Christchurch International Airport (NZCH)
Large airport · Christchurch, Canterbury Region, New Zealand
Airport data
| Name | Christchurch International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NZCH |
| IATA | CHC |
| Elevation | 123 ft (37 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 43°29'21" E 172°31'55" -43.48903, 172.53206 |
| Location | Christchurch, Canterbury Region, New Zealand |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/19 | 1,690 ft (515 m) | 229 ft | GRS | No |
| 02/20 | 10,787 ft (3288 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 11/29 | 5,587 ft (1703 m) | 148 ft | BIT | Yes |
Christchurch International Airport at a glance
Christchurch International Airport is a large airport in Christchurch, Canterbury Region, New Zealand, known to airline systems as CHC. The field elevation of 123 ft (37 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NZCH are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 3 runways, the longest — 02/20 — offers 10,787 ft (3288 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 02 points roughly 20° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for NZCH shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Christchurch International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Timaru Airport | NZTU | 138 km (75 NM) |
| Hokitika Airfield | NZHK | 152 km (82 NM) |
| Mount Cook Airport | NZMC | 196 km (106 NM) |
| Glentanner Airport | NZGT | 199 km (107 NM) |
| Oamaru Airport | NZOU | 201 km (109 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Christchurch International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 123 ft field elevation of Christchurch International Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 39 airports and airfields we list for New Zealand — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Christchurch International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Christchurch International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Christchurch International Airport is NZCH, and its IATA code is CHC. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Christchurch International Airport above sea level?
Christchurch International Airport sits at an elevation of 123 feet (37 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Christchurch International Airport located?
The airport lies at -43.4890, 172.5321 — in Christchurch, Canterbury Region, New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Timaru Airport, about 138 km away.
Does NZCH publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NZCH appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Christchurch International Airport?
Christchurch International Airport has 3 runways. The longest, 02/20, measures 10,787 ft (3288 m) with a ASP surface.