Planning to fly at one of the best tourist destination but don’t know about the airport that will serve you better? Then here I have a best airport that will give you luxury as well as wonderful attractions where you have never been before. Christchurch, a fantastic place in New Zealand has so much to offer to its visitors. It lies on the East Coast of the South Island and spread its beauty through culture and lifestyle. This city is served by the airport named after it as Christchurch International Airport lies at a distance of 12 kilometres from the city. The airport code is CHC and has two terminals. It also has an official website where you can just log on and seek related information at www.christchurch-airport.co.nz.
The Christchurch International Airport was opened in the year 1953. Recently, it began its construction to provide proper services to increasing number of passengers. To upgrade a new Domestic terminal some $200 million has been spent. The new schedules as an expansion project of the airport may be finished till 2011. This airport is the major centre and second largest airport in New Zealand. In fact, it is the busiest and most planned air connection to the trade and tourism markets in the world.
The major airlines that operates from this airport are Air Chathams, Air New Zealand, Air New Zealand which are operated by Air National, Air New Zealand Link that operates by Eagle Airways, Air New Zealand Link again operated by Mount Cook Airline, Air Pacific, Emirates Airline, Jetstar Airways, Qantas, Virgin Blue that are operated by Pacific Blue and Singapore Airlines.
Internal access is possible between the Domestic and International terminals and in the International Arrivals hall you will get domestic transfer check-in counters. For any kind of information you can simply head to the travel and information centres that could be found in the Domestic Terminal and International Arrivals lounge. If you wish to book a local accommodation, transport and sightseeing tours then the staff will manage a full travel agency service and make holiday arrangements for both domestic and international passengers. You can also contact the airport travel and information centre or to the 24 hour airport information phone line at 03-353 7774 and 03-353 7777 respectively.
This airport provides all basic facilities like money and communications, eating and drinking, shopping, luggage and others. ATMs, banks, bureaux de change could be found at the terminal building. Fax, photocopying and postal services could be found at the left-luggage office. Telephones are located in both the terminals and even internet kiosks and wireless internet access are available at the airport. To have something at the airport you can head to the bars, cafes and restaurants that could be found everywhere in the airport. You can also try shopping at the airport and for that you have shops and duty-free shops that lie in the International Arrivals. The international Departures lounge and the gallery boutiques are available on the first floor. In the Domestic terminal you will get few other shops as well.
You have facilities like left luggage service at the Travel & Information centre situated in the Domestic Terminal. At both the terminal you will get trolleys for your comfort. Inside the Domestic Terminal you will get children’s play areas on the first floor and also hairdresser, florist and a pharmacy are also available in the Domestic terminal. By walking for five minutes you can reach to the visitor centre of International Antarctic Centre in New Zealand. Other facilities like conference and business are also available inside the airport complex at International Antarctic Visitors Centre. You can also take your business meetings or conferences at the Sudima Hotel Grand Chancellor. In Fact, airline lounges could be found on first floor of both the terminals.
As it is an airport from where you can reach to the other destination the disabled person will never stay behind. Facilities for disabled travellers are always available at every airport in the world. Only it varies that how much facilities the airport are actually providing. The Christchurch International Airport offers lifts, automatic doors, wheelchairs, toilets and showers, ATM machines with Braille keys and also parking spaces in front of the public car parking area. For any kind of assistance the traveller should contact their respective airline before traveling.
For accommodation you have Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport which is located at a five minutes walking distance from the terminal building. Besides this, the Copthorne Hotel Commodore and the Scenic Circle Russley Hotel are the other hotels where you can stay at are situated at a little drive from the airport. The staff can guide and provide assistance to you like bookings and other facilities at the airport Travel and Information Centre. They will also help you to accommodate as per your budget.
To reach at the airport from city centre or from Cathedral Square you have to move towards Columbo Street and then Bealey Avenue and Harper Avenue. Well, you should visit all the parks and wonders that come on your way and then along with visiting the sites you can easily reach to the airport. From the Avenue you need to turn right at Fendalton Avenue and drive ahead to the Hagley Park from there you will reach by turning into the Memorial Avenue and then the airport is located close to the Memorial Avenue.
Once you reach at the airport you can park your car at open air short or at long term parking spaces available at the airport. You can also park at a new multi-level car parking building. After your completion of a hectic journey by flight transportation facilities are available for you to reach to your destination. Car hire companies are there in the International and Domestic terminals. Companies like Avis, Budget, Hertz New Zealand, Europecar, Maui Rentals and Thrifty offices are available at the airport for you. Shuttle bus services are available at the airport to take you to the city centre or wherever you want to go. Shuttle buses also will take you to your hotel where you have booked a room. Facilities like taxis are also available to take you around the city centre.
When an airport provides more than expected facilities to its passengers then why the airport will not come under the list of busiest one? It not only serves the city but also draws more tourists to visit the miraculous city named Christchurch. Christchurch has thousands of parks and gardens where you can hang on and the attractions are endless. Few key attractions in Christchurch are Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, Christchurch Cathedral and Cathedral Square, Canterbury Museum, International Antarctic Centre and Willowbank. After reaching here you can simply prove your journey the best by visiting all these attractions. Well, the Christchurch International Airport offers so much of exhilarating facilities that you will get partly satisfied and then it will be fulfilled once you start exploring The Garden City which is the another name of Christchurch.
