Christchurch Airport welcoming a big summer season

Christchurch International Airport is set to live up to its name with major expansions on routes and airlines just in time for summer. The plans will take flight from October through to December and will see increases in trans-Tasman, American and Asian routes.

Jetstar has expanded their fleet in New Zealand for the first time in over a decade. They will provide flights from Christchurch to Cairns, which until now, has never been available from the South Island.

On top of this, Jetstar will add 180,000 extra seats from December 15 to Melbourne and the Gold Coast. Starting in late October, Qantas will add more than 175,000 seats flying to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Gordon Bevan, General Manager of Aeronautical Development, says for many tourists, Christchurch is the first step on the journey of a lifetime, and it is the journey itself that is the holiday. 

Which is part of the reason Christchurch Airport prides itself as the gateway to the south. Bevan says that tourists don’t necessarily want to have to land in Auckland just to come down south anyway. He reckons part of the experience is jumping straight off a plane, into a caravan, and begin soaking in the scenery on offer.

Emirates flies its A380 aircraft, the world’s largest plane, into Christchurch airport daily. It is the smallest airport globally that calls Emirates home and it is for that exact reason. We spoke to a family of German tourists, who did not want to be named. They had just arrived from Dubai, and said they took Christchurch into consideration when booking, saying they had planned to base themselves out of the South Island. “Being able to start here makes it so much easier”

With major terminal upgrades also set to be unveiled in December, delivering 12 new eateries and entertainment spaces, Christchurch Airport is hoping they start peoples trips off with ease and a big smile. Bevan says that the airport is the place where people start and finish their trips, and it is important they make it a process to remember. “If you get the hub right you get the passengers right.” They have built ahead of time and are looking forward to welcoming the summer season.

Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Southern and United Airlines are also being welcomed back to Christchurch airport with regular flights to major international hubs.