International Airline Capacity Grows at Christchurch Airport

By Andrew Curran.

Christchurch Airport (CHC) expects 15% more international capacity over the upcoming Southern Hemisphere summer than the comparable 2024/25 period. According to the airport, at least six international airlines have increased or are increasing their capacity, including making more premium cabin seats available.

“We are seeing an uptick in premium travellers who want to sit in a more comfortable seat from the start of their trip,” said Aeronautical Development General Manager Gordon Bevan. “Having the major international airlines at our airport with their aircraft configured to premium economy and business makes that possible.”  

United Airlines, Fiji Airways, Air New Zealand, Qantas, Jetstar, Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, and Singapore Airlines all operate international flights in and out of Christchurch Airport, New Zealand’s second busiest airport and the primary gateway to the country’s South Island.

Among those airlines, China Southern, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Jetstar, and Air New Zealand are all putting on more international flights this summer than last summer, or are sending in bigger aircraft. 

Christchurch Airport capacity increases

• China Southern Airlines is increasing capacity by 29%, offering over 60,000 seats this summer. The airline's Christchurch – Guangzhou (CAN) round-trips will increase from five per week to daily between December 18, 2025, and March 3, 2026.
• Cathay Pacific is lifting capacity by 24%. The airline is also bringing forward the start of its Christchurch - Hong Kong (HKG) service by a month. Cathay Pacific will operate up to four flights per week from November 3, 2025, to March 28, 2026.
• Australian LCC Jetstar has expanded its Christchurch capacity by 49% compared to last summer. Jetstar is increasing capacity with year-round daily Christchurch – Melbourne (MEL) round-trips, daily Christchurch - Gold Coast (OOL) services in peak periods, and an improved Cairns (CNS) schedule.
• Qantas is extending its B737-800-operated double dailies to Brisbane (BNE) and Melbourne, as well as running three daily Sydney (SYD) services well into 2026.
• Air New Zealand has launched seasonal Christchurch – Adelaide (ADL) round-trips, which started on October 28, 2025.
• Singapore Airlines will complement its year-round daily service with four additional weekly services from November 24, 2025, boosting the airline’s A350-900-operated weekly round-trips to Christchurch to eleven.

Growth at Christchurch Airport

In the 12 months to June 30, 2025, international passenger numbers through the airport grew by 11% to 1.56 million.

 Christchurch Airport says a single daily widebody flight results in around NZD150 million (USD85.6 million) in annual visitor spending and approximately NZD500 million (USD285.4 million) in annual freight value.

"Airlines are backing the South Island with record capacity, building on the strength of our region, our tourism, and our trade value,” said Christchurch Airport Chief Executive Justin Watson.

“Every visitor who lands here supports jobs and our economy and every export shipment taking off from our runway carries the quality and reputation of the South Island to the world,” he added.

Christchurch Airport’s strategic plan reveals that growing international services to and from Asian hubs is a priority. However, the airport acknowledges that an ongoing shortage of aircraft is curbing some planned deployments.  

The South Island’s other international airport is Queenstown (ZQN), which hosts Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Qantas flights to and from Australia.

Photo: Christchurch Airport.