Airport code
CHC — Christchurch International Airport
CHC is the IATA code for Christchurch International Airport, an airport serving Christchurch, New Zealand. Its ICAO code is NZCH, and it operates in the Pacific/Auckland time zone (UTC+12). The airport sits at -43.4894, 172.5320 in the Southern Hemisphere, at an elevation of 123 ft (37 m).
Overview
About Christchurch International Airport
Christchurch Airport is an international airport serving Christchurch, New Zealand. It is located 12 km (7.5 mi) to the northwest of the city centre, in the suburb of Harewood. Christchurch (Harewood) Airport officially opened on 18 May 1940 and became New Zealand's first international airport on 16 December 1950. It is New Zealand's second busiest airport by annual passengers and aircraft movements, after Auckland and only one of two airports in New Zealand that regularly handle the Airbus A380 aircraft. The airport is curfew free, operating 24 hours a day.
Reference data
Airport information
| IATA code | CHC |
|---|---|
| ICAO code | NZCH |
| Airport name | Christchurch International Airport |
| City | Christchurch |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Time zone | Pacific/Auckland (UTC+12) |
| Latitude | -43.4894 |
| Longitude | 172.5320 |
| Elevation | 123 ft (37 m) |
| Airport type | Large airport |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Runways | 3 |
| Longest runway | 10,787 ft (3,288 m) |
| Map | View on OpenStreetMap ↗ |
Reference data last updated 24 July 2026.
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Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the IATA code for Christchurch International Airport?
The IATA code for Christchurch International Airport is CHC.
What is the ICAO code for Christchurch International Airport?
The ICAO code for Christchurch International Airport is NZCH.
Where is CHC airport located?
Christchurch International Airport (CHC) is located in Christchurch, New Zealand.
What time zone is CHC in?
Christchurch International Airport operates in the Pacific/Auckland time zone, which is UTC+12.
What is the nearest airport to CHC?
The nearest airport to Christchurch International Airport (CHC) is Timaru Airport (TIU) in Timaru, about 138 km away.
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