Airport chief executive Colin Keel said Go Bus would operate an 11-seater shuttle, plus luggage trailer, during the 12-month trial, aimed at people using the 150-space parking facility at the Frankton Flats for two or more days.
The shuttle would initially run every 30 minutes, in co-ordination with airlines' schedules, between the park in Brookes Rd, behind Mitre 10 Mega and Pak'n Save and the airport terminal.
That journey was expected to take about 15 minutes each way and the driver had been instructed to use the quickest route, depending on the time of day.
The airport had been working with Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) to co-ordinate the launch of the park and ride trial with the opening of the first stage of the Hawthorne Dr link, between Glenda Dr and Remarkables Park, which is due to open on June 22.
That meant the Go Bus could either use State Highway 6, or the Hawthorne Dr link and would use the NZ Transport Agency cameras, set up on the BP roundabout, to make determinations on which route to take.
The service would operate on a ''pay to park, free to ride'' model.
Travellers would park their vehicles and collect a receipt at the pay station, which would be used for shuttle transfers to and from the airport.
The airport was offering a ''special launch price'' from the opening date until August 31 - $20.50 for two days and $8.50 per day thereafter, with a weekly maximum of $59.50.
The pricing structure from September 1 is expected to be announced tomorrow.
Mr Keel said the park and ride facility was primarily aimed at local and regional communities.
Its launch coincided with the removal of cars parked along State Highway 6.
''Over the course of the 12-month trial we'll be closely monitoring customer usage and satisfaction levels.
''Based on customer feedback we'll make relevant changes to the service to meet demand if necessary,'' Mr Keel said.
