Queenstown jet boat operator Thunder Jets says it will do whatever it takes to get back on the water after a judicial review quashed its resource consent.
Justice French called the Queenstown Lakes District Council's process flawed and a serious breach of the Resource Management Act after it failed to allow rival company Kawarau Jet to address the consent.
Thunder Jets has been operating since December 2008 and company spokesperson Duncan Storrier says he feels let down by the council.
The company will now resubmit its original resource consent.
Kawarau Jet director Andy Brinsley says safety must come first and that is why his company must be able to address his rival's resource consent.
Council regulatory manager Roger Taylor says it will stand by the court's ruling and measures have been put in place to stop a similar blunder happening again.
Both companies are considering suing the council.