Queenstown Airport (NZQN)
Large airport · Queenstown, Otago Region, New Zealand
Airport data
| Name | Queenstown Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NZQN |
| IATA | ZQN |
| Elevation | 1,171 ft (357 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 45°1'9" E 168°44'47" -45.01920, 168.74638 |
| Location | Queenstown, Otago Region, New Zealand |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/23 | 6,204 ft (1891 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 14/32 | 2,920 ft (890 m) | 33 ft | BITUM | No |
Queenstown Airport at a glance
Queenstown Airport is a large airport in Queenstown, Otago Region, New Zealand, known to airline systems as ZQN. The field elevation of 1,171 ft (357 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NZQN are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 05/23 — offers 6,204 ft (1891 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 05 points roughly 50° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for NZQN shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Queenstown Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Wanaka Airport | NZWF | 51 km (28 NM) |
| Alexandra Aerodrome | NZLX | 53 km (29 NM) |
| Manapouri Airport | NZMO | 103 km (56 NM) |
| Pukaki Airport | NZUK | 139 km (75 NM) |
| Dunedin International Airport | NZDN | 152 km (82 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Queenstown Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,171 ft field elevation of Queenstown Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 39 airports and airfields we list for New Zealand — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Queenstown Airport
What is the ICAO code of Queenstown Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Queenstown Airport is NZQN, and its IATA code is ZQN. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Queenstown Airport above sea level?
Queenstown Airport sits at an elevation of 1,171 feet (357 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Queenstown Airport located?
The airport lies at -45.0192, 168.7464 — in Queenstown, Otago Region, New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Wanaka Airport, about 51 km away.
Does NZQN publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NZQN appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Queenstown Airport?
Queenstown Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 05/23, measures 6,204 ft (1891 m) with a ASP surface.