Queenstown Airport is flying high, thanks to a surge in visitors.

It's been named Large Airport of the Year at the national awards - with judges praising its strong safety record, commercial success, and community engagement.

They were also impressed with its new end-of-runway safety system.

Chief operating officer Todd Grace says the airport's seen strong growth since Covid.

He says they're the only airport in New Zealand operating back past pre-Covid levels.

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