Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
New Queenstown Airport Cafe a Recipe for Success
New Queenstown Airport Cafe a Recipe for Success
Award-winning North Island airport café Airspresso is scheduled to touch down at Queenstown Airport in early July.
Airspresso is the brainchild of television presenter and pilot Jim Hickey and Craig Macfarlane, owner of a cluster of restaurants, cafes, bars, boutique hotel and internationally recognised Ozone Coffee Roasters. It has operated at New Plymouth Airport since 2006.
Airspresso Queenstown will be located beside the Domestic Arrivals entrance, replacing the existing airport café which will close at the end of April. A two-month fit-out will be completed before the start of the peak ski season.
The new layout will feature an open kitchen, café seating for 115 people, a full bar, and lounge areas – all optimally designed for relaxing and soaking up floor-to-ceiling views of Queenstown’s world-renowned scenery.
Menu options will include freshly prepared food and beverages, an à la carte menu, counter food, and a ‘Grab & Go’ service.
Jim Hickey worked with Macfarlane to establish the Airspresso brand at New Plymouth Airport and says their idea of combining creative quality fare, superb espresso coffee, aviation memorabilia and stories of local aviators proved to be a winning formula.
“It gives people a real sense of place,” he says. “Queenstown is a world leader in adventure and flightseeing so we’re keen to explore ways of showcasing local aviation pioneers in the fit-out design.”
Airspresso’s day-to-day operations will be run by business partners Karyn Grant, Justin Bird and Birthe “B” Svendheim. Justin and B co-own Joe’s Garage café with Craig, Jim and Karyn, and will apply a wealth of international hospitality experience.
Queenstown Airport Corporation CEO Scott Paterson believes the Airspresso Queenstown concept is a recipe for success.
“When we went through the tender process we were really excited by Airspresso’s ideas and how they would complement the airport’s future food and beverage offerings,” he says.
“Jim brings a strong passion and understanding of Queenstown and the aviation sector
ends
Business Canterbury: Urges Council To Cut Costs, Not Ambition For City
Wellington Airport: On Track For Net Zero Emissions By 2028
Landcare Research: ANZAC Gall Fly Release Promises Natural Solution To Weed Threat
NZ Anti-Vivisection Society: Auckland Rat Lovers Unite!
University of Canterbury: $1.35 Million Grant To Study Lion-like Jumping Spiders
Federated Farmers: Government Ends War On Farming
