The tourism giant requested the move from the Queenstown Lakes District Council, whose chief executive, Mike Theelen, signed off the move under delegated powers on October 20.
That was after the local body elections but before the new council was sworn in.
Mayor-elect Jim Boult was consulted and said he was ''entirely comfortable'' with it.
The tourism company has agreed to pay all the council's costs, including expert and legal costs.
Skyline chairman Mark Quickfall called it a ''pragmatic approach''.
''Going directly to the Environment Court won't remove any rights of the submitters or opportunities to be heard.''
Mr Theelen said he did not believe the decision meant less local scrutiny.
''No. Part of the conditions agreed in the decision were to ensure it stayed local and heard in Queenstown.
''Furthermore, every person who made a submission on the application has the opportunity to become party to the Environment Court proceeding.''
The council would also summarise the submissions in its report to the court, which had been due to be heard by an independent hearings commissioner on December 5 to 7.
Mr Theelen said direct referral was ''a more efficient and cost-effective method'' of determining the application for all involved.
The move is not unprecedented. The council has directly referred one other previous application, Skydive company NZONE's 2013 application for more flights.
Mr Quickfall said Skyline's upgrade was a major investment for the community ''which reflects Queenstown's continuing success as the tourism capital of New Zealand''.
