Christchurch International Airport belies its 'remoteness'; pivotal to New Zealand's tourism

New Zealand is a remote country and Christchurch, on the South Island, a more remote city than either Auckland or Wellington. Being located at the far end of the world must impact on connectivity.

The government has transformed New Zealand from an agrarian economy into a more industrialised, free market one that can compete globally and Christchurch plays its part with specialised industrial and commercial activities. For these reasons, and others - notably tourism - the airport there has established itself as, at least jointly, the country's second most important one. Christchurch airport has also played an important part in the city's recovery from recent serious earthquake events.

This report examines Christchurch International Airport by way of several sets of metrics, looks at the airports that can be considered rivals to it, and at its construction activities and ownership.