Timms was not available for comment last night.
Mr McIntyre said that while Mr Miller was an independent appointment to the board, he had no influence on how Craigs judged AIAL in its research.
"Chinese walls means our views are totally independent."
AIAL did not have the highest landing fees in the country.
Air NZ was Government-owned and had been bailed out by the taxpayers on several occasions, Mr McIntyre said.
