Airport History

Whanganui Airport, formally known as Wanganui Airport until 2016, is located on the southern edge of the Whanganui River and provides an airport for Whanganui and the surrounding region.

The airport, developed initially in the 1930’s, has a significant pilot training history having been home to the Whanganui Commercial Pilot School (based at the Wanganui Aero Club from 1953 through until the 1980’s).

It was also the home of New Zealand’s first commercial topdressing pilot training school operated by Dalcom Aviation Training. These were New Zealand's first full time ground/air training courses for professional civil pilot licences and it was no accident that Wanganui was chosen as the base.  The flying days available, abundance of available training areas, relatively low levels of turbulence and a large runway system provide a perfect flying training base.

The passenger airport was opened in 1954. The airport has a single terminal with just two gates.

Air Chathams now operates flies to and from Whanganui with Metroliner III, SAAB 340a/b, Convair 580 and ATR-72 aircraft. This service took over after Air New Zealand withdrew services.