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List of airports in New Zealand facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

New Zealand is a country made up of islands, and that means airports are super important for getting around! Airplanes connect people and goods across the country and to the rest of the world. This page will help you learn about the different airports in New Zealand.

What is an Airport?

An airport is a special place where airplanes take off and land. It's like a bus station or a train station, but for planes! Airports have runways for planes to use, buildings called terminals where passengers wait, and control towers where air traffic controllers guide planes safely.

Airports are very important for:

  • Travel: Helping people fly for holidays, family visits, or business.
  • Trade: Moving goods and products quickly around the country and overseas.
  • Emergencies: Being used by rescue planes or for medical flights.

Different Kinds of Airports

Not all airports are the same! In New Zealand, you'll find different types:

  • International Airports: These are the biggest airports. They handle flights coming from and going to other countries, as well as flights within New Zealand. They have customs and immigration services.
  • Domestic Airports: These airports handle flights only within New Zealand. They connect different cities and towns across the country.
  • Aerodromes or Airfields: These are usually smaller places. They might not have regular passenger flights. Instead, they are used for things like flight training, private planes, helicopter tours, or agricultural spraying.

When you see an airport name in bold on a list, it usually means it has regular passenger flights. If the city name is also in bold, it means it's an international airport.

Important Airports in New Zealand

New Zealand has many airports, but some are much busier than others. Here are some of the main ones:

Major International Airports

These airports are key gateways for New Zealand, connecting it to the world.

  • Auckland Airport (AKL): Located in Auckland, this is the busiest airport in New Zealand. It handles the most international and domestic flights.
  • Christchurch Airport (CHC): This is the main airport for the South Island. It's also an international airport and a busy hub for flights around New Zealand.
  • Wellington Airport (WLG): The airport in Wellington, New Zealand's capital city. It's an international airport and a vital link between the North and South Islands.
  • Queenstown Airport (ZQN): Located in Queenstown, this airport is very popular with tourists, especially those visiting the adventure capital of New Zealand. It also handles international flights.

Key Domestic Airports

These airports are important for travel within New Zealand.

Airport Codes

You might see some strange letters next to airport names, like AKL or CHC. These are special codes that help identify airports around the world!

  • IATA Code: This is a 3-letter code, like AKL for Auckland. It's used by airlines, travel agents, and for baggage tags.
  • ICAO Code: This is a 4-letter code, like NZAA for Auckland. It's used by air traffic controllers and pilots for flight planning and operations. The "NZ" part tells you it's in New Zealand!

Images for kids

  • NewZealandAirportsMap

    Map of airports in New Zealand with scheduled air services

See also

  • Transport in New Zealand
  • List of busiest airports in New Zealand
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List of airports in New Zealand Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.