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Christchurch Airport will celebrate 75 years of scheduled international flights on June 29, 2026, marking the anniversary of the South Island’s first regular commercial international service.
On June 29, 1951, a DC-4 Skymaster chartered by Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), the predecessor to Air New Zealand, departed Christchurch for Melbourne on what was then a weekly service across the Tasman.
Seventy-five years later, Air New Zealand flight NZ213 will retrace the route, departing Christchurch for Melbourne aboard an Airbus A320neo. The modern aircraft will complete the journey in three hours and 50 minutes, compared with six and a half hours in 1951, while using 25 per cent less fuel per passenger.
Christchurch Airport chief executive Justin Watson says the anniversary highlights the transformation of international aviation over the past three-quarters of a century.
“That first flight was a bold step for Christchurch and the South Island. It connected us directly with Australia and helped open the door to the world,” Justin says.
Air New Zealand general manager domestic and short haul Lucy Hall says Christchurch has played a key role in New Zealand’s international aviation story since the TEAL era.
The anniversary follows the recent announcement of new Air New Zealand international services from Christchurch to Perth, Singapore and Tokyo, further strengthening the airport’s position as the South Island’s international gateway.
