Overnight work starts from mid-March to cut diagonal grooves in the surface. Queenstown will be the first airfield in New Zealand to get "trapezoidal" grooving as opposed to traditional rectangular.
The work follows an $18million upgrade to widen and resurface the main runway last year.
"Essentially, this is the final part of our runway work for evening flights," airport operations manager Mike Clay said.
"The reason we’re doing it now is we’ve had to allow the asphalt we put down last year to cure for 16 months."
The grooves help water flow off the runway. They also increase friction for aircraft landing, which is particularly helpful in wet weather or when there is dew.
Mr Clay said the grooves decreased the chances of an aircraft hydroplaning on landing. The grooving work — which is expected to take eight weeks — could also mean fewer diverted flights and "go-arounds".
Downer Construction and a three-person team from Cardinal International Grooving and Grinding are flying in from completing similar work at Singapore’s Changi Airport, and their equipment is being shipped from the United States.
There will be no effect on Queenstown flights, as work will be completed by 6am each day.
Mr Clay did not expect there would be excessive noise or vibration from the work but the airport corporation has provided an after-hours hotline (027 226-3057) for residents.
The work will begin at the Kawarau Rd end.
