Nelson Airport (NZNS)
Medium airport · Nelson, Nelson Region, New Zealand
Airport data
| Name | Nelson Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NZNS |
| IATA | NSN |
| Elevation | 17 ft (5 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 41°17'54" E 173°13'16" -41.29830, 173.22099 |
| Location | Nelson, Nelson Region, New Zealand |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/20 | 4,420 ft (1347 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 02L/20R | 2,398 ft (731 m) | 197 ft | GRS | No |
| 06/24 | 1,726 ft (526 m) | 79 ft | GRS | No |
| 17/35 | 1,970 ft (600 m) | 197 ft | GRS | No |
Nelson Airport at a glance
Nelson Airport is a medium airport in Nelson, Nelson Region, New Zealand, known to airline systems as NSN. The field elevation of 17 ft (5 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NZNS 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 4 runways, the longest — 02/20 — offers 4,420 ft (1347 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 NZNS 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 Nelson Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Woodbourne Airport | NZWB | 59 km (32 NM) |
| Wellington International Airport | NZWN | 132 km (71 NM) |
| Westport Airport | NZWS | 145 km (78 NM) |
| Paraparaumu Airport | NZPP | 154 km (83 NM) |
| Hood Airport | NZMS | 205 km (111 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Nelson Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 17 ft field elevation of Nelson 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 Nelson Airport
What is the ICAO code of Nelson Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Nelson Airport is NZNS, and its IATA code is NSN. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Nelson Airport above sea level?
Nelson Airport sits at an elevation of 17 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 Nelson Airport located?
The airport lies at -41.2983, 173.2210 — in Nelson, Nelson Region, New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Woodbourne Airport, about 59 km away.
Does NZNS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NZNS 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 Nelson Airport?
Nelson Airport has 4 runways. The longest, 02/20, measures 4,420 ft (1347 m) with a ASP surface.