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, Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, Singapore Airlines to Singapore, China Southern to Guangzhou, Fiji Airways to Nadi and Air New Zealand seasonal to Nada during the winter. 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. Last Update: April 2026 – Spot 6 updated

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
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
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!
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.
TIME	Best light conditions are from sunrise to about 1pm for Runway 02 and from about 3pm till sunset for Runway 29.
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.
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.

On the taxiway, taxiing out for Runway 02

On the taxiway, taxiing in after landing on Runway 29

Landed on Runway 29 B

Landed on Runway 29 A

Landed on Runway 02 B

Landed on Runway 02 A

	Spot #2 – Ryans Rd – 02 arrivals – morning
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.
WHAT	This spot is good for arrivals on Runway 02 if there is too much heat haze on Spot #1.
TIME	Light conditions are perfect until about 1pm.
MISC.	There is some shade from trees on the side of the road but there’s nothing else here so bring what you need.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400 mm

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	Spot #3 – Pound Road – 02 arrivals & departures – afternoon
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. BE AWARE: There is a gate on the site with a whole lot of lights and stuff. Do not go through the gate. It might be good planespotting, but the airport staff can see you and a few spotters nearly got caught last time it was tried.
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.
TIME	Light conditions are good from 1pm till sunset
MISC.	There is nothing here so bring what you need.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-400 mm

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	Spot #4 – 29 departures – afternoon
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!
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.
TIME	Good spot from 3pm
MISC.	There is some shade on the other side of the road but there is nothing else here so bring what you need.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-200 mm

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	Spot #5 – 29 departures – morning
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!
WHAT	Departures on Runway 29 if they’re not too high by here. Also there are low flying helicopters from the nearby hangars.
TIME	Good spot in the morning until early afternoon.
MISC.	There is some shade on the other side of the road. For facilities you can use the nearby Aeroclub.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-200 mm

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	Spot #6 – Aeroclub Terrace – 02/20 arrivals & departures – afternoon; 29 departures – morning
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.
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.
TIME	Light conditions are good from 1pm for Runway 02/20 and from sunrise till 2pm for Runway 29.
MISC.	There is everything you need here except food. You can buy drinks at the machine at the bottom of the stairs.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-400 mm

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	Spot #7 – Jessons Rd – 02/20 arrivals & departures – afternoon
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.
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.
TIME	Light conditions are good from 1pm until sunset
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.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-200 mm

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	Spot #8 – 20 arrival – afternoon
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!
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.
TIME	Light conditions are good from 1pm until sunset.
MISC.	There are trees for shade but nothing else here so bring what you need.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300 mm

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	Spot #9 – Rubbish Dump – 20 arrivals – morning
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.
WHAT	This place is good for Runway 20 arrivals in the morning, with some nice mountain scenery if the mountains are clear of clouds.
TIME	Light conditions are perfect from sunrise till 12 noon.
MISC.	There is nothing here so bring what you need.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400 mm

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	Spot #10 – Military apron Wairakei Rd and NZ Post
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.
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.
TIME	Light conditions are perfect from sunrise till sunset depending on the angle of your photos.
MISC.	Facilities are only available in the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	10-200mm

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	Spot #11 – Military apron terminal side
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.
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.
TIME	Depending on the parking position, light conditions are fine  from sunrise till sunset.
MISC.	You’ll find everything you need in the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-200 mm

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	Spot #12 – 29 arrivals – morning
WHERE	For this spot park your car in Ivan Jamieson Place and walk to get the angle you like for your arrivals.
WHAT	This place is good for aircraft arriving on Runway 29 in the morning/early afternoon.
TIME	Light conditions are good from sunrise till 2pm.
MISC.	There is nothing here so bring what you need.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300 mm

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	Spot #13 – Avonhead Rd – 29 arrivals & departures – late afternoon/evening
WHERE	It is no longer possible to drive all the way to this spot, so park your car at Spot #1  and walk down.
WHAT	Here you can take pictures of planes lining up for departure on Runway 29, plus traffic touching down on Runway 29.
TIME	Light conditions are perfect from 3pm until sunset.
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.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-200 mm

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