About Kaitaia Airport

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Kaitaia Airport (IATA: KAT, ICAO: NZKT) is an airport located in Kaitaia, in the Northland Region of New Zealand. It is 320 km from Auckland. Barrier Air operates daily flights to and from Auckland Airport.

On 13 June 2005, Kaitaia Airport received an injection of $333,850 to upgrade its runway facilities so that it can accommodate larger aircraft. The Far North District Council approved loan funding for Kaitaia Airport's project that allows it to accommodate aircraft with a PCN of 15000 kg in mainwheel axle weight. This upgrade allows Air New Zealand to fly into Kaitaia with its Bombardier and ATR 72-500 aircraft. Over the next 3 years, $1.4 million invested into the airport will provide larger hardstand areas and better terminal facilities.

At the end of April 2015, Air New Zealand discontinued its service between Kaitaia and Auckland. Barrier Air began operating the service from 28 April 2015.

Kaitaia Airport is the most northern airfield in New Zealand that has fuel available. Kaitaia Airport has a long and smooth runway, it also has the longest runway in Northland and is used by light aircraft, as well as private (such as the Gulfstream V) and a regular Barrier Air Cessna Caravan service from Auckland Airport.

852 km to the North West of Kaitaia is Norfolk Island Airport from which it is 754 km to Noumea in New Caledonia, or 900 km to Lord Howe Island which can be used as a stepping stone to the Australian mainland.

These distances are within the range of many light aircraft when fitted with long range tanks, while the direct distances are usually used with the larger private aircraft which are able to land at Kaitaia Airport. From New Caledonia other Pacific Islands such as Vanuatu and Fiji are within range and can be used as further 'stepping stones' to the other South Pacific and North Pacific destinations.

Kaitaia Airport previously received Beechcraft 1900D's, operated by Eagle Air on behalf of Air New Zealand, twice daily Mon-Fri and daily Sat-Sun. This route was taken over by Barrier Air from 28 April 2015. Other airlines did also express interest in operating the route, including Tauranga-based Sunair.

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