Christchurch International Airport

Christchurch International Airport

Aerial view of the airport
IATA: CHC – ICAO: NZCH
Summary
Airport type Public/Military
Owner Christchurch City Council (75%)
NZ Government (25%)[1]
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°E / -43.48944; 172.53222Coordinates: 43°29′22″S 172°31′56″E / 43.48944°S 172.53222°E / -43.48944; 172.53222
Website www.christchurchairport.co.nz
Map
CHC

Location of the airport in Christchurch

Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
02/20 3,288 10,785 Asphalt - Primary
11/29 1,741 5,712 Asphalt - Secondary
02/20 [2] 515 1,690 Grass - Aeroclub
Helipads
Number Length Surface
m ft
3 12 39 Grass
Statistics (January 2015 to December 2015)
Passengers (Total) 6,092,827[3]
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 on 18 May 1940[4] and became New Zealand's first international airport on 16 December 1950.[4] It is the second busiest airport in New Zealand after Auckland by both annual passengers and aircraft movements. Christchurch along with Auckland are the only two airports in New Zealand to regularly handle Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 aircraft.[5] The airport is curfew free operating 24 hours a day.

The prevailing wind in Christchurch is from the north-east and to a lesser extent from the south-west, but the city is also affected by Canterbury's nor'wester foehn wind. As a result, the airport has two perpendicular runways: a 3288 m primary runway (02/20) orientated with the north-easterly and south-westerly prevailing winds, and a 1741 m secondary runway (11/29) orientated for use during nor'westers. The airport also has a third grass runway, parallel to the primary runway, for use by general aviation.[6]

Due to increasing passenger numbers, the airport has completed construction of a major terminal upgrade. The new construction's primary wing opened in 2011 and the upgrade was completed in 2013.

The former 1960 terminal building and control tower designed by Paul Pascoe
Two Mount Cook Airline ATR 72s at the terminal
A departing Air New Zealand Boeing 747-400 in 2010
Air New Zealand British Aerospace 146 at Christchurch in 2005
View of the new domestic terminal under construction
Former Nationwide Air Aviation Traders Carvair at Christchurch in 1977
Passengers disembarking from a Qantas Boeing 747-200 on the tarmac in 1978
View of the tarmac from the old roof deck
Uzbekistan Airways Boeing 767-300ER on a regular charter with fishing crews at Christchurch in 2014
Air traffic control tower at night, December 2013
Check-in hall, December 2013
Aerial view of the terminal, September 2014
China Southern Airlines Boeing 787-8 on the taxiway at Christchurch Airport, February 2015.
The view of the apron looking north from Gate 17, April 2015.

History

In 1935 a decision was made by the local council to locate a new aerodrome at Harewood as the best site for Christchurch. Development of the aerodrome at Harewood commenced in 1936 when 227 hectares of land was purchased. In 1937 a 915-metre runway and a 60 square metre terminal were constructed.[7] In 1940 the airport became RNZAF Station Harewood. By 1946 the form of the terminal area development was established with hangars, a small terminal building, the water tower and some barracks buildings. In 1950 Christchurch Airport received clearance for international operations from the government. The two runways and parallel taxiway concept was established in 1953—runway 02/20 at 2.012 metres and 11/29 at 1,741m. In 1954 TEAL introduced Douglas DC-6 aircraft to its trans-Tasman services. In February 1960 a new terminal building, designed by architect Paul Pascoe,[8] was brought into operation.

During 1963 the main runway was extended 427m southwest to 2,442 metres, providing for commercial jet operations. In April 1965 scheduled Boeing 707 jet services started, by Qantas to Sydney. Later in 1966 an international wing was added to the domestic terminal. In October 1968 NAC operated its first Boeing 737 to the airport. SAFE Air introduced a Chatham Island air link to Christchurch in December 1969. In 1972 the north-west runway was completely resealed and repainted. The first scheduled Boeing 747 service arrived on 3 December 1972, a Qantas flight from Sydney. Air New Zealand introduced its DC-10 aircraft to trans-Tasman services at the end of October 1973.

Extensions to the domestic terminal were completed in 1975 with a new two level pier added, extending the total floor space to 16,000 square metres. In October that year, Air New Zealand began a weekly DC-8 service linking Christchurch to Nadi, Rarotonga and Papeete. Air New Zealand opened its No.1 Hangar at the airport in August 1979. In December 1980 the two Australian domestic airlines Ansett and Trans Australia Airlines commenced scheduled services from Hobart within a few days of each other.[9] In July 1984 a main runway extension was completed, the runway was lengthened 845 metres to the northeast, to a total of 3,287 metres. In February 1985 Newmans Air started scheduled de Havilland Canada Dash 7 services on the tourist routes. The first ever Air New Zealand Boeing 767 service to Melbourne and the inaugural Air New Zealand Boeing 747-200 service to Los Angeles via Honolulu and Nadi (known as the southern connection) departed in October 1985.[10] In October 1986 Singapore Airlines started Boeing 747 services to the city. The following month the first British Airways Boeing 747 flight from London arrived. In July 1987 Ansett New Zealand started flying on domestic trunk routes using Boeing 737 aircraft. Also in 1987 the terminal was extended to accommodate Ansett New Zealand and new Air New Zealand lounges; and domestic airbridges were added. Thai Airways began a weekly DC-10 service from Bangkok in November 1988. In March 1989 Air New Zealand introduced a weekly Boeing 747 service from Tokyo and the following month a Boeing 767 service to Perth was introduced. Also in April 1989 saw the first visit to Christchurch by a British Airways Concorde, on a world tour. In September 1990 stage 1 of the International Antarctic Centre tourist attraction was officially opened.

Air Pacific (now Fiji Airways) started a weekly direct flight to Nadi, Fiji in April 1993. Korean Airlines commenced flying to Christchurch in July 1994 using MD-11 aircraft, this was a weekly service from Seoul.[11] In April 1997 Origin Pacific Airways started operations at the airport with flights to Nelson. The Canterbury Aero Club opened a new complex to the north-west side of the airport in October 1998. In September 1998 the new international terminal building was completed, creating an additional 28,000 square metres of floor space. In 2004 expansion of the international terminal was completed to create five more international stands and four more international airbridges. Pacific Blue Airlines commenced trans-Tasman flights from Christchurch (its New Zealand base) in January 2004. Emirates started flying to Christchurch from Dubai and Melbourne with Airbus A340 aircraft in July 2004. Jetstar started serving the city with trans-Tasman flights in December 2005. Construction of the five level carpark building commenced in March 2006. Origin Pacific ceased operations in September 2006.

In April 2011 Air Asia X commenced Airbus A330 services to Kuala Lumpur; these were short lived, ending in May 2012. China Airlines began operating seasonal flights to Christchurch from Taipei via Sydney with Airbus A330 aircraft in December 2014.[12]

Airport redevelopment

Christchurch Airport underwent an extensive expansion project, beginning in March 2006 when construction commenced on a new multi-storey $13 million car park building which opened early in 2007.[13] The new building provided 570 new covered car spaces. 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 a new terminal building. A new 45m tall control tower, positioned close to the new car park building, opened in September 2009. A separate $20 million regional lounge was constructed in 2010 in a joint venture by Air New Zealand and CIAL.

In early 2009 work commenced on replacing the old domestic terminal with a new integrated terminal precinct (ITP) to be built over the existing one. The new terminal replaced the existing aging domestic terminal and expanded the facilities of the much newer international terminal. The new building includes:

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.[15] Stage 2, which includes the new domestic baggage claim and the northern half of the new domestic departure lounge was completed in February 2012.

The old domestic terminal was 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. Between 200 and 400 workers were active on the site each work day for almost four years. Despite 11,000 earthquakes, the terminal project was completed on budget. The new terminal was officially opened by Prime Minister John Key on 18 April 2013.[16][17]

Runways

The preferred option by the airport company for increasing the capacity of the existing runways is by introducing independent operations. This can be achieved by adding a 300m extension to the north-eastern end of the main runway 20/02 which would give it a total length of 3,600m. When the prevailing north-easterly winds are blowing this would allow for intersection departures for most aircraft types while other aircraft land on runway 11. Large wide body aircraft would still have to use the full length of the runway.[18] Runway 11/29 would be widened and extended 244m north-west into the Harewood golf course; the airport has purchased land from the club already. A runway end safety area (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 (Boeing 767-sized aircraft) and Code E (Boeing 777, Boeing 787, Airbus 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.[19] Statistics indicated that Runway 02 was used 70% of the time, Runway 20 at 20%, Runway 29 at 8% and Runway 11 (predominantly for landings) at 2% of the time.

Terminal and gates

Christchurch Airport consists of a single terminal which caters for both domestic and international flights. It is situated at the intersection of the two sealed runways. The main terminal building contains a combined check-in hall for both domestic and international flights. It has 58 check-in counters, in addition to self-service check-in kiosks. A common baggage claim hall is also located on the ground floor.[20] There is a large retail area on the first floor, with many food and retail outlets as well as waiting areas. A major feature of the terminal is a $15 million state-of-the-art baggage handling system, which is 750 metres long.[21] The airport has 33 gates in total. The regional wing is located in the south-west of the terminal, and handles all Air New Zealand Link turboprop flights. It has 12 gates, numbered 3-14. The central zone handles mainline Air New Zealand and Jetstar domestic services and has eight gates (15-22); all (except Gate 15, which can be shared with turboprops) are equipped with jetbridges. The international wing is located in the north-east section of the terminal and has 12 gates (24-35), all except 31 and 33 have jetbridges. Gates 21/24 and 22/25 are shared swing gates which can be used for domestic or international flights as the need arises.

The size of the new integrated terminal at Christchurch Airport is 77,591m².

Airlines and destinations

As of April 2015, Christchurch airport is served by 12 airlines with scheduled services. The airport has direct flights to 18 domestic and 11 international destinations. A total of 900 scheduled domestic and 157 international flights arrive and depart each week.[22]

Passenger

AirlinesDestinations
Air Chathams Chatham Islands
Air New Zealand Auckland, Brisbane, Dunedin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Queenstown, Sydney, Wellington
Seasonal: Nadi, Perth, Rarotonga
Air New Zealand Link
operated by Air Nelson 		Dunedin, Hamilton, Hokitika, Invercargill, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Tauranga, Wellington
Air New Zealand Link
operated by Mount Cook Airline 		Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Queenstown, Rotorua, Wellington
China Airlines Seasonal: Melbourne,[23][24] Sydney,[25] Taipei-Taoyuan
China Southern Airlines Guangzhou[26]
Emirates Dubai-International, Sydney
Fiji Airways Nadi
Jetstar Airways Auckland, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington
Qantas Brisbane,[27][28] Melbourne (resumes 4 December 2016),[29] Sydney
Qantas
operated by Jetconnect 		Sydney
Singapore Airlines Singapore
Sounds Air Blenheim,[30] Kaikoura[31]
Virgin Australia Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
Seasonal: Rarotonga[32]

A notable irregular visitor to the airport is Uzbekistan Airways, which flies to Christchurch every six months, operating Boeing 767 charters from Tashkent via Kuala Lumpur carrying Russian fishing crews.[33]

Cargo

AirlinesDestinations
Parcelair
operated by Airwork 		Auckland, Palmerston North
Qantas Freight Sydney

Facts and figures

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

A total of 5,709,272 passengers travelled in and out of Christchurch International Airport in the 12 months to 31 July 2014, an increase of 3.6 percent over the previous year.[34]

Statistics

Operational statistics
Year Passenger
movements		 Operating revenue

($NZ thousand)		 Aircraft
movements
20034,593,21954,94486,701[35]
20045,136,07563,27390,794[36]
20055,556,32570,82488,828[36]
20065,472,16274,71586,196[37]
20075,484,57083,70082,134[38]
20085,905,21189,40084,092[39]
20095,908,07789,20082,073[40]
20106,000,41493,60079,016[41]
20115,775,70097,90075,529[42]
20125,551,600113,10073,184[43]
20135,500,375118,50071,715[44]
20145,690,000130,70071,201[45]
20156,092,827[46]159,000[47]104,670

Traffic

Busiest Australian routes into and out of Christchurch Airport (2014)[48]
Rank Airport Passengers % Change Carriers
1 Sydney 481,849Increase 5.8 Air New Zealand, China Airlines, Emirates, Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Australia
2 Melbourne272,320Increase 5.4 Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Virgin Australia
3 Brisbane204,313Increase 1.7 Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia
4 Gold Coast85,444Increase 10.5 Air New Zealand, Jetstar
5 Perth14,181Increase 523.1 Air New Zealand
Busiest domestic routes into and out of Christchurch Airport (2012)[48]
Rank Airport Passengers % Change Carriers
1 Auckland1,134,558Increase 0.1 Air New Zealand, Jetstar
2 Wellington789,796Increase 0.3 Air New Zealand, Jetstar
3 Dunedin378,567Increase 0.1 Air New Zealand
4 Queenstown243,368Increase 0.1 Air New Zealand

Operations

Military

United States Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III on the tarmac at Christchurch Airport
NASA 747-SP "SOFIA" at the gate in Christchurch, 2015

Since the closure of RNZAF Base Wigram, 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.

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, the United States Air Force, the United States Air National Guard and the Royal New Zealand Air Force as part of Operation Deep Freeze.

SOFIA

In July 2013 a Boeing 747SP modified as the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) airborne space telescope landed at the airport. A spokesman said it was likely that Christchurch would be a winter base for SOFIA for twenty years. The city was chosen as a southern hemisphere base because of the long airport runway; and the favourable atmospheric conditions and relatively empty airspace in southern New Zealand.[49]

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), charter flights and also operates the rescue helicopter in Canterbury with a secondary helipad in Hagley Park adjacent to Christchurch Hospital (ICAO: NZJC).[50] Christchurch International Airport Limited maintains a grass runway parallel to the primary runway for the Canterbury Aero Club.[51] Among the general aviation companies, Mainland Air operates flights to Oamaru.[52] Air Safaris runs a link service to Lake Tekapo Airport.[53]

Aviation Services

The Christchurch Engine center established in 1953 is located at the airport its a joint facility run by Pratt & Whitney and Air New Zealand. The full MRO service is offered to IAE V2500 engines. Formerly PW JT8D engines and Rolls Royce Dart were overhauled at the facility.[54] Air New Zealand has several maintenance facilities at the airport such as Hangar 1 (which can accommodate 6 Code C aircraft) and Hangar 3 (3 Code B aircraft) that overhaul many aircraft types plus a painting facility.

Access, ground transport, and parking

The main access road into the airport connects to both State Highway 1 and Memorial Avenue at a roundabout. The distance from the airport to the city centre is roughly 10 km (6.2 mi).

A drop off and pick up area called 'The Loop' is available on the ground floor of the multi-level car park building, and both onsite and offsite parking, with free shuttles, are available. A number of different taxi and shuttle companies operate services from the airport terminals. Travel time from the airport to the city centre is approximately 15–20 minutes. Prices vary by taxi company and you are advised to ask before beginning your journey. The standard fare is usually around NZ$$45-$65.

Three different city bus routes service the airport terminal.[55] The Purple route to the central city via Avonhead and Riccarton, continuing to Sumner; the number 29 route to the central city via Fendalton; and the number 125 on its route from Redwood to Halswell.

Accidents and incidents

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Christchurch International Airport Limited Shareholdings". New Zealand Companies office. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  2. ↑ http://www.flyingnz.co.nz/pdfs/industry/CH_grass.pdf
  3. ↑ "December 2015 Market Report" (PDF). Christchurch Airport. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Christchurch Chronology". Christchurch City Library. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  5. ↑ Bayos, Kris (7 September 2016). "Emirates to deploy A380 aircrafts [sic] to Christchurch in October, offer non-stop Dubai-Auckland flights". International Business Times. IBT Media Inc. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  6. ↑ Technical Information
  7. ↑ "Airport History". Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  8. ↑ Robertson, Ana. "Pascoe, Arnold Paul - Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  9. ↑ Phillips (2013), p.130
  10. ↑ Phillips (2013), p.145
  11. ↑ Phillips (2013), p.169
  12. ↑ UBM Information Ltd. 2015 (7 August 2014). "China Airlines Adds Seasonal Christchurch Link from Dec 2014". Routesonline. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  13. ↑ "Airport parking work to begin". CCC.Govt.NZ. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  14. ↑ "Christchurch Airport's International Arrivals Experience". Future Travel Experience. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
  15. ↑ "Terminal Development Plans & Progress" (PDF). Christchurch International Airport Limited. May 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  16. ↑ "Christchurch airport opens new terminal building". 18 April 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  17. ↑ Phillips (2013), pp.258–259
  18. ↑ Phillips (2013), p.196
  19. ↑ "Amendment of Runway Plan Change" (PDF). Christchurch City Council. 17 November 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  20. ↑ "Christchurch Airport opens new terminal with more services". Australian Business Traveller. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  21. ↑ "Home - Hawkins". Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  22. ↑ "Weekly International Schedule for Week Commencing: 20 Apr 2015" (PDF). Christchurch Airport. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  23. ↑ "China Airlines begins Melbourne service". Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  24. ↑ http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan-business/2015/07/22/441309/China-Airlines.htm
  25. ↑ "China Airlines boosts Chch flights". Stuff. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  26. ↑ "China Southern Adds Rome and Christchurch Scheduled Service from mid-Dec 2015". Airlineroute.net. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  27. ↑ "Qantas reports jumbo $1 billion profit". NZ Herald. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  28. ↑ http://airlineroute.net/2016/02/24/qf-chcbne-jun16/
  29. ↑ "QANTAS GROWS TO MEET ASIA PACIFIC DEMAND" (Press release). Qantas. 27 July 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  30. ↑ "Sounds Air to replace Air NZ on Christchurch to Blenheim route". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  31. ↑ "Sounds Air starts special flights to quake-hit Kaikoura". Newshub. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  32. ↑ "Virgin Australia Adds Christchurch – Rarotonga Link June – Oct 2016". Airline Route. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  33. ↑ "Uzbekistan Airways Plans Christchurch Charter Service in Apr/May 2013". Routes Online. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  34. ↑ "Facts and Figures". Christchurch Airport. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  35. ↑ http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/media/27948/2004_annual_report.pdf
  36. 1 2 http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/media/27819/2005_annual_report_introduction.pdf
  37. ↑ http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/media/27772/2006_annual_report.pdf
  38. ↑ http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/media/27733/2007_annual_report.pdf
  39. ↑ http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/media/27721/cial_annual_report_08_with_web_disclosure.pdf
  40. ↑ http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/media/27697/cial_annual_report_2009.pdf
  41. ↑ http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/media/27473/2010_cial_report.pdf
  42. ↑ http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/media/27354/cial_annual_report_2011.pdf
  43. ↑ http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/media/557923/cial_annual_report_2012.pdf
  44. ↑ http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/media/598403/cial_annual_report_2013.pdf
  45. ↑ http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/media/729027/cial_annual_report_2014.pdf
  46. ↑ http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/media/793406/16-chc-0141-market-results-dec15-01.pdf
  47. ↑ http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/media/779659/cial_2015_annual_report_spreads_lr.pdf
  48. 1 2 International Airline Activity—Annual Publications
  49. ↑ "Space telescope touches down". Stuff. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  50. ↑ "Garden City Aircentre, Garden City Helicopters, Garden City Air Exec Christchurch Nelson Greymouth". Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  51. ↑ Super User. "Canterbury Aero Club - New Zealand Flight Training, Scenic and Charter - Canterbury Aero Club (CAC)". Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  52. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
  53. ↑ http://www.airsafaris.co.nz/flights/chch_qt_link/
  54. ↑ "The History of Christchurch Engine Centre". PWNZ. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  55. ↑ "Pages - Maps & Timetables". Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  56. ↑ Accident description for ZK-AYH at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 15 October 2014.
  57. ↑ "Plane crash victims named as search goes on for clues". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  58. ↑ "Foiled hijack attempt: Pilots fight for control". Stuff. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  59. ↑ Rutherford, Hamish (18 November 2014). "Gerry Brownlee fined for airport security breach". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 18 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.

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