HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT OF INVERCARGILL AIRPORT
The land, on which the Invercargill Aiport is situated, was reclaimed from the New River estuary in the early 1900’s.
The initial land for airport development was purchased in 1934 and the airport was constructed during World War 2 for use as an emergency aerodrome for the military.
The first commercial aircraft operation was on 6th November 1944 when passenger services to Dunedin were introduced by union Airways using Lockheed Electra aircraft. Later the services were undertaken by NAC, a NZ government owned airline, using as De Havilland Dominie Aircraft.
Further significant events and dates are as follows:
1940 - 1949
- 1944 – First commercial aircraft operation on 6th November, when a passenger service was introduced by Union Airways using Lockheed Electra aircraft.
- 1947 – NAC, a NZ government owned amalgamation of several airlines, including Union Airways, commenced services using De Havilland Dominie Aircraft.
- 1948 – First Aircraft Hangar constructed using a World War 2 kitset.
1950 - 1959
- 1952 – First Terminal building constructed and opened.
- 1953 – Second Hangar constructed using a World War 2 kitset.
- 1956 – Sealed runway constructed to 1,067 x 45 metres, Douglas DC3 aircraft introduced by NAC.
- 1957 – Third larger hangar constructed, allowing large aircraft to remain overnight.
- 1958 – Joint Venture Agreement between the Government and Local Authorities to own and manage the airport.
1960 - 1969
- 1960 – Runway extended to 1,219 metres.
- 1961 – Fokker Friendship aircraft introduced by NAC, replacing DC3’s.
- 1963 – New terminal built (original building used for baggage, freight and staff). Car park constructed.
- 1964 – Control tower constructed.
- 1968 – Stewart Island Air Service commenced, operating a Grumman Widgeon amphibious aircraft to Halfmoon Bay.
1970 - 1979
- 1970 – Vicker Viscount aircraft introduced by NAC, partly replacing Friendships.
- 1975 – Runway lengthened to 1,710 metres and resurfaced. Boeing 737-200 aircraft introduced by NAC, replacing Viscounts. Baggage claim roofed over.
- 1978 – NAC merged with Air New Zealand.
1980 - 1989
- 1983 – Terminal airside lobby enlarged.
- 1984 – A major Flood from Oreti River inundated the Invercargill airport. Terminal building altered and renovated after flooding.
- 1987 – A further flood from the Oreti River entered the aiport. Building again renovated. New stopbanks were constructed to mitigate the flooding risk.
- 1988 – Alterations to the Terminal building to accommodate aerobridge facility.
- 1989 – Ansett NZ commenced operation with De Havilland Dash 8 aircraft.
1990 - 1999
- 1990 – New stair and balustrade constructed in Terminal. Last Fokker Friendship aircraft withdrawn from service by Air NZ.
- 1991 – Ansett NZ introduced British Aerospace146 (whisper-jet) aircraft to replace Dash 8. Baggage Reclaim extended.
- 1992 – Old Terminal building demolished and a major extension constructed.
- 1994 – Invercargill Airport Limited incorporated, replacing Joint Venture.
- 1995 – Taxiway widened, runway and taxiway resurfaced.
- 1995 – Boeing 737’s and BAe146 withdrawn by Air NZ (formerly NAC) and Ansett NZ. ATR-72 and Dash 8 introduced with services direct to Christchurch.
- 1998 – Addition to terminal incorporating Air NZ Koru Lounge, Ansett Golden Wing Lounge and offices on the ground floor.
- 1999 – Main apron resurfaced.
2000 - 2009
- 2000 – Ansett NZ sold to Tasman Pacific Airlines of NZ and operated under the Qantas NZ franchise.
- 2001 – Tasman Pacific Airlines of NZ placed into receivership and subsequently into liquidation. Terminal cafeteria refurbished and upgraded.
- 2002 – Origin Pacific commenced flights into Invercargill, with Jetstream 41 aircraft.
- 2003 – New passenger baggage reclaim facility constructed and carousel installed.
- 2004 – Car park extended and Autopay system installed.
- 2004 – Origin Pacific services withdrawn.
- 2005 – Runway extended to 2,210 metres.
- 2006 – Terminal airline counter area upgraded
- 2007 – Air New Zealand introduced Bombardier Dash 8 Q300 aircraft and commenced a Wellington direct service.
2010 - 2019
- 2010 – 1710 metres of runway resurfaced. Covered walkway constructed in car park.
- 2011 – Car park extended.
- 2013 – Main apron and taxiway resurfaced.
