New Plymouth Airport (NZNP)
Medium airport · New Plymouth, Taranaki Region, New Zealand
Airport data
| Name | New Plymouth Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NZNP |
| IATA | NPL |
| Elevation | 97 ft (30 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 39°0'31" E 174°10'44" -39.00860, 174.17900 |
| Location | New Plymouth, Taranaki Region, New Zealand |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05L/23R | 4,298 ft (1310 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 05R/23L | 3,281 ft (1000 m) | 98 ft | GRS | No |
| 14/32 | 3,937 ft (1200 m) | 131 ft | GRS | No |
New Plymouth Airport at a glance
New Plymouth Airport is a medium airport in New Plymouth, Taranaki Region, New Zealand, known to airline systems as NPL. The field elevation of 97 ft (30 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NZNP 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 — 05L/23R — offers 4,298 ft (1310 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 05L points roughly 50° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for NZNP 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 New Plymouth Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Wanganui Airport | NZWU | 129 km (70 NM) |
| Hamilton International Airport | NZHN | 162 km (87 NM) |
| Taupo Airport | NZAP | 168 km (91 NM) |
| RNZAF Base Ohakea | NZOH | 169 km (91 NM) |
| Palmerston North Airport | NZPM | 191 km (103 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for New Plymouth Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 97 ft field elevation of New Plymouth 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 New Plymouth Airport
What is the ICAO code of New Plymouth Airport?
The ICAO identifier of New Plymouth Airport is NZNP, and its IATA code is NPL. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is New Plymouth Airport above sea level?
New Plymouth Airport sits at an elevation of 97 feet (30 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is New Plymouth Airport located?
The airport lies at -39.0086, 174.1790 — in New Plymouth, Taranaki Region, New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Wanganui Airport, about 129 km away.
Does NZNP publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NZNP 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 New Plymouth Airport?
New Plymouth Airport has 3 runways. The longest, 05L/23R, measures 4,298 ft (1310 m) with a ASP surface.