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, and was opened in 1953.^[2]

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 Boeing 767 size; while larger aircraft like the Boeing 777 can land on it,^[3] they cannot manoeuvre onto the end taxiway and must be towed back.^{[4][not in citation given (See discussion.)]}.

Due to increasing passenger numbers, the airport is completing construction on a new Domestic terminal upgrade costing over $200 million. The new construction's primary wing opened in 2011 and is scheduled for completion in late 2012, with some work such as demolition and apron works continuing into 2013.^[5]

History

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 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.

• 1937 A 915 metre runway and a 60 square metre terminal constructed
• 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, 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^[6]

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. 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 ^[7]
• 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 the new domestic baggage claim and half the new domestic departures lounge.^[8]. At the present time the old Terminal buildings, that were between the Domestic and International check-in area, are still being used for domestic departures and are connected to the new Retail facilities by way of a temporary walkway, the regional Airway departures gate has remained in the same location but with a new walkway area from the combined check-in area to the Lounge at the South side of the Airport.

The old domestic terminal will eventually be completely demolished to make way for the new terminal. All construction is expected to be completed by late 2012, with some work such as demolition continuing into 2013.^[9]

Airlines and destinations

Cargo

Facts & figures

As the gateway for Christchurch and the South Island, Christchurch International Airport is New Zealands second largest airport.

6,000,414 passengers travelled in and out of Christchurch International Airport from 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010^[10]. The last year CIAL has experienced consistent, record growth in international passenger volumes.^[11]

Operations

Military

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

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.

Access, ground transport, and parking

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.

A number of different taxi and shuttle companies operate services from the airport terminals.

Three different city bus routes service the airport. The number 3 to Sumner via the city, Avonhead and Riccarton, number 10 via Merivale and number 29 via Fendalton. All buses arrive and depart from international coach park, at the end of the International Arrivals Hall.

References

External links

• Airport website
• CIAL's commercial property website
• Canterbury Aero Club website