Queenstown Airport has teamed up with Gunnebo Entrance Control and Custom Technology Systems Ltd to streamline the domestic departures journey, introducing a more convenient and secure flow for the millions of passengers who pass through the terminal each year.
As one of New Zealand’s busiest regional hubs, Queenstown Airport has been expanding and evolving since its opening in 1935. Today, more than 2.6 million travellers use the airport annually to reach major centres across the South Island and destinations along Australia’s east coast. That steady growth has driven a renewed focus on passenger experience and operational efficiency.
A recent development programme centred on reworking existing café space to improve the departures lounge. The café was relocated airside behind a newly installed glass wall, giving passengers direct access to food and drink options and creating extra seating without increasing the overall footprint. To make the new layout work safely and smoothly, the airport required an entrance control solution that supported both security and passenger movement within a confined area.
Custom Technology Systems Ltd and Gunnebo Entrance Control collaborated closely with Queenstown Airport’s project team to design and implement a system tailored to the space. Chris Walker, Project Manager at Queenstown Airport, said the results were achieved through teamwork and adaptability, noting that design refinements, compliance considerations, and spatial constraints were addressed collectively to deliver a seamless passenger experience.
The final installation features Gunnebo Entrance Control’s PasSec one-way corridor, selected for its combination of aesthetics, security, and its ability to prevent backflow while meeting stringent domestic and international aviation requirements.
Brett Copeland, Managing Director at Custom Technology Systems Ltd, highlighted the cooperative nature of the work, emphasising that the project progressed through shared ideas and joint problem-solving rather than a traditional lead-and-follow approach.
Reflecting on the outcome, Clive Dillen, Regional Manager at Gunnebo Entrance Control, said the project embodies the value of genuine partnership. He added that the installation marks a meaningful step in Queenstown Airport’s ongoing development and demonstrates the impact that coordinated, challenge-driven teamwork can deliver for both passengers and airport operators.