CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT review : 27 April 2009 : by Steve Conroy

Customer Rating : 3/5

A very clean and tidy airport, with adequate amenities. Domestic and international are very open, and easy to find your way around. However alo of the positive points are lost on two very odd aspects at the international terminal: firstly, CHC Airport still requires the payment of departure tax at the bank outlet - airlines are not permitted to include it in their fares. Secondly, the entry to customs and the departure lounge remains closed even though the airline check-ins are open and processing passengers. The result is a long queue of angry passengers waiting to clear customs when they eventually decide to open it. This is very unusual, and highly annoying (as noted by previous reviewers). No reason is offered - it's as though it's just for the convenience of customs officials.

CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT review : 7 April 2009 : by J Cobcroft

Customer Rating : 5/5

Christchurch airport is a great little airport. Very efficient and friendly staff with good amenities, clean and comfortable.

CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT review : 3 March 2009 : by David Hughes

Customer Rating : 2/5

Friendly Qantas check in told me that the business lounge was opposite gate 29. They did not say that the international lounge would be closed and we would have to wait outside for almost an hour with no explanation, part of a growing and frustrated crowd. We watched a steady stream of staff enter via keypad each carefully avoiding eye contact with the waiting customers. One group of travellers arriving as staff entered followed to the door but were swiftly repulsed, given short shrift. We were eventually admitted, passed through the formalities and I made for the Qantas business lounge which I found to be closed for a further half an hour with no indication as to why. A passenger paying the business class fare has as part of the expectation free access to the appropriate business lounge, this I believe I paid for when I booked with BA/Qantas why did they not say that the airport would in effect be closed to international passengers. Christchurch is a fine city but it seems to have a part time airport.

Christchurch Airport by D Dale

13 May 2008   Customer Rating :

Qantas domestic is great. No line ups, fast check-in and check-in staff were always friendly. Gate lounge was roomy with views out onto the airside area. Good selection of shops and eateries. There is a public viewing deck for the tarmac and planes. This was very interesting and imagine rare for international airports in this day and age. The domestic and international airports though separate are under one roof which is convenient for those landing and departing internationally and domestically at Christchurch. Just a great little airport with all the comfort of its bigger counterparts across the globe.

Christchurch Airport by M Graham

25 February 2008   Customer Rating :

Christchurch is a nice little airport where you can sit and watch the planes while having something to eat. There is also a viewing deck which is unusual in these days of heightened security. I noticed a useful little play area which seemed to be keeping a lot of children happy. The airport was clean and the staff very polite and friendly.

Christchurch Airport by S Blackburn

21 September 2007   Customer Rating :

Very compact airport with a bright new international wing. Prompt provision on bags on carousel after a Qantas domestic flight. It's also across the road (the walking route is signposted) from the Antarctic base and visitor centre which is well worth a visit if you have 2 or more hours to spare.

Christchurch Airport by Mike Monro

29 January 2007   Customer Rating : n/a

Not a frequent flyer, but manage a trip to Oz most years. Domestic Air New Zealand area often crowded. Qantas domestic area less so. The domestic part of the terminal is quite old, but has plenty of shops. It is unusual not being able to find as seat in the public areas. There is a good outdoor viewing area. The whole international terminal area is new and nice. As most flights to Oz and Singapore leave mid afternoon the check-in area can be crowded from 12.00 onwards. Buy your $25.00 departure fee coupon nice and early! The departure lounge area is all new and a pleasure. The whole airport is quite compact. You can walk from Int. arrival hall to the Domestic area in 2 minutes or so. Transport to the city is a breeze. Plenty of taxis and shuttles. Also $5.00 mini buses that go to the central city. Or take the metro airport bus for about $7.00. Buses run every 20-30 minutes and have GPS. So you can look at a display board and it will tell you when the next bus will arrive.

Christchurch Airport by Dane Spall

21 January 2006

I have just returned back home after visiting NZ, and I must say CHC Airport was a pleasure to use. It is nice and compact and people don't have to walk miles to get from A to B! The immigration staff were very polite and cheerful and there was a great duty free shop near the boarding gates. Even though there was 5 flights departing within an hour of each other to Australia and Singapore it was non chaotic and there was heaps of seating and space. Personally I felt CHC International Airport was a lot better than Auckland International Airport.

Christchurch Airport by Carl Schedlich

23 November 2004

A small airport, with very limited choice of shops and food outlets, though generally pretty quiet. Queues are not a problem and there are plenty of staff on, though some did seem to lack knowledge, a bag of mine got stuck on the X-ray conveyor, and the staff person did not know that the machine could be stopped, let alone how to stop it!

Christchurch Airport by John Kelly

26 May 2004

I live in Christchurch so perhaps I am biased, but I rate it as one of the best around. International arrivals is particularly pleasant, especially considering New Zealand's tight bio-security systems. It's a great feeling to be back home! International economy check-in can get slow and crowded like many these days, and the nearby coffee shop is too small, but once in the spacious departure lounge peace and quiet rule. Domestic arrival and departure is somewhat airline dependant but luggage arrives promptly and it's no distance to transport and car parks. The drive to Christchurch must be the best start to any visit to any country.

Christchurch Airport by Malcolm Hiddleston

12 October 2002

Although it is not big by international standards Christchurch airport in New Zealand is a very nice airport. It has recently just had a major upgrade and is now a very pleasant and efficient airport with friendly staff and beautiful uncluttered facilities. Even in busy periods there never seems to be any sense of panic that one seems to get at the bigger airports. There is a very efficient and reasonably inexpensive shuttle service to the city along one of the most beautiful routes from any airport that I have ever had the pleasure of travelling on. Whilst most travellers to NZ seem to arrive in Auckland it is worth going direct to Christchurch especially if the majority of your visit is in the South Island of NZ.