A possible $50 million boost to the economy

Warbirds Over Wānaka International Airshow will provide a $50 million boost to the regional economy, Warbirds Over Wānaka general manager Ed Taylor says.

A record attendance of at least 70,000 people attended the air show at Wanaka Airport.

Mr Taylor said the air show last year in 2018 pumped about $42 million into the region's economy.

„I believe it will be $50 million. It will also take a little inflation,” he said.

Warbirds chairman John Gilks ​​was upbeat about the show's financial success, but preliminary financial details aren't likely to be available until May.

Wānaka Business Chamber chief executive Glen Peat told the Otago Daily Times that Easter trading restrictions were the only warning for retailers in Wānaka.

„What you may see in the future is that Wanaka may be exempted from the Easter trading laws, as Queenstown is,” Mr Peat said.

Around 80 aircraft were on display at Wanaka Airport, most from around the country or overseas.

RD Petroleum aviation manager Jack Robert said he was aware of at least 70 private flights, with many charters bringing passengers to Wanaka.

Mr Robert estimated that RD Petroleum would have supplied about 20,000 liters of aviation gas to fuel aircraft at Wānaka Airport and about 30,000 liters of jet fuel to fuel jets used by the Royal NZ Air Force.

He didn't know how much fuel it needed because USAF F-16 fighters refueled at Christchurch airport or used an aerial tanker mid-flight.

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