Westport Airport (NZWS)
Medium airport · Westport, West Coast Region, New Zealand
Airport data
| Name | Westport Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NZWS |
| IATA | WSZ |
| Elevation | 13 ft (4 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 41°44'14" E 171°34'45" -41.73711, 171.57903 |
| Location | Westport, West Coast Region, New Zealand |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/22 | 4,200 ft (1280 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
Westport Airport at a glance
Westport Airport is a medium airport in Westport, West Coast Region, New Zealand, known to airline systems as WSZ. The field elevation of 13 ft (4 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NZWS are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 04/22, offers 4,200 ft (1280 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 04 points roughly 40° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for NZWS 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 Westport Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Hokitika Airfield | NZHK | 119 km (64 NM) |
| Nelson Airport | NZNS | 145 km (78 NM) |
| Woodbourne Airport | NZWB | 192 km (104 NM) |
| Christchurch International Airport | NZCH | 210 km (113 NM) |
| Mount Cook Airport | NZMC | 255 km (138 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Westport Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 13 ft field elevation of Westport 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 Westport Airport
What is the ICAO code of Westport Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Westport Airport is NZWS, and its IATA code is WSZ. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Westport Airport above sea level?
Westport Airport sits at an elevation of 13 feet (4 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Westport Airport located?
The airport lies at -41.7371, 171.5790 — in Westport, West Coast Region, New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Hokitika Airfield, about 119 km away.
Does NZWS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NZWS 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 Westport Airport?
Westport Airport has one runway. The longest, 04/22, measures 4,200 ft (1280 m) with a ASP surface.