Christchurch International Airport Totally Explained

Everything about Christchurch International Airport totally explained

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.
   The primary runway is oriented near perpendicular to Canterbury's Nor'wester föhn 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. The Airbus A340, Boeing 777 and C-17 Globemaster III types have been known to use this runway in extreme conditions (and low landing weight).
   Garden City Helicopters operates from a base adjacent to the airport. They have a medivac service using fixed wing aircraft and also operate the rescue helicopter in Canterbury with a secondary helipad in Hagley Park adjacent to Christchurch Hospital (ICAO: NZJC). Christchurch Helicopters also operate from the western side of the airfield, next to Canterbury Aero Club, which maintains a grass runway parallel to the primary runway.
   The airport is about to embark on a major upgrade costing over $200 million, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2009, due to increasing passenger numbers.

Terminal Statistics

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 - 5,635,166

2006 - 5,455,310

Military Operations

Since the closure of Wigram Air Force Base, the Royal New Zealand Air Force 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 as part of Operation Deep Freeze, 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. 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. The C-5 Galaxy aircraft also makes the occasional appearance, although it has been noticeably absent in recent times. All other aircraft types except for the LC-130, which is fitted with skis for snow landing, must operate on either sea ice or blue ice runways.
The C-141 Starlifter was also a regular visitor before its retirement from active service in 2005.

Airport Redevelopment

Christchurch Airport is currently under going an expansion project. The construction of the new multi-storey carpark building began in early 2006 and opened early 2007, providing 570 new premium carparks in addition to 1100 uncovered carparks.
The new 45m tall Control Tower which will be positioned near the new Carpark building is due to begin construction in mid 2008.
From Mid 2008 the new Check-In area and Domestic Terminal will begin to be built. The new Check-In area will be communal for both Domestic and International passengers. The new domestic terminal will consist of an additional 3 gates and 1 more baggage carousel. The old domestic terminal will be completely demolished to make way for the new terminal. All construction is expected to be completed by June 2009.

Airlines and Destinations

Airlines and destinations out of Christchurch International>

Airlines	Destinations	Terminal	Aircraft	Remarks
Air Chathams	Chatham Islands	Domestic	Convair 580
Air New Zealand	Auckland, Queenstown, Wellington, Rotorua	Domestic	Boeing 737-300
Air New Zealand operated by Air National	Blenheim, Hokitika, Nelson, Oamaru	Domestic	Jetstream 32
Air New Zealand operated by Air Nelson	Nelson, Napier, New Plymouth, Invercargill, Tauranga	Domestic	Bombardier Q300
Air New Zealand operated by Eagle Airways	Blenheim, Hokitika, Oamaru, Wanaka	Domestic	Beechcraft 1900D
Air New Zealand operated by Mount Cook Airline	Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Palmerston North, Queenstown, Rotorua, Wellington	Domestic	ATR 72-500
Air New Zealand operated by Zeal320 (formerly Freedom Air)	Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney	International	Airbus A320
Air Pacific	Nadi	International	Boeing 737-700	Seasonal Service
Emirates	Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Dubai, Sydney	International	Airbus A340-500 Until 31 Jan 09 Boeing 777-300ER from 1 Feb 08	Bangkok starts 1 Feb 09
Jetstar	Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast	International	Airbus A320
Korean Air	Seoul	International	Boeing 777-200ER	Seasonal Service
Pacific Blue	Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington	Domestic	Boeing 737-800	Dunedin begins July 08
Pacific Blue	Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney	International	Boeing 737-800
Qantas operated by JetConnect	Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown	Domestic	Boeing 737-300 Boeing 737-400
Qantas	Sydney	International	Boeing 767-300ER
Singapore Airlines	Singapore	International	Boeing 777-200ER Boeing 777-300ER

Current to April 2008Further Information

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