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Christchurch Airport said a sad farewell to the mighty RNZAF C-130 Hercules yesterday, as three aircraft flew the length of the runway for the final time at 12.25pm before overflying Christchurch City on their New Zealand-wide retirement flight.
Hundreds of aviation enthusiasts lined the roads around the airport, eager for one last glimpse of the legendary aircraft.
The airport has had a long and proud affiliation with the Hercules, which has played a critical role in supporting Antarctic missions for decades. The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has provided scientific research and transport operations to Antarctica since the 1950s.
A typical RNZAF Hercules flight to the ice takes around seven hours, carrying scientists, passengers, and essential cargo to support research programs. The Hercules has been a mainstay of Operation Antarctica, one of the New Zealand Defence Force’s largest summer deployments and most enduring missions, with Christchurch Airport serving as the launchpad for these vital flights.
The Hercules played a vital role in the response to the February 22, 2011, earthquake, with RNZAF squadrons and units providing aerial imagery of damaged infrastructure and transporting Urban Search and Rescue and other essential personnel to Christchurch.
The aircraft was instrumental in establishing an airbridge between Christchurch and Wellington, helping to evacuate more than 4800 civilians and delivering more than 300,000 kilograms of essential supplies from Wellington and Auckland.
At the peak of operations, three Hercules aircraft worked tirelessly to ferry casualties and stranded tourists to the North Island—the largest single movement of personnel and freight in RNZAF history.
The Hercules—and the unmistakable hum of its four engines—has been a beloved presence in Canterbury skies and a favourite among aviation enthusiasts.
Most recently, Christchurch Airport’s capacity and facilities made it an ideal operating base for a C-130 Hercules during the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow, where the aircraft was a highlight for spectators.
Christchurch Airport spokesperson Sean Tully paid tribute to the aircraft’s remarkable legacy, saying: “The Hercules is an icon of the skies—versatile, dependable, and an important part of Christchurch’s history. From Antarctic missions to disaster response, it has served our city and beyond with distinction. We’ll certainly miss seeing it fly over Ōtautahi – Christchurch.”
The flyover marked the end of an era—but the legacy of the RNZAF C-130 Hercules will live on in the history of Christchurch, Antarctica, and beyond.
