Mon 2nd Feb
Pretty much a full log from around 0800-1130. Not the busiest of places but good for picking up the commuters not seen in Auckland.
I arrived the previous evening with Jetstar from AKL. I stayed at the Airport Motor Lodge which is easily found and within walking distance from the terminal(10 mins max). There`s a BK & Chinese restaurant nearby & a courtesy bus is also available. Don`t be put off by the word motel. I stayed in this one plus another the following evening in Christchurch & can`t fault either place. They were better than some hotels I`ve stayed in & also included tea/coffee & biscuits.
Spotting from the terminal is easy with large windows. Photography is fine albeit through glass. The surrounding scenery is good for complimenting photos. I believe outdoor photography is good from the western side of the airfield looking across the runway towards the terminal(pm).
There`s ample places for breakfast in the terminal which won`t break the bank. A morning is probably enough as aircraft start repeating pretty quickly. Fortunately I flew out to CHC just before 1200. Internal flights were booked well in advance with Jetstar & were inexpensive.
VH-VFF A320 Jetstar
VH-VFI A320 Jetstar
VH-VGO A320 Jetstar
VH-VQE A320 Jetstar
ZK-EAF B190 Eagle Airways
ZK-EAI B190 Eagle Airways
ZK-EAM B190 Eagle Airways
ZK-EAP B190 Eagle Airways
ZK-EAR B190 Eagle Airways https://flic.kr/p/rGzgdp
ZK-LFW JS31 Life Flight
ZK-MVC AT76 Mount Cook
ZK-NEB DH8C Air Nelson
ZK-NEC DH8C Air Nelson
ZK-NEF DH8C Air Nelson
ZK-NEJ DH8C Air Nelson
ZK-NER DH8C Air Nelson https://flic.kr/p/qLpBwT
ZK-NES DH8C Air Nelson
ZK-NEZ DH8C Air Nelson
ZK-NFB DH8C Air Nelson
ZK-NGG B733 Air New Zealand https://flic.kr/p/rGfsxJ (4 seen in service, all old colours)
ZK-OAB A320 Air New Zealand https://flic.kr/p/rFrkPh (crazy about rugby scheme)
ZK-OJR A320 Air New Zealand
ZK-OXC A320 Air New Zealand
ZK-OXD A320 Air New Zealand
ZK-OXE A320 Air New Zealand
ZK-PDM C208 Sounds Air
ZK-SAN C208 Sounds Air
ZK-SAY C208 Sounds Air
ZK-ZQD B738 Qantas
NZ7004 C130 RNZAF
ZK-FDN BE9L
The Mount Cook, Eagle & Air Nelson aircraft operate under the ANZ brand. Some were still in old colours. The ANZ A320s starting ZK-OX_ appear to operate domestically at the moment.