Christchurch International Airport
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Christchurch International Airport (IATA Airport Code: CHC) is an airport that serves Christchurch, New Zealand. It is located nine kilometres to the northwest of the city centre, in the suburb of Harewood.
Civil Operations
The following airlines fly to the airport:
- Air New Zealand
- Chatham Islands Airlines
- Emirates
- Freedom Air
- Pacific Blue
- Origin Pacific Airways
- Qantas
- Singapore Airlines
- Air Pacific (seasonal)
- Korean Air (seasonal)
Garden City Helicopters also 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.
Military Operations
Since the closure of Wigram Air Force Base, the New Zealand Air Force always flies to Christchurch 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 the flights operated in the main by the United States Air Force and RNZAF. During the Antarctic flying season, which generally operates from August to February, C-17, C-130, LC-130 and C-141 aircraft are often seen on the Antarctic Apron north of the main passenger terminals. Occasionally the C-5 aircraft also operates for one or two flights early in the season onto the sea ice runway at McMurdo. 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 The C-17 is also generally seen earlier in the season at present, but when the C-141 type is withdrawn the C-17 will be seen much more often.