Antarctic air touches down in Christchurch
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Join the flight crew for Antarctic Air Day at Christchurch International Airport.
Grab your boarding pass and climb on board Antarctic aircraft on Saturday, 7 October before they head to the ice for the summer season.
The US Air Force C-17 on the ice.
Credit: Antarctica NZ Pictorial Collection
It’s all part of the Antarctic Season Opening festival.
As international Antarctic programmes return to the city for the summer, the festival offers the opportunity to celebrate Christchurch’s gateway role to the frozen continent.
Check out a US Air Force C-17, a RNZAF C-130 Hercules, a RNZAF B200 King Air or the historic Trans-Antarctic Expedition DHC-2 Beaver on the airport tarmac.
Meet the huskies and marvel at the ice carver before you tour the displays and sample the activities. You can don virtual reality goggles to “experience Antarctica” or take in the RNZAF display, presented in conjunction with the Air Force Museum.
Learn about dressing for the ice, inspiring explorers and Gateway Antarctica (UC) drones and remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs). Enjoy a ride on an International Antarctic Centre hagglund or learn about the Korean Polar Ocean Forum.
A free, time-allocated boarding pass ensures entry to the tarmac.
You can also keep an eye on the skies on Thursday, 5 October from about 3pm as the US Air Force C-17 flies over the city.