Gunnebo Entrance Control has collaborated with Queenstown Airport (ZQN) and Custom Technology Systems Ltd to advance the domestic departure experience by enhancing both convenience and security measures for travellers.
Queenstown Airport, a crucial gateway to New Zealand’s South Island and the nation’s fourth-busiest airport, has been evolving since its inception in 1935. Currently accommodating over 2.6 million passengers annually, it connects prominent domestic locations and cities on Australia’s east coast, necessitating ongoing advancements in passenger amenities and operational efficiency.
In an effort to improve the domestic departures process, Queenstown Airport reconfigured a café space, installing a glass wall to move the café airside and integrating it into the gate lounge. This modification provided passengers with direct food and beverage access along with more seating, all within the same spatial footprint.
To support this updated layout, Custom Technology Systems Ltd and Gunnebo Entrance Control collaborated closely with on-site teams to implement a customised entrance control solution that harmonises security requirements with passenger flow, while managing space constraints.
“The success of this project was achieved by working together, adapting to unexpected challenges, and staying focused on delivering a secure, seamless journey for every passenger,” stated Chris Walker, Project Manager at Queenstown Airport.
“Every challenge we encountered was met together. Whether it was refining the design, resolving compliance issues, or adapting to the space, we relied on each other’s strengths to get it right.”
To enhance both aesthetics and functionality, the team installed Gunnebo Entrance Control’s PasSec solution, a streamlined one-way corridor system designed to prevent backflow while meeting stringent local and international aviation standards.
Brett Copeland, Managing Director at Custom Technology Systems Ltd, remarked, “For this works programme, there was a genuine sense of problem-solving together. It wasn’t about one party leading and others following but instead a collaborative process from initial design and specification through to project completion. We each brought ideas, worked through constraints and stayed focused on making the solution fit.”
Clive Dillen, Regional Manager at Gunnebo Entrance Control, concluded, “We’re proud of what we achieved here, and the result reflects the true essence of coordination, discussion and trust. That’s what true partnership looks like and marks a major step forward in Queenstown Airport’s continued development.” Dillen added that this project serves as a clear example of what can be accomplished when organisations confront challenges together to offer smarter, more effective results for passengers and operators.
