Christchurch Airport is more than a gateway to the South Island, it is a thriving, innovative business hub driving prosperity across Ōtautahi Christchurch, the wider region, and New Zealand.

The airport campus is home to over 250 businesses and more than 7,000 employees, encompassing an impressive breadth of industries, from aerospace pioneers and green energy innovators to logistics leaders and advanced manufacturers. This diversity reflects Christchurch Airport’s deliberate strategy to foster a business ecosystem that is connected, sustainable, and future focused.

One shining example is Enatel, a Christchurch grown global leader in energy storage and power conversion technologies. Enatel’s new 6,000m² facility, currently under construction on the airport campus, represents local innovation with global reach. The company exports to more than 75 countries and, recognising their growth potential, Christchurch Airport has reserved additional land to support their future expansion.

In logistics, the airport’s freight precinct within Dakota Park is powering the South Island’s trade, handling billions of dollars in goods each year. The recent expansion of the freight apron and partnerships, such as the development of DHLs new 7,000m² facility, ensure the airport keeps pace with growing demand, supporting South Island producers and manufacturers to reach global markets swiftly and economicaly.

Christchurch Airport is also leading in sustainability. Its 230-hectare Kōwhai Park renewable energy precinct, currently under construction, will house New Zealand’s largest solar farm, capable of powering 36,000 homes. Kōwhai Park offers businesses on campus the assured supply of sustainable, clean energy, making it an attractive location for companies looking to future-proof their operations. Plans to integrate hydrogen production and energy storage projects are well underway. Strategic collaborations, including bp’s EV Gigahub and Fabrum’s hydrogen test facility, position Christchurch as a national leader in decarbonising energy generation and pioneering future aviation energy development.

Pratt & Whitney have also recently announced a multimillion-dollar expansion of the Christchurch Engine Centre. This advanced facility could have been located anywhere in Australasia, yet the decision to invest here reflects the strength of Christchurch’s innovation ecosystem, skilled workforce, and strategic location. The expansion will bring greater engine servicing capabilities to New Zealand, creating 200 high-value jobs. With the University of Canterbury supplying highly qualified engineering graduates, the city offers a steady pipeline of talent, ensuring companies retain skills and expertise locally while contributing to New Zealand’s growing aviation sector. The airports campus’s high CAP rate compared to other parts of New Zealand and Australasia reinforces why it’s the ideal place to establish or expand a business.

This unique blend of business diversity, global connectivity, and environmental leadership positions Christchurch Airport as a key economic driver. From enabling high-value manufacturing to advancing clean energy solutions and supporting exporters, the airport continues to play a pivotal role in Christchurch’s growth and resilience.

As the campus evolves, Christchurch Airport remains committed to supporting innovative businesses and fostering an environment where they can thrive — ultimately delivering long-term economic and social value for Christchurch, the South Island, and beyond.