Christchurch is the second biggest airport in New Zealand behind Auckland and welcomed almost 7 million passengers in the year to the end of June 2018. So if you’re going to visit this area, don’t forget to make a stop at this interesting airport.
The city is the gateway to the South Island of New Zealand and that’s why Christchurch has a lot of national and several international flights. Flights from and to Australia are especially popular. Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Emirates and Qantas serve the larger cities on the Australian east coast, and seasonally Air New Zealand also serves Perth on the west coast. Other international destinations are Emirates to Dubai via Sydney and Bangkok, Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, Singapore Airlines to Singapore, China Southern to Guangzhou, Fiji Airways to Nadi and Air New Zealand to Nadi, Port Villa, Tokyo, Rarotonga, Osaka, Nagoya and Naha. There are several Air New Zealand and Air New Zealand Link flights to many desitinations all over New Zealand, Soundsair flies their PC12s twice a day to Blenheim and Air Chathams occasionally flies to the Chatham Islands with their Convair580s. Christchurch also hosts a few freight flights.
During the New Zealand summer there are also the planes operating on Antarctic flights out of the military apron, with USAF LC-130Hs being most common.
Written by Patrick Weis and Clive Grant. Updated January 2019.
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| Airport Information |
| Runways | |
| 02/20 | 3.288 m (10.785 ft) Asphalt – primary |
| 11/29 | 1.741 m (5.712 ft) Asphalt – secondary |
| 02/20 | 515 m (1.690 ft) Grass – Aeroclub |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal | All national and international flights |
| Aeroclub | All light planes and occasional national business jets, plus a few helicopter operators |
| Garden City Helicopters | Ambulance helicopter flights and flight training |
| Spotting Information |
| Ladder | A 3 step ladder is very useful in several places |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is recommended, as the afternoon locations are a long way from the terminal |
| Restrooms | Terminal, Aeroclub or McDonalds |
| Drinks/Food | McDonalds near the terminal, some restaurants in the terminal, Aeroclub only drinks in cans |
| Hotels | A few hotels and motels near the airport but no one with a “special” view. |
| Season | We suggest September/October – April. This is the high season for the long haul services and there are additional flights during the New Zealand summertime timetable. |
| Runway Usage |
| 02/20 | Mainly in use for arrivals and departures from both directions. Heavy planes (larger than A320/B737) only depart here in both directions. |
| 11/29 | Only 29 in use, (up to A320/737), when there are strong crosswinds for 02/20. |
| 02/20 – Grass | Small propeller aircraft only. |
 | Spot #1 – Fire Station – 02 arrivals & departures – morning; 29 arrivals & departures – late afternoon/evening |
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| WHERE | This spot is located in a corner right next to the Airport Fire Station at Grays/Avonhead Rd. You can park your car right next to the street here. Its a long walk from the terminal to this spot! |
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| WHAT | You can see all larger aircraft taxiing past you for Runway 02; arrivals and departures on Runway 02 beyond can also be taken from here but they are hidden from view behind the fire station until very late. ATRs, Dash 8s and smaller types departing from Runway 02 will usually take off from further down the runway. You can also take photos of traffic landing and departing on Runway 29 as well as traffic taxiing on the parallel taxiway beyond. |
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| TIME | Best light conditions are from sunrise to about 1pm for Runway 02 and from about 3pm till sunset for Runway 29. |
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| MISC. | A 3 step ladder is needed here, otherwise you’ll have to take photos through the wire fencing. There are only rubbish bins here and there’s no shade so take what you need with you; it’s best if you can relax in your car. There is often heat haze for traffic on Runway 02. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH | An A320 taxiing to Runway 02 will only need about a 40-50mm lens. For traffic on Runway 02, up to 300mm will cover most things, although a 400mm lens is needed for smaller commuterliners. Up to 150-300mm will cover most Runway 29 traffic. |
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 | Spot #2 – Ryans Rd – 02 arrivals – morning |
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| WHERE | From the airport use Highway 1, turn right into Ryan Rd and continue until you see the approach. Park on the grass on the side of the road and spot the inbound planes. |
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| WHAT | This spot is good for arrivals on Runway 02 if there is too much heat haze on Spot #1. |
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| TIME | Light conditions are perfect until about 1pm. |
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| MISC. | There is some shade from trees on the side of the road but there’s nothing else here so bring what you need. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400 mm |
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 | Spot #3 – Pound Road – 02 arrivals & departures – afternoon |
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| WHERE | When the sun moves around from Spot #2, just continue on Ryan Rd and then turn right into Pound Rd.
A 3 step ladder is very useful here, otherwise you’ll need to take photos through the wire fencing. You can park the car right next to the street on the grass. |
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| WHAT | This is the best spot for touchdown and lineup shots for Runway 02 in the afternoon, although many departures will not use the full length of the runway. Some larger Runway 20 arrivals may also be possible from here although heat haze is likely to be a problem. |
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| TIME | Light conditions are good from 1pm till sunset |
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| MISC. | There is nothing here so bring what you need. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-400 mm |
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 | Spot #4 – 29 departures – afternoon |
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| WHERE | Continue on Pound Rd until it turns left. Park your car next to the street on the grass. Don’t park after the traffic bar! |
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| WHAT | This spot is great if they take off on runway 29 and are heavily loaded, otherwise planes can be too high. It’s also a good spot for arrivals if they exit the runway at the end. |
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| TIME | Good spot from 3pm |
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| MISC. | There is some shade on the other side of the road but there is nothing else here so bring what you need. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-200 mm |
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 | Spot #5 – 29 departures – morning |
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| WHERE | Continue on Pound Rd to the other side of Runway 11/29. Park your car next to the street on the grass. Don’t park after the traffic bar! |
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| WHAT | Departures on Runway 29 if they’re not too high by here. Also there are low flying helicopters from the nearby hangars. |
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| TIME | Good spot in the morning until early afternoon. |
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| MISC. | There is some shade on the other side of the road. For facilities you can use the nearby Aeroclub. |
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FOCAL LENGTH
| 18-200 mm |
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 | Spot #6 – Aeroclub Terrace – 02/20 arrivals & departures – afternoon; 29 departures – morning |
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| WHERE | To reach the Aeroclub follow Pound Rd until you see Helipro, turn right into the street and you will see the Aeroclub. Park your car in front on the large car park. Go inside the building and first register yourself at the reception as guest. Then, go up the stairs and past the toilets and go into the big cafeteria where you will see the terrace. Now you can enjoy your stay without any worries, but please sign out once you levae the club. |
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| WHAT | This place is good for 02 and 20 departures and arrivals on the grass and asphalt runways in the afternoon, although for the asphalt runway, heat haze may be a problem due to the distance. It is also good for 29 departures in the morning provided they’re not too high by here. You can also take shots of the parked planes at the Aeroclub. |
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| TIME | Light conditions are good from 1pm for Runway 02/20 and from sunrise till 2pm for Runway 29. |
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| MISC. | There is everything you need here except food. You can buy drinks at the machine at the bottom of the stairs. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-400 mm |
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 | Spot #7 – Jessons Rd – 02/20 arrivals & departures – afternoon |
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| WHERE | Follow Pounds Rd from the Aeroclub until you see the Jessons Rd sign on the right hand side. Turn into the street and follow it until you get to the airport fence at the end. Park your car on the grass on the side. +++ UPDATE APRIL 2019: At the moment the sight is obstructed by diggers so ground pictures are not possible. Only possibilty are the 02 departures. +++ |
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| WHAT | This place is good for Runway 20 arrivals and departures and also for Runway 02 departures; occasionally 02 arrivals may also come this far down before vacating. Depending on the pilot, 20 arrivals may touch down in front of you. The bad thing at this spot is that you see and hear 20 traffic very late. |
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| TIME | Light conditions are good from 1pm until sunset |
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| MISC. | A 3 step ladder is very useful here, otherwise you’ll have to take photos through the wire fencing. There are rubbish bins and some trees for shade. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200 mm |
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 | Spot #8 – 20 arrival – afternoon |
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| WHERE | This place is next to the busy McLeans Island Rd. Park on the grass next to the street and not on the cycle path! |
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| WHAT | From this spot you can only photograph planes on arrival for Runway 20 in the afternoon. You can see the planes much earlier here than at Spot #7. |
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| TIME | Light conditions are good from 1pm until sunset. |
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| MISC. | There are trees for shade but nothing else here so bring what you need. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300 mm |
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 | Spot #9 – Rubbish Dump – 20 arrivals – morning |
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| WHERE | This spot is located at the end of Harewood Rd and is easily reached from the terminals. You can park your car in the car park in Orchard Rd. If the gate is locked, you will need to take photos from here, in which case a 3 step ladder is very useful. If the gate is open, or if you decide to negotiate the bent down fence to the left of the gate, you can walk further onto the site and stand on the mound overlooking the fence. In this case a ladder is not required. |
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| WHAT | This place is good for Runway 20 arrivals in the morning, with some nice mountain scenery if the mountains are clear of clouds. |
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| TIME | Light conditions are perfect from sunrise till 12 noon. |
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| MISC. | There is nothing here so bring what you need. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400 mm |
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 | Spot #10 – Military apron Wairakei Rd and NZ Post |
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| WHERE | For this spot park your car at Peter Leeming Rd or the airport car park and walk up to Wairakei Rd. You can also walk here from the terminal. |
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| WHAT | In Wairakei Rd you can take pictures of military aircraft parked on the apron. You can also walk further up to the NZ Post where you can shoot the parked aircraft on the apron through the wire fencing. Until 2pm, you can also take pictures of planes taxiing to or from the runway at very close range. As this is private ground you must leave this spot if someones tell you to go, but there is no problem as long as you just take your photos and go. |
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| TIME | Light conditions are perfect from sunrise till sunset depending on the angle of your photos. |
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| MISC. | Facilities are only available in the terminal. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH | 10-200mm |
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The Post:
 | Spot #11 – Military apron terminal side |
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| WHERE | You can park your car in Peter Leeming Rd or at the airport car park (15 min free) if you’re here by car. |
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| WHAT | Here you can take pictures of the military planes parked on the apron from another angle. You can also take a picture of the Emirates with the sun behind it when it’s leaving. |
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| TIME | Depending on the parking position, light conditions are fine from sunrise till sunset. |
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| MISC. | You’ll find everything you need in the terminal. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-200 mm |
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 | Spot #12 – 29 arrivals – morning |
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| WHERE | For this spot park your car in Ivan Jamieson Place and walk to get the angle you like for your arrivals. |
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| WHAT | This place is good for aircraft arriving on Runway 29 in the morning/early afternoon. |
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| TIME | Light conditions are good from sunrise till 2pm. |
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| MISC. | There is nothing here so bring what you need. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300 mm |
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 | Spot #13 – Avonhead Rd – 29 arrivals & departures – late afternoon/evening |
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| WHERE | It is no longer possible to drive all the way to this spot, so park your car at Spot #1 and walk down. |
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| WHAT | Here you can take pictures of planes lining up for departure on Runway 29, plus traffic touching down on Runway 29. |
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| TIME | Light conditions are perfect from 3pm until sunset. |
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| MISC. | A 3 step ladder is very useful, otherwise you’ll have to take your photos through the wire fencing. There are some rubbish bins along the fence but there’s nothing else here so bring what you need. |
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| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-200 mm |
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18 Comments
For those interested in photographs of air movements at CHC International Airport, check out this Flickr site:
[ https://www.flickr.com/groups/christchurch-airport/pool/ ].
A great collection of pix…feel free to join the group!
Phil Bee NZ
Great tips. It is very informative post. I would definitely try to follow your tips to live chat. Thanks for sharing this information with us.
Hi, I would to take some photos of the aircraft arriving or leaving Christchurch Airport connected to the summer program to Antarctica. Any information would be appreciated
Hi Maurice!
We just have the information mentioned in our guide, sorry!
Regards
Hi, Maurice,
As the ICE flights are mostly US military, you’ll be hard-pressed to spot them inbound on Flight Radar.
They fly without their transponders on (all very “secret squirrel” stuff!!).
However you’ll see a C-17 or a good ol’ Herc at CHC Airport most days (Spot #11 on this guide).
Happy hunting!
Phil Bee NZ
[ https://www.flickr.com/photos/philbraithwaitenz/ ]
Christchurch now has an Emirates A380 instead of the 777 and it flies from Dubai-Sydney-Christchurch.
you can’t use spot 13 or for they have been closed of but you can go though a little gate and you can see 29 arrivals
The only heavy flights are the China Southern B788, the NZ 763 to Perth on some days, the EK 77W, the SQ 77E and charter flights and diversions
No, there is China Airlines A333, Cathey Pacific A359, Air New Zealand 789, Emirates A388, Singapore Airlines B772 and more about to start like Aisiana
Cobham Intermediate is also good to go plane spotting.
If you go to the field which is what you will see after going through the classes.
It is a good location for 29 arrivals as they fly very low and you have a good view of the aircraft which means you can take several shots of each aircraft.
ANZ don’t fly a 777-300 or 200 in any more Henery and Patrick
Thanks for the update Ryan, it’s a little while ago since my stay at CHC.
Cheers
Patrick
I really like those images, but about what year were these taken because I am a frequent plane spotter at Christchurch airport (check out my channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOWiT3zCLh65qF6H05yoG2Q ) and I wanted to know what time the ANZ 777-300 comes in and departs. Thanks, Henry
Deat Henry,
these shots were taken during my Work and Travel year in Nz from August 2012-January 2013 during the time I lived in CHC.
I think there is still no regularly 777-300er flight from ANZ into CHC just Emirates. The All Black B777-300er was a special
Charter when I was there. The 777-200er of ANZ are more often in CHC. Just Check: https://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/en/flight-information/international-flight-schedules/ for the international Flights and Types. That was the plan I used most of the time for my spotting.
Cheers
Patrick
Jessons rd is currently blocked by diggers
But you can walk there anyway?
-Julian
Yes. Blocked by diggers on the viewing area. You have to view through fencing and the diggers block it.
Okay left a note. Please let us know when they are gone. Thanks, Julian