On 29 June 1951, the first regular international service took off from Christchurch for Melbourne. It was a once-a-week flight operated by a DC-4 Skymaster chartered by Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), the predecessor to the Air New Zealand we know today.

The DC-4 was a four-engine propeller aircraft, unpressurised, slower and noisier inside the cabin than today's jets. It carried around 40 passengers, cruised at about 350 km/h and took six and a half hours to cross the Tasman. At the time, that single weekly international service was a milestone for the South Island.

Seventy-five years to the day after the first commercial international flight, passengers aboard Air New Zealand flight NZ213 will once again depart Christchurch for Melbourne, taking off at 6.10am on an Air New Zealand Airbus A320neo. The jet is scheduled to arrive at 8.05am local time and will make the trip in three hours fifty minutes and use 25% less fuel per passenger for the journey compared to the Skymaster.

Christchurch Airport Chief Executive Justin Watson says the anniversary is a chance to reflect on how far aviation has come.

"That first flight was a bold step for Christchurch and the South Island. It connected us directly with Australia and helped open the door to the world. Seventy-five years later, passengers can make the same journey in a quieter, faster and far more efficient aircraft."

Air New Zealand General Manager Domestic and Short Haul, Lucy Hall, says the milestone reflects both aviation's evolution and the enduring partnership between the airline and Christchurch Airport.

"From the early days of TEAL to today's modern Air New Zealand network, Christchurch has been a critical part of New Zealand's international aviation story. Together with Christchurch Airport, we've connected generations of New Zealanders with the world while supporting tourism, trade and economic growth across the South Island. We're proud of that legacy and excited to keep building on it for the future."

That future was strengthened recently with the announcement of new Air New Zealand international services from Christchurch to Perth, Singapore and Tokyo. The new routes build on 75 years of partnership and reinforce Christchurch Airport's role as the South Island's international gateway.

Justin Watson says the contrast between 1951 and 2026 is striking.

"In 1951, one weekly international flight was a major milestone. Today, Christchurch is a thriving international gateway with direct links across Australia, Asia, the Pacific and North America. The aircraft have changed dramatically, and our network continues to grow. What hasn't changed is our shared commitment with all our airline partners to connecting people, places and opportunity."