Encouraging families to “play before they fly”, Christchurch Airport’s newly opened Little Explorers Base Camp transforms the airport’s role as the Gateway to Antarctica into an imaginative, hands on experience for young travellers.

With original characters and artwork by Christchurch illustrator Kyla K, the Antarctic themed space invites children to climb, jump, slide and explore, while three digital touch-screens with a great array of games, enable young travellers to immerse themselves in the experience.

“We’re committed to being a family friendly airport,” says Christchurch Airport Chief Commercial & Technology Officer, David Cooper.

“Any parent knows that travel days with kids can be a juggling act. Our Little Explorers Base Camp is designed to ease pre-flight nerves and help parents to hit pause, enabling a calmer start to their journey.”

With more than 850 children under 12 travelling through Christchurch Airport every day, Cooper says the investment reflects a long term commitment to supporting families to move through the terminal with family friendly options available at every step of their journey.

"We know more than 170,000 families travel through Christchurch Airport every year, which is why we're designing every stage of our terminal transformation with families front of mind."

Alongside the playground, the airport has unveiled a suite of upgraded parent rooms and bathroom facilities, including full-service parent rooms complete with microwaves and private feeding chairs.

Newly refurbished bathrooms featuring stunning Westcoast photography by John Doogan now include all-gender options, supporting a more inclusive and equitable experience for all passengers.

Artist Kyla K, who brought the walls of the playground and parent room’s to life with colourful animated penguins, gulls and other Antarctic creatures, says she wanted the artwork to create moments of fun and curiosity.

“Kids see the world with so much imagination, and I wanted the artwork to celebrate that sense of adventure. Creating characters and spaces that help children feel excited — and maybe even a little braver - before they fly has been so much fun.”

The upgraded facilities mark the completion of Stage 1 of the airport’s Terminal Transformation Programme, with a refreshed Level 1 food court, new eateries and retail spaces, upgraded seating and a newly redesigned Domestic Departures already complete.

"Following the revamp, more passengers who previously wouldn't have used our shops and eateries are now choosing to do so, they are up around 25% alongside passenger growth. We've even had to increase the number of tables in the food court beyond our original plans" says Christchurch Airport Chief Commercial & Technology Officer, David Cooper.

Later this year, the airport will continue its family friendly focus by opening a Shackleton Hutt themed Antarctic playground inside Domestic Departures. Stage 2 will shift attention to revamping the International Departures and the retail areas on Level 1, with work expected to continue over the next 24 months.