Christchurch Airport has two wins at the 2026 NZ Airports Awards, taking home Large Airport of the Year and Sustainability Initiative of the Year.
The airport was named New Zealand's Large Airport of the Year at the 2026 NZ Airports Awards, recognising a standout year of growth, investment, and progress.
The award was announced at the NZ Airports Hui in Wellington, where airports from across the country gathered to celebrate excellence in the aviation industry.
For Christchurch Airport, the recognition followed a busy year of achievements, from strengthening international connections and welcoming more passengers to improving facilities and delivering major infrastructure projects.
Christchurch Airport Chief Executive Justin Watson said the award is a proud moment for everyone involved in the airport's success.
"This is a huge achievement and something our entire airport team can be incredibly proud of. We've had an extraordinary year, growing our international connections, investing in facilities and infrastructure and making real progress on projects that will shape our future,” said Watson.
"What makes this award particularly special is that it recognises the collective effort of our people and the many partners who help keep our airport running every day.”
The airport also picked up the top spot for the Sustainability Initiative of the year for the Kōwhai Park Solar farm in collaboration with Lightsource bp and Contact Energy
Over the past year, Christchurch Airport has welcomed 6.85 million passengers, strengthened its airline partnerships, and secured new international services.
Major developments include opening an expanded freight apron, significantly revamping the terminal's food and beverage, retail and passenger facilities, expanding the international and domestic network, and completing the Kōwhai Park solar farm.
The airport says the recognition also acknowledges the thousands of people who contribute to its success, including airline partners, border agencies, retailers, contractors and the wider airport community.
With a busy summer ahead and new international services taking flight, the airport is focused on building on that momentum and continuing to deliver for travellers, businesses and communities across the South Island.
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