Gisborne Airport (NZGS)
Medium airport · Gisborne, Gisborne Region, New Zealand
Airport data
| Name | Gisborne Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NZGS |
| IATA | GIS |
| Elevation | 15 ft (5 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 38°39'48" E 177°58'41" -38.66330, 177.97800 |
| Location | Gisborne, Gisborne Region, New Zealand |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/21 | 3,773 ft (1150 m) | 197 ft | GRS | No |
| 09/27 | 3,839 ft (1170 m) | 197 ft | GRS | No |
| 14/32 | — | — | UNK | No |
| 14L/32R | 2,503 ft (763 m) | 197 ft | GRS | No |
| 14R/32L | 4,298 ft (1310 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Gisborne Airport at a glance
Gisborne Airport is a medium airport in Gisborne, Gisborne Region, New Zealand, known to airline systems as GIS. The field elevation of 15 ft (5 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NZGS 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 5 runways, the longest — 14R/32L — offers 4,298 ft (1310 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 14R points roughly 140° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for NZGS 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 Gisborne Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Wairoa Airport | NZWO | 63 km (34 NM) |
| Whakatāne Airport | NZWK | 124 km (67 NM) |
| Hawke's Bay Airport | NZNR | 131 km (71 NM) |
| Rotorua Regional Airport | NZRO | 157 km (85 NM) |
| Taupo Airport | NZAP | 165 km (89 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Gisborne Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 15 ft field elevation of Gisborne 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 Gisborne Airport
What is the ICAO code of Gisborne Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Gisborne Airport is NZGS, and its IATA code is GIS. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Gisborne Airport above sea level?
Gisborne Airport sits at an elevation of 15 feet (5 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Gisborne Airport located?
The airport lies at -38.6633, 177.9780 — in Gisborne, Gisborne Region, New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Wairoa Airport, about 63 km away.
Does NZGS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NZGS 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 Gisborne Airport?
Gisborne Airport has 5 runways. The longest, 14R/32L, measures 4,298 ft (1310 m) with a ASP surface.