The Queenstown Community Strategic Asset Group and Air New Zealand both filed applications in the High Court at Invercargill yesterday.
Group spokesman John Martin said the High Court action was taken because the group had been "stonewalled at every turn".
"We have asked for a declaratory judgement on the issue and for an injunction to stop any further decision being made by the defendant ...
Queenstown Lakes District Council and QAC (Queenstown Airport Corporation)."
The corporation, which was fully owned by the council, sold 24.99% of the airport to Auckland International Airport without public input, and announced the possibility that more might be sold.
This would be led by the council and would, it appears, require community consultation.
Mr Martin said the group was also questioning why the public was not allowed to see the relevant documents. `We are sick of hearing about confidentiality ... if they haven't got anything to hide ... put it on the table."
Air New Zealand also confirmed it had filed a separate application with the High Court at Invercargill, but a spokesman said it was not at liberty to release details.
No response was received from the High Court at Invercargill to requests for information.
Corporation chairman Mark Taylor said that because the matter was now before the court it was inappropriate for him to comment on the applications.
Mayor Clive Geddes is on leave until next Friday and attempts to contact him yesterday were unsuccessful.
Deputy mayor John S. Wilson, told yesterday's council meeting in Wanaka "legal developments" late on Monday afternoon prevented him from making any public comment on the airport sale.
That matter was discussed privately with councillors after the meeting.
Mr Wilson said council senior managers were engaged almost full-time in the airport process at the meeting.
"The council is supportive of due process and for the community at large to have a better understanding of that.
"I give you [the public forum] an absolute assurance the council will consider this matter for what we believe will be the best outcome for the whole of the Lakes District."
Mr Martin said he understood the Office of the Auditor-general was "very interested" in the issue, but was yet to hear officially if it would be investigating.
The office could not provide an update yesterday when contacted.
