Timaru Airport (NZTU)
Medium airport · Canterbury Region, New Zealand
Airport data
| Name | Timaru Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NZTU |
| IATA | TIU |
| Elevation | 89 ft (27 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 44°18'10" E 171°13'30" -44.30280, 171.22501 |
| Location | Canterbury Region, New Zealand |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/20 | 4,200 ft (1280 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 02L/20R | 3,898 ft (1188 m) | 197 ft | GRS | No |
| 11/29 | 3,652 ft (1113 m) | 295 ft | GRS | No |
Timaru Airport at a glance
Timaru Airport is a medium airport in Canterbury Region, New Zealand, known to airline systems as TIU. The field elevation of 89 ft (27 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NZTU 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 4,200 ft (1280 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 NZTU 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 Timaru Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Oamaru Airport | NZOU | 75 km (41 NM) |
| Pukaki Airport | NZUK | 88 km (48 NM) |
| Glentanner Airport | NZGT | 98 km (53 NM) |
| Mount Cook Airport | NZMC | 106 km (57 NM) |
| Christchurch International Airport | NZCH | 138 km (75 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Timaru Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 89 ft field elevation of Timaru 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 Timaru Airport
What is the ICAO code of Timaru Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Timaru Airport is NZTU, and its IATA code is TIU. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Timaru Airport above sea level?
Timaru Airport sits at an elevation of 89 feet (27 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Timaru Airport located?
The airport lies at -44.3028, 171.2250 — in Canterbury Region, New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Oamaru Airport, about 75 km away.
Does NZTU publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NZTU 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 Timaru Airport?
Timaru Airport has 3 runways. The longest, 02/20, measures 4,200 ft (1280 m) with a ASP surface.