Information and Travel Guide for Christchurch International Airport
Christchurch International Airport (CHC)

Christchurch International Airport is abbreviated CHC. It is the main airport for Christchurch, New Zealand, located only 12 kilometers northwest of the center of the city. It is actually in a suburb called Harewood.

The airport is currently under construction to compensate for increasing passenger numbers. The upgrades are scheduled to go into the year 2013 and will cost a total of around $200 million. It has two terminals, one for international passengers and one for domestic.

History

The Christchurch International Airport was an ongoing project from the time it was first started. The airport started construction in Harewood in 1936, but it did not open officially until later. Construction continued after the airport was actually opened. Expansions have continued almost constantly since the airport was created, one running shortly after the completion of another.

The current expansion project was created in 2006 and construction for it started in 2007. Although some of it is completed, plans are still underway for more construction projects to expand the airport. The parking lots were a large portion of the renovation plans that have already been completed.

A major part of the plans include the construction of a new domestic terminal, which is scheduled to be completed late in the year 2012. The old terminal will be torn down after the old one is completed. Demolition of the old terminal and some additional work are expected to run into the year 2013. Construction is still ongoing for this particular renovation.

Services and Amenities

  • Antarctic Attraction
  • Time Zone arcade
  • Dining - fast food, restaurants, cafes
  • Pharmacies
  • Shopping - Duty free or tax free shopping in some areas in the airport
  • Financial services - Currency exchange, Banks, ATMs
  • Passenger services - Postal service, lost and found, phone and fax
  • Police
  • Wi-Fi service

Parking

The parking lots at Christchurch International Airport are fairly new and very safe and secure. They were part of the remodeling done recently, so some of the parking lots are very new as well.

There is a drop-off zone in one area designated only for vehicles that are dropping someone off. There is also a pick-up zone designated strictly for vehicles that are picking someone up from the airport. This is also the area where taxis, shuttles, buses and coaches will pick up passengers.

Surrounding Atmosphere

Transportation to the rest of New Zealand is very easy. If you are going straight to a motel or hotel, you can get there in a short amount of time. There are many hotels and motels that are very close to the airport. You won't even have to call a cab if you don't want to in order to get to the closest one, which is only a short 5 minute walk from the terminal.

There are vehicle rental services available for you at the airport, as well as taxis and public buses. There are even some tour coaches if you are interested in touring the area before you go anywhere else. This is a fun way to start your trip.

Contact Information:

Address: Christchurch International Airport Ltd, PO Box 14-001, Christchurch, New Zealand
Number of Terminals: 2
Telephone: (0)3 358 5029
Fax: (0)3 353 7730
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.christchurch-airport.co.nz
Time Zone: GMT + 12 (GMT + 13 from the first Sunday in October to the third Sunday in March)
Location: The airport is located 12km (7.5 miles) from Christchurch
Airport code: CHC