How did Gunnebo Entrance Control improve the Queenstown Airport passenger experience?

Gunnebo Entrance Control has teamed up with Queenstown Airport (ZQN) and Custom Technology Systems to enhance the domestic departure experience, providing passengers with greater convenience and security.

Queenstown Airport, a vital gateway to New Zealand’s South Island and the country’s fourth-busiest airport, has been continuously evolving since its opening in 1935. Serving over 2.6 million passengers annually, it connects major domestic destinations and the east coast of Australia, driving continuous improvements to passenger facilities and operational efficiency.

As part of a dedicated program to improve the domestic departures journey, ZQN reimagined existing café space. A glass wall was installed to relocate the café airside, integrating it with the gate lounge. This provides passengers with direct access to food and beverages and creates additional seating, all within the same footprint.

To support the new layout, Custom Technology Systems and Gunnebo Entrance Control collaborated closely with on-site teams to deliver a tailored entrance control solution that balanced security and passenger flow while accommodating spatial limitations.

“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,” said 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 optimize style, security, and passenger movement, the team installed Gunnebo Entrance Control’s PasSec solution, a sleek one-way corridor system designed to prevent backflow while maintaining compliance with strict local and international aviation regulations.

Brett Copeland, Managing Director at Custom Technology Systems Ltd added: “For this works program, 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. It stands as a clear example of what can be accomplished when organizations work through challenges together to deliver smarter, more effective outcomes for passengers and operators.”