Departure
96%
vs 95% ▲ 1
MY FS FLIGHTS
MY FS FLIGHTS
Kaitaia Airport (NZKT/KAT) is the northernmost commercial aerodrome in New Zealand, lying a few kilometres northeast of Kaitaia township in the Far North District of Northland. Built during the Second World War for long-range American bombers, it now hosts scheduled Barrier Air services to Auckland alongside general aviation, helicopter and business jet traffic, and offers the visiting VFR pilot a long, well-lit sealed runway and straightforward, uncontrolled airspace.
Kaitaia Airport sits at Awanui, close to Kaitaia town, and is the northernmost commercial airport in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is owned by the Te Runanga O Ngaitakoto Trust and leased long-term to the Far North District Council, which engages Far North Holdings Limited to manage day-to-day operations. The field mixes scheduled passenger flights with general aviation, helicopters and business jet movements, and its long sealed runway and fuel availability make it a useful and interesting stop for pilots exploring the far north of the North Island.
Kaitaia Airport is an uncertificated aerodrome located at Awanui, about 5 km from the centre of Kaitaia and roughly 10 minutes' drive north of the township. It lies within the Far North of Northland Region, well removed from major controlled airspace, and receives an Aerodrome Flight Information Service rather than a full air traffic control service.
The airfield has two sealed (hard-surfaced) physical runways. Runway 12/30 is 4,574 ft long and equipped with lighting, making it suitable for night operations and the longest of the pair. Runway 18/36 is 4,333 ft long with no lighting recorded. There is no ILS approach at the field. Field elevation is 249 ft.
Pilots should call on the CTAF frequency of 119.1 MHz. An Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) is provided remotely by Christchurch FIS on 127.1 MHz. There is no ILS or other instrument approach aid listed for the aerodrome.
Kaitaia Aerodrome was first developed during the Second World War, built to allow American long-range bombers to reach parts of the South Pacific from their base in the Far North. In 2005 the airport received a significant funding injection to upgrade its runway to a pavement classification of PCN 15, allowing Air New Zealand's Dash 8 and ATR 72 aircraft to operate the route, alongside a $1.4 million investment in hardstand and terminal improvements. The Air New Zealand-contracted service, previously flown by Eagle Air using Beechcraft 1900Ds, was taken over by Barrier Air from 28 April 2015. The airport remains owned by the Te Runanga O Ngaitakoto Trust and is operated under a long-term lease arrangement between the Far North District Council and Far North Holdings Limited.
Kaitaia Airport is an uncertificated aerodrome serving scheduled passenger aircraft, general aviation, helicopters and business jets, with Barrier Air operating daily flights to Auckland. AvGas 100LL fuel is available from a towed fuel trailer, and ground handling such as marshalling, chocks and baggage assistance can be arranged on request, though ground power, lavatory service and air conditioning are not offered. An asphalt apron adjacent to the terminal provides overnight parking. Airside access is restricted, and prior arrangement with the Airport Supervisor is required to gain entry, effectively requiring prior permission for movements outside normal access. Landing and parking charges apply and are invoiced. The airport is currently undergoing a $5.4 million Upgrade and Resilience Programme, which has already delivered a resurfaced main runway and apron, with further work planned for drainage, airfield lighting, security fencing, fuel facilities and an aircraft rescue facility.