An airport for Lumsden is being seen as a viable option.

Air New Zealand says a new regional airport will be needed to accommodate future growth in the area.

Lumsden Community Development chairman Rob Scott told Mike Hosking it is not a silly idea because it's only an hour from Frankton, in Queenstown.

"People in Lumsden see the town as the gateway to Southland and if an airport's built there, it would be the gateway to Central Otago too."

LISTEN ABOVE AS ROB SCOTT SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING