Flying into Wānaka Airport

Wānaka Airport's operating hours are 0700-2200hrs. Operations outside of these hours are prohibited. All aircraft operations at Wānaka Airport are also subject to our Aeronautical Conditions of Use. This document outlines the terms governing your use of the airport, including the applicable airport service charges. This document can be downloaded below.  

Runway orientation is 11 and 29. The Seal Runway is 1,200m long by 30m wide, supported by a parallel Grass Runway 882m long by 60m wide. All pilots should familiarise themselves with the Wānaka Aerodrome information detailed in the NZAIP. 

The airport frequency for Wānaka is the CFZ frequency 120.1 MHz.  Weather information is broadcast via the Wānaka AWIB on 129.1 MHz. 

Wānaka Airport serves helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The largest plane that can land at Wānaka Airport is the 50-seat Bombardier Dash 8-Q300. Aircraft that will be parked on the main apron, or aircraft with a MCTOW greater than 5700kg must submit a Parking or Movement Request at least 48 hours prior to arrival.

The Wānaka Operations Centre is open Monday to Friday, 0800-1900.  You can contact the Centre on +64 3 443 1112.

Aviation Activity in, out and around Wānaka Airport

Wānaka Airport has two fixed-wing and one helicopter training schools, scenic flight operations, up to four parachuting flights an hour, private flights, aircraft maintenance operations, the biennial Warbirds over Wānaka International Airshow and NASA scientific balloon launch.  

Skydive operate daily north-east of the airport at Parachute Landing Area P912.  

There is intense paragliding activity in the Wānaka area, particularly in the ranges to the west of Glendhu Bay, and from Mt Iron just east of the Wānaka township.

This makes for a very diverse mix of aviation. Be extremely vigilant when using Wānaka Airport or when transiting the area.