Richard Pearse Airport facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Richard Pearse Airport (Timaru Airport)
Richard Pearse Airport
IATA: TIU ICAO: NZTU
Summary
Airport type	Public
Operator	Timaru District Council
Location	Timaru, New Zealand
Elevation AMSL	89 ft / 27 m
Coordinates	44°18′10″S 171°13′31″E / 44.30278°S 171.22528°E / -44.30278; 171.22528
Website	http://www.timaru.govt.nz/airport.html
Map
TIU Location in South Island
Runway
Runway Length Surface m ft 02R/20L 1,280 4,200 Asphalt 02L/20R 1,188 3,898 Grass 11/29 1,113 3,652 Grass
Sources: AIP and DAFIF

Richard Pearse Airport (IATA: TIU, ICAO: NZTU), also known as Timaru Airport, is located off the Pleasant Point Highway, 4 km north of the suburb Washdyke in Timaru, New Zealand.

History

The airport takes its name from the local pioneer aviator, Richard Pearse, who allegedly flew in powered flight before the Wright Brothers. The airport is a small regional airport with one gate, one asphalt runway and two grass runways. The South Canterbury Aero Club is based at the airport and frequently uses the airport for training and recreational purposes.

There are regular Air New Zealand Link flights to Wellington using Bombardier Q300 aircraft, formerly flights were operated to Oamaru and Christchurch. Timaru, along with Invercargill to its south, are the only major centres without a direct air service to Auckland (although direct Auckland-Invercargill flights are commencing from August 2019). Eagle Airways used to operate from Timaru to Wellington with Beechcraft 1900D aircraft.

The Sign outside Timaru Airport, 2014

Upgrade

A $1.3 million upgrade was approved in November 2015 by the Timaru District Council. The upgrade would increase the current terminal space from 450 square metres to cover almost 600 square metres and would include a new luggage collection area. The upgrade was in response to the increase in capacity on Air New Zealand Link flights to Wellington using the higher capacity Bombardier Q300.

Airlines and destinations