Queenstown Airport is forecasting passenger numbers to keep rising, but considers ''infrastructure challenges'' a risk to its strategic goals.
In its statement of intent for the next three years, the Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) forecasts annual passenger numbers to rise from 1.8million this year to 3.2million by 2025.
But it warns lagging regional infrastructure could get in the way of its strategic objectives.
A lack of affordable visitor accommodation during peak periods, congested roads and a shortage of worker accommodation had the potential to affect visitor demand.
The statement, which will be presented at the Queenstown Lakes District Council's meeting today, gives the QAC's strategic priorities and performance targets for the next three years.
It is required by local government law to prepare the annual document because it is a council-controlled trading organisation - the council is the majority (75.01%) owner.
A major milestone will be the release in June of a 30-year master plan providing a ''road map'' for the airport's future development.
The statement forecasts the company's operating earnings to peak at $32.5million in 2017-18 - well up on the $21.5million reported in 2015-16. Those earnings drop to $27.5million the following year before rebounding to $31.3million in 2019-20.
Profits are forecast to follow the same trajectory - peaking at $16.4million in 2017-18, falling to $12.4million the following year and recovering to $15.3million in 2019-20.
The airport reported a $7.8million profit in 2015-16.
