Christchurch International Airport

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The Christchurch airport (English Christchurch International Airport, IATA code: CHC, ICAO code: NZCH ) is the largest of three airfields of Christchurch, New Zealand. The airport is located about 9 km northwest of the city center in the suburb of Harewood. Due to rising passenger numbers, the airport has been extended to 2009 for 200 million dollars.

Directly attached to the airport is a base of the company Garden City Helicopters, who has stationed ambulance aircraft and a rescue helicopter. Furthermore, flight operations with helicopters through the company Christchurch Helicopters, which has its base in the west of the airport. Next to it is the Canterbury Aero Club, to which the grass runway 01 /19 is one.

The start and runway 02 /20 is almost aligned at right angles to the prevailing main wind direction. Therefore, there is also the smaller train 11/29 perpendicular to the major rail. The little train is regularly used by aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 767.

History

The Christchurch City Council decided in 1935 to build the airfield in Harewood. In 1936, 227 hectares of land bought and 1937, a 915 m long runway and a small terminal building were built. In 1940 the airfield under the name " Harewood Airport " was opened for commercial operations and during the Second World War by the Royal New Zealand Air Force ( RNZAF ) is used for training.

In 1948 a further 260 hectares of land bought in 1950 and Christchurch was the first international airport of New Zealand. In 1953, the "Great London to Christchurch Air Race " was held, in which the distance from London to Christchurch has been covered for the first time in less than 24 hours. From 1955, the operations of the U.S. Air Force began to explore the Antarctic.

1960, a new terminal ( 6,000 m²) and was opened in 1962 the runway was extended to 2,442 meters to allow larger commercial aircraft using the airport. In 1966, the terminal has a special attachment for handling international flights.

In 1975, the terminal was enlarged for domestic flights again and now there were 16,000 m². In 1980, the arrival hall of the international terminal was expanded by 2,800 m². In 1984 the runway was extended to 3,287 m and 1987 the terminal again enlarged.

In 1988, the operating company " Christchurch International Airport Ltd.. " Founded, 75 % owned by the Christchurch City Council and 25% owned by the New Zealand State. In the same year the check-in and departure area for international flights to 2,320 m² has been extended. Only a year later, the arrival area was expanded and further jetways have been added.

1990 International Antarctic Centre was opened in 1997 and rebuilt the car park to create 340 additional parking spaces. 1998, a new international terminal was opened.

Military flight operations

Following the closure of the RNZAF Wigram Air Force Base uses the international airport for passenger and freight services to and from Christchurch. Also warplanes used it in the past.

With the upturn in the exploration of Antarctica in the 1950s Christchurch became an important base for Antarctic flights of the RNZAF and the USAF. During the season for Antarctic flights ( August to February ) are often to be found north of the passenger terminal C-17 Globemaster III and C -130 Hercules on the special advance. From time to time flights with C- 5 Galaxy performed to McMurdo Station. Prior to her decommissioning in 2005 were also encountered frequently C-141 Starlifter.

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