25 Oct 2017

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An expanded passenger terminal and a series of minor runway extensions are part of future expansion plans for Christchurch’s busy international airport.

Christchurch International Airport Ltd has today released its latest master plan and a short animated video which reveals its vision for the airport in 2040.

By that point it is expected about 20,000 people will be working at the airport.

CIAL Chief Executive Malcolm Johns says the airport reviews its long term planning for land-use and infrastructure every 10 years. He says the video released today shares that thinking and is the end result of about two years work.

“Christchurch Airport is a leader in future thinking, as demonstrated through our partnership in the country’s first autonomous vehicle trial and the world-first partnership with Alibaba,’’ Mr Johns says.

“We are conscious that the airport currently underpins the generation of 2.1 billion dollars in regional GDP and that creates more than 60,000 jobs.’’

Mr Johns says the 2040 airport would see Memorial Avenue extended, to create a “grand avenue” to an expanded terminal to cater for forecast passenger growth.

A series of minor runway extensions would cater for larger and more frequent aircraft, without a need for major changes to the airfield or noise impacts in residential areas

Mr John says the latest Master Plan gives the airport a framework to deliver future growth while making the most of exciting innovations in technology and sustainable management, which are likely to form an important part of society’s evolution over the next 20-30 years.