A Facebook post issued on Friday morning from the Central Otago airport said it "activated its emergency security protocols this morning at approximately 08.40am in response to a potential bomb alert".
"Emergency services were called and the airport terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while the situation is being investigated by NZ Police and Aviation Security," the post read.
"Airport staff are working with airlines to ensure the safety of all passengers.
"All inbound aircraft have been diverted. Â
"All passengers due to depart Queenstown today, and those expecting to meet incoming flights, are asked not to come to the airport until advised otherwise."
People on the scene described the outside of the airport as chaos, with hundreds forced from the terminal.
While it is no longer peak ski season for NZ's biggest tourist town, it is school holidays, producing a greater flow of travellers.
The scenic spot has been hit with a string of challenges in recent months, including a dour year for snow, heavy rainfall which caused landslips, and a parasite outbreak.
Queenstown and some surrounding locales were under a boil water notice, which has been wound back to about half the town, for a number of weeks due to a cryptosporidium outbreak.
18°C