Christchurch International Airport

NZCH / CHC

Christchurch, NZ

Last Updated
Mar 4, 10:30Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 24 min ago
10:30Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
13°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 10°C
9 kt
70°
10+ km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR NZCH 041030Z AUTO 07009KT 9999 NCD 13/10 Q1021

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF NZCH 040856Z 0409/0512 07010KT CAVOK BECMG 0413/0415 VRB02KT PROB40 0416/0420 0500 FG BECMG 0422/0424 06010KT BECMG 0507/0509 VRB02KT
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
10:54Z BASE
+0h
VFR 70° 10 kt
Visibility: >10km
13:00Z BECMG
+3h
VFR VRB 2 kt
16:00Z PROB40
+6h
LIFR
Visibility: 0.5 km
Fog
22:00Z BECMG
+12h
VFR 60° 10 kt

24-Hour Weather Evolution

Loading weather data...
Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
Chart Features
  • • Hover for exact values and timestamps
  • • Click legend items to toggle data series
  • • Zoom and pan for detailed analysis
  • • Units automatically converted to preferences
Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
ZCH
01
19
02 ✈️
20
11
29

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
01/19 1,690 ft 229 ft GRS 37°
7.5 kt 4.9 kt
33° angle
✈️ 02/20
Active: 02
10,787 ft 148 ft ASP 41°
5.8 kt 6.9 kt
50° angle
11/29 5,587 ft 148 ft BIT 131°
4.4 kt 7.9 kt
61° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - NZCH

7,735 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
79.9%
MVFR
14%
IFR
4.5%
LIFR
1.6%

Christchurch International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 79.9% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 6.1% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NE averaging 9.3 knots, with gusts recorded up to 35 knots. Temperature extremes range from -2°C to 32°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are September, December, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NE (45°)
Average Speed: 9.3 kt
Maximum Recorded: 35 kt
Calm Winds: 1%
Direction Distribution:
N
9.6%
NE
22.3%
E
17.3%
SE
1.3%
S
12.9%
SW
14.4%
W
10.8%
NW
10.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 14.6°C
Range: -2°C to 32°C
-2°C 32°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0.9%

Best Months for VFR

September December October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 01/19
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.9 kt
Runway 02/20
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.4 kt
Runway 11/29
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6.5 kt

Statistics computed from 7,735 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Christchurch International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: NZCH
IATA Code: CHC
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 123 ft MSL

Location

City: Christchurch
Country: NZ
Latitude: -43.489029°
Longitude: 172.532065°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-12

Runway Information

Runway 01/19
Length: 1,690 ft
Width: 229 ft
Surface: GRS
ILS: No
Runway 02/20
Length: 10,787 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 11/29
Length: 5,587 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: BIT
ILS: No

About Christchurch International Airport

Overview

Christchurch International Airport serves as a critical aviation hub in New Zealand's South Island, positioned near the city of Christchurch at an elevation of 123 feet mean sea level. The airport supports international and domestic operations with three distinct runways, offering significant operational flexibility for various aircraft types and configurations.

Flying Conditions

Located at coordinates -43.489029, 172.532065, the airport experiences variable weather conditions typical of New Zealand's temperate maritime climate. The multiple runway orientations (01/19, 02/20, and 11/29) provide options for managing crosswind and directional challenges, with runway lengths ranging from 1,690 feet to 10,787 feet to accommodate different aircraft requirements.

Notable Features

Christchurch International Airport features three runways with diverse surface compositions: grass (GRS), asphalt (ASP), and bitumen (BIT). The longest runway (02/20) at 10,787 feet provides substantial landing and takeoff capacity, suitable for large commercial and international aircraft operations.

Approach Considerations

Pilots should be prepared to utilize different runways based on wind direction, with runway 02/20 offering the most substantial operational capacity. The varied runway lengths and surface types provide strategic options for approach and landing, with the longest asphalt runway offering the most comprehensive operational capabilities for larger aircraft.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.