Christchurch International Airport
Christchurch International Airport is the main airport that serves Christchurch, New Zealand. It is located 12 kilometres to the northwest of the city centre, in the suburb of Harewood, and was opened in 1953.[A Wheel on Each Corner, The History of the IPENZ Transportation Group 1956-2006 - Douglass, Malcolm; IPENZ Transportation Group, 2006, Page 12]
The primary runway is oriented near perpendicular to Canterbury's Nor'wester foehn wind. For this reason, the secondary runway is a cross-runway (at a right angle to the primary runway), and is used during Nor'westers by all aircraft up to and including Boeing 767s; United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs have also been known to use this runway in extreme conditions.[Christchurch International Airport Ltd, Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand]
Due to increasing passenger numbers, the airport has begun construction on a new terminal upgrade costing over $200 million. The new construction is scheduled for completion in 2011, with some work such as demolition continuing until 2012.[New terminal construction FAQ]
Domestic Parking positions
 Jetways: 5
No Jetway: 15
International Parking positions
Jetways: 9
No Jetway: 2
Aircraft Movements
2007 - 135,058
2006 - 124,464
Passenger Movements
2007 - 1,654
2006 - 8,344
Military operations
Since the closure of Wigram Air Force Base, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) always flies to Christchurch International Airport when required to visit the city. There are regular RNZAF flights between the main centres of New Zealand. Prior to the withdrawal of the air combat wing, the RNZAF fighter aircraft were also seen at the airport.
With the development of Antarctic scientific expeditions, since the 1950s Christchurch Airport has been the base for all Antarctic flights operated by the United States Air Force, Air National Guard and Royal New Zealand Air Force as part of Operation Deep Freeze. During the Antarctic flying season (which generally operates from August to February), C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules and LC-130 Hercules aircraft are often seen on the Antarctic Apron north of the main passenger terminals. C-5 Galaxy aircraft also make the occasional appearance.
General aviation operations
There are several general aviation organisations operating from the airport. Garden City Helicopters operates from a base adjacent to the airport. It operates a medivac service using fixed-wing aircraft and also operates the rescue helicopter in Canterbury with a secondary helipad in Hagley Park adjacent to Christchurch Hospital (ICAO: NZJC). Christchurch Helicopters also operates from the western side of the airfield, next to Canterbury Aero Club, which maintains a grass runway parallel to the primary runway.
Airport Redevelopment
Christchurch Airport is currently undergoing an extensive expansion project. This began in 2006 when construction commenced on a new multi-storey car park building which opened early 2007. The new building provides 570 new covered car parks. Once it was complete, part of the existing car park area was closed to allow for the extra space required for the expanded footprint of the new terminal building. Construction of a new 45m tall control tower, positioned close to the new car park building, began in October 2008.
In early 2009 work on the new terminal will commence. The new terminal will replace the existing aging domestic terminal and expand the facilities of the much newer international terminal. The new building will include:
a combined check-in area servicing both domestic and international passengers,
a large landside retail and food precinct,
new domestic departure and arrival lounges with enhanced retail facilities,
new domestic and expanded international baggage claim areas,
new international customs arrivals area,
three swing-style boarding gates accessible from both the domestic and international departure areas so aircraft do not need to change gates,
a new taxiing lane incorporated into the domestic aircraft parking apron to allow for more efficient aircraft movements,
new coach and drop off facilities that eliminate the terminal frontage road in accordance with new international ICAO guidelines.
The old domestic terminal will be completely demolished to make way for the new terminal. All construction is expected to be completed by mid 2011, with some work such as demolition continuing until 2012.[Christchurch Airport new terminal information page]
Airlines and Destinations
Current to July 2009
External links
- Airport website
- CIAL's commercial property website
- Canterbury Aero Club website
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