Arrivals, Transit & Connections

International Transit Passengers

If you are connecting from one flight to another you must hold the necessary visa (or equivalent) for entry into New Zealand. The transit facilities at Christchurch Airport are not available 24 hours a day. 

Flight Connections

Domestic to Domestic

If you are connecting with the same airline, and you already have your onward boarding pass, your luggage will be checked through to your final destination automatically.  If you are travelling with two different airlines you will need to collect your baggage from your previous flight and check-in for the new flight as normal. 

Domestic to International

Please contact your airline as there may be an agreement in place which means that your luggage will be checked through from your domestic airline to your International airline. Please note that there are safety restrictions as to what you can carry within your hand luggage on international flights, find out what you can carry with you here.  

Domestic Arrivals and International Departures operate from within the same integrated terminal building.  Please follow the signs from your Domestic Arrivals gate to International Departures. 

International to Domestic

All passengers must claim their baggage, exit the Customs Hall and then check through their bags at the Connections Desk within the International Arrivals Hall. 

International to International

If you are travelling with the same airline, and have your onward boarding pass, you may stay within the airside transit lounge before boarding your next flight and your bags will be automatically forwarded to your final destination.  If you are travelling with two different airlines you will need to collect your luggage, exit the Customs Hall and then check-in your bags at the Connections Desk within the International Arrivals Hall.  Please note that there are safety restrictions as to what you can carry within your hand luggage on international flights, find out what you can carry with you here.   

Baggage Transfer

When arriving into Christchurch from an international flight and connecting to a domestic flight, the transfer desk will forward your luggage to your domestic departure point once you have cleared customs and immigration.    

Sleeping at the airport

We actively discourage people from sleeping in the terminal or using it as an accommodation space.  We offer real-time accommodation information to those seeking it.

As a temporary measure, the terminal is currently cleared after the last flight arrives around midnight, to allow refurbishment.

The check-in hall opens at 3.30am every morning to people checking in for early flights.

Please watch this space for updated information.

 

 

You can pre-book Christchurch accommodation here, visit the Airport i-SITE team located in the International Arrivals Hall or call 0800 LOVE NZ (0800 568 369); (03) 353 7774 or E: travel&tourism@cial.co.nz