Facts & Figures

As the gateway for Christchurch and the South Island, Christchurch International Airport Ltd (CIAL) is a major hub and the busiest and most strategic air connection to the world’s trade and tourism markets. The airport occupies a unique position both physically and economically, and is New Zealand’s second largest airport.

Passenger Numbers        

• 5,908,077 passengers travelled in and out of Christchurch International Airport from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009.  
• Over the last year CIAL has experienced consistent, record growth in international passenger volumes, at 4.3% over 2007 levels.  The combined passenger growth resulted in 7.7% growth over 2007. 
• Take a look at the bottom of this page for the most up to date passenger numbers. 

Financial Reporting

• The company recorded a net profit after tax of $14.7 million; slightly down from $23.4 million in the previous year.  View CIAL’s Annual Reports here. 

The Community

The below shows how CIAL supported Christchurch, Canterbury and South Island economy in 2007.

• Approx. 5,000 people working on the airport campus.
• In 2007, the Canterbury GDP was $21.2 billion, the airport contributed 7.2% of regional GDP.
• In 2007, Canterbury employed 239,100 full time equivalent employees (FTE's), the airport accounts for 8.8% of these.
• Antarctic operations delivered $80 million in direct benefits to the city annually.
• The airport helps to retain technicians and associated professionals within the region and New Zealand.

It is also important to note:

• For the year ending March 2007 total tourism expenditure was NZ$20.1 billion, increasing 4.7% from the previous year.
• Tourism generated NZ$7.9 billion to gross domestic product (5.1% of New Zealand's total GDP)
• The tourism industry directly employed 108,100 full time equivalent employees (5.8% of total employment in New Zealand).

Source: Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Satellite Account 2008

The Environment

In January 2008, CIAL became the first carbon neutral airport company in the Southern Hemisphere.  CIAL have many environmental initiatives, take a look at our Environment section for more information.