Chatham Islands / Tuuta Airport facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chatham Islands Tuuta Airport
The airport terminal
IATA: CHT ICAO: NZCI
Summary
Airport type	Public
Owner	Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust, Inc
Operator	Chatham Islands Airport Limited
Location	Waitangi, Chatham Islands
Elevation AMSL	43 ft / 13 m
Coordinates	43°48′36″S 176°27′26″W / 43.81000°S 176.45722°W / -43.81000; -176.45722
Map
CHT Location in Pacific Ocean
Runway
Runway Length Surface m ft 05/23 1,360 4,462 Bitumen
Sources: New Zealand AIP

The Chatham Islands / Tuuta Airport (airport codes: CHT, NZCI) is an important airport in New Zealand. It is located about 19.4 kilometers (10.5 nautical miles) northeast of Waitangi Township. Waitangi is the main town on the Chatham Islands.

This airport is partly named after Inia William Tuuta. He was a Chatham Islander who generously gave the land for the airport. The airport was finished in 1982. It replaced an older, simpler airstrip at Te Hapupu. That old airstrip was just a compacted grass field. It could only handle slow planes like the Safe Air Bristol Freighter aircraft.

Once the new airport was ready, larger planes could land there. The Armstrong Whitworth Argosy aircraft started flying to the islands right away. They used the new airport until 1990. After that, Mount Cook Airlines and later Air Chathams took over the flights. These airlines connect the Chatham Islands to mainland New Zealand.

There is also a small aviation museum at the airport. This museum shows how important flying has been. It helped the island group grow its economy and connect with the rest of the world.

Air Chathams is the main airline that uses this airport. They fly to several major cities in New Zealand. These include Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington. They often use Convair 580 aircraft for these flights. The Chatham Islands Airport is the main base for Air Chathams. Usually, two of their planes stay there overnight.

Airport Upgrades

In 2012, the New Zealand Government announced plans to improve the airport. This was part of a bigger plan to help the Chatham Islands' economy.

Planned Improvements

• Runway Extension: The runway is planned to be made longer. It will be extended to about 1600 meters (5250 feet). This will allow bigger planes to land more easily and safely.
• New Surface: The runway will also be resurfaced. This means putting a new, smooth layer on top.
• New Buildings: A new building for passengers and airport staff is planned.
• Larger Apron: The apron area, where planes park, will be made bigger.
• New Hangar: A new, large hangar for aircraft storage and maintenance is also planned.

These upgrades will help the airport serve the Chatham Islands better. They will make travel safer and more efficient.

Airlines and Destinations

Passenger Flights

See also

In Spanish: Aeropuerto Tuuta para niños