Christchurch International Airport
| Christchurch International Airport | |||
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| Aerial view of the airport | |||
IATA: CHC – ICAO: NZCH
 CHC
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| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Owner | Christchurch City Council (75%) NZ Government (25%)[1] |
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| Operator | Christchurch International Airport Limited | ||
| Serves | Christchurch | ||
| Location | Harewood, Christchurch | ||
| Hub for | Air New Zealand | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 37 m / 123 ft | ||
| Coordinates | 43°29′22″S 172°31′56″E / 43.48944°S 172.53222°ECoordinates: 43°29′22″S 172°31′56″E / 43.48944°S 172.53222°E | ||
| Website | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| m | ft | ||
| 02/20 | 3,288 | 10,785 | Asphalt - Primary |
| 11/29 | 1,741 | 5,712 | Asphalt - Secondary |
| 02/20 | 515 | 1,690 | Grass - Aeroclub |
| Helipads | |||
| Number | Length | Surface | |
| m | ft | ||
| 12 | 39 | ||
| Statistics (2012) | |||
| Passengers | 5,485,023[2] | ||
| Movements | 121,112 | ||
Christchurch International Airport (IATA: CHC, ICAO: NZCH) 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. Christchurch (Harewood) Airport officially opened 18 May 1940[3] and became New Zealand's first International Airport 16 December 1950.[4] It is the second busiest airport in New Zealand after Auckland by both annual passengers and aircraft movements.
The primary runway, 02/20, is oriented near perpendicular to Canterbury's Nor'wester foehn wind. It is due to this crosswind that the secondary runway, 11/29, is a cross-runway (at a right angle to the primary runway), and is used during Nor'westers by all aircraft up to Boeing 777.
Due to increasing passenger numbers, the airport has completed construction on a new Domestic terminal upgrade costing $237 million. The new construction's primary wing opened in 2011 and was scheduled for full completion in late 2012, with some work such as demolition and apron works finished in early 2013.
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History [edit]
Development of the aerodrome at Harewood commenced in 1936. By 1946 the form of the terminal area development was established with hangars, a small terminal building, the water tower and some barracks buildings. The two runways and parallel taxiway concept was established in the early 1950s and in 1960 a new terminal building, designed by Paul Pascoe,[5] was in operation. Since that time, additions to the buildings, development of parking and access and extensions to the runway/ taxiway/ apron system have been almost continuous.
- 1935 Decision was made by the Council to locate new airport at Harewood as the best site for Christchurch.
- 1937 A 915 metre runway and a 60 square metre terminal constructed
- 1940 The airport became RNZAF Station Harewood.
- 1950 Christchurch Airport received clearance for international operations by the Government.
- 1960 A new Domestic terminal opens designed by local architect Paul Pascoe.
- 1962 The main runway was extended to 2,442 metres providing for commercial jet operations.
- 1966 An international wing was added to the Domestic Terminal.
- 1972 The north-west runway was completely resealed, repainted and extended to 1,741 metres.
- 1975 Extensions to the Domestic Terminal were completed a new pier added, extending the total floor space to 16,000 square metres
- 1984 Main runway extended by 845 metres to 3,287 metres.
- 1987 Terminal extended to accommodate Ansett New Zealand and Air New Zealand lounges and domestic airbridges
- 1998 New International Terminal Building completed creating an additional 28,000 square metres of new floor space
- 2004 Expansion of the International Terminal to create five more international stands and four more international airbridges
- 2009 Work starts on replacing old domestic terminal with a new building to be built over the existing one.
Airport redevelopment [edit]
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. A new 45m tall control tower, positioned close to the new car park building, opened in September 2009.
In early 2009 work on the new terminal commenced. The new terminal replaces 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 inclusive of a separate Regional/Small Aircraft Baggage claim,
- new international customs arrivals area, inclusive of a natural experience of New Zealand [6]
- 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.
Stage 1 of the new terminal, including the new check-in hall, new food/retail precinct, new single domestic security screening, and the new regional departure lounge and baggage claim of the new terminal was completed in May 2011, allowing the old international check-in and the old domestic terminal north of the main pier to be demolished to make way for Stage 2.[7] Stage 2, which includes the new domestic baggage claim and the northern half of the new domestic departure lounge, has been partially completed with the new baggage claim completed in February 2012.
The old domestic terminal has been completely demolished to make way for the new terminal. All construction was completed by late 2012, with some work such as demolition of the old pier continuing into 2013. The new terminal was officially opened by the Prime Minister, the RT Hon John Key on 18 April 2013. Despite 11,000 earthquakes the terminal project was completed on the budget set in 2009. The new terminal is receiving positive feedback for visitors already[8]
Runway improvements [edit]
Runway 11/29 will be widened and extended 244m west into the nearby golf course and a RESA will be added to each end to make it comply with ICAO standards. Eventually all the runways will have a RESA. Also Runway 11/29 may be lengthened up to 2,000m to provide for enhanced take-off capability for Code D (e.g. B767) and Code E (e.g.B777, B787, A350) aircraft flying on medium and long haul routes in northwest wind operational conditions. When completed with peak operation periods both runways will be used simultaneously known as SIMOPS.[9]
Airlines and destinations [edit]
Passenger [edit]
Cargo [edit]
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Air Freight NZ | Auckland, Palmerston North |
| Air Post | Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington |
| Qantas Freight | Sydney |
China Southern Airlines has stated it intends to start a Guangzhou to Christchurch service soon.[16]
Facts & figures [edit]
As the gateway for Christchurch and the South Island, Christchurch International Airport is New Zealand’s second largest airport.
5,592,529 passengers travelled in and out of Christchurch International Airport from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.[17] This represented a decrease by approximately 405,000 (-6.7%) over the same period ending 31 December 2010, as a result of the 2010-2011 Christchurch Earthquakes.
In May 2013 the airport began kicking out travellers who tried to sleep at the airport overnight, [18][19] saying they should find proper accommodation, but backed down after neighbours complained people were sleeping rough outdoors.[20]
Operations [edit]
Military [edit]
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 Navy, 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 [edit]
There are several general aviation organisations operating from the airport. Garden City Helicopters operates from a base adjacent to the airport (ICAO: NZGI). It operates a medivac service using fixed-wing aircraft (NZ Flying Doctor Service) 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 the Canterbury Aero Club. Christchurch International Airport Limited maintains a grass runway parallel to the primary runway. Both Airwork and Vincent Aviation operate regular charter flights from Christchurch to all parts of New Zealand and Australia. Southern DC3 Ltd operates scenic flights over Bank's Peninsula from Christchurch airport.
Access, ground transport, and parking [edit]
A drop off and pick up lane is available on the ground floor of the Multi-level Carpark Building. There are also free parking periods in the Short Term Carpark (30 minutes) and the ground floor of the Multi-level Carpark Building (15 minutes) that may be used for picking up and dropping off passengers.
There is also the option of Off-Airport car parking facilities such as Christchurch Park & Fly offering a low cost alternative to parking at the airport carparks.
A number of different taxi and shuttle companies operate services from the airport terminals.
Three different city bus routes service the airport. Two routes serve the main terminal: the number 3 route to the central city via Avonhead and Riccarton, continuing to Sumner; and the number 29 route to the central city via Fendalton. The Comet bus route services the airport at Orchard Road, a short walk from the terminal, on its route between Papanui and Hornby.
References [edit]
- ^ "Christchurch International Airport Limited Shareholdings". New Zealand Companies office. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ^ http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/en/about-us/corporate-information/facts-and-figures/
- ^ "Christchurch Chronology". Christchurch City Library. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ^ "Christchurch Chronology". Christchurch City Library. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ^ Robertson, Ana. "Pascoe, Arnold Paul - Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
- ^ "Christchurch Airport’s International Arrivals Experience". Future Travel Experience. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ "Terminal Development Plans & Progress". Christchurch International Airport Limited. May 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
- ^ "Christchurch airport opens new terminal building". 18 April 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
- ^ "Amendment of Runway Plan Change". Christchurch City Council. 17 November 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ^ http://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-air-new-zealand-launch-direct-perth-christchurch-flights
- ^ "Lake Tekapo Link: Christchurch-Tekapo-Queenstown". Air Safaris. 17 November 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ^ "Air Westcoast Charters". Air Westcoast. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
- ^ "Passenger flights take off". Oamaru Mail. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ^ "Christchurch closer". Marlborough Express. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
- ^ "Uzbekistan Airways schedule summer 2012". Uzbekistan Airways. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ^ http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-04/10/content_16387949.htm
- ^ "Facts and Figures". Christchurch Airport. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ^ "No more sleeping in Chch Airport". 3 News NZ. May 19, 2013.
- ^ "Christchurch Airport kicks out freeloading tourists". New Zealand Herald. May 18, 2013.
- ^ "Chch airport relaxes sleeping ban". 3 News NZ. May 20, 2013.
External links [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Christchurch International Airport |
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