Since 2023, Jetstar, Air New Zealand and other passenger plane pilots approaching and leaving Christchurch Airport have spotted drone activity, causing them to take preventative measures to avoid colliding with them.
Source: CIAL
One report showed drone activity delayed the departure of a rescue helicopter from a public hospital. Another report saw a NZDF Hercules spotting a drone within 300-500 feet of the plane.
Source: Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue
The Civil Aviation Authority has denied there have been any near misses between planes and drones (also known as RPAS or UAV).
In this article The NZR brings to 14 separate reports to light involving passenger planes and rescue helicopters and the drones that were spotted between 2023 and 2025, sometimes when they were arriving at or departing from Christchurch Airport and how each situation was handled.
A further 8 reports and a alleged shooting incident will be covered in a subsequent article.
2023
19 January 2023
A Jetstar pilot reported a drone flying in prohibited airspace.
“JST227 reported passing a drone at 1700FT on the V approach for RWY02. Airspace sterilized for 15 minutes. Police report P053364260.”
1 April 2023
A rescue helicopter spotted a drone on its way to the public hospital.
“Carried out avoiding action - RPAS at 1200 ft - confimed above St Albans Park. contacted tower - no approved activity, Twr contacted police.”
26 June 2023
The CAA received one report of a drone near and over Christchurch Women’s Prison.
A rescue helicopter spotted a drone operating near “Chch Womens’ Prison.”
“Operator not known. Email reply sent advising NFA by CAA.”
A pilot made a second report.
“Also reported by Airways - Aircraft reported drone approx 1500ft overhead the CH womens prison (approx 4-5nm from final RWY 02). Arriving aircraft were held and we resumed operations approx 20minutes later on RWY20 to avoid the airspace.”
19 September 2023
An NZDF was preparing to land at Christchurch Airport, when the pilot “the Pilot spotted a UAS/RPAS directly ahead of the aircraft track in vicinity of Shirley/Dallington suburbs (approx. S43 30.1 E172 40.2) which was inside NZCH CTR SFC-1500'.”
“Although hard to judge the size, the UAS was a red/orange colour with a light shining toward the aircraft and is estimated to be a large vehicle, approx. 1-2m in size. Crew estimate the UAS passed 300-500' below the aircraft, which was maintaining 2000'.”
“The crew arrested descent of the aircraft and informed NZCH tower, who confirmed there was no other traffic in the vicinity, or on radar. Once clear of the UAS, aircraft was cleared unrestricted descent and continued the visual approach, landing without further incident. On shutdown, aircraft passed details of the incident to Christchurch Delivery.”
19 October 2023
At just after 9 at night, a Jetstar plane sighted a drone on its final approach into Christchurch Airport.
“At approx 2105 JST229 now on the stand advises sighting of unauthorised white drone 800ft 3nm final which would have been about 2055. EBK was on a missed approach through that area before tower knew information. Operations RNO after 15min elapsed at 2110.”
2024
18 February 2024
An Air New Zealand plane saw a drone on its final approach.
“ANZ783M reported Drone 1nm west of 4nm final RWY02 at approx 1300-1500ft. Arrivals RWY02 ceased for 15mins.”
8 April 2024
Another Air New Zealand plane spotted a drone on lift off.
“ANZ626M reported a drone at approx 1400ft on takeoff RWY 02 NZCH.
“Holding commenced for 15min.”
“CH TWR held ANZ366M deaparting, for 15 min.”
12 December 2024
A rescue helicopter was held up after a drone was spotted prior to departure. Initially the operator couldn’t be contacted.
“UAV was operating as per agreed procedures with CH TWR (CH TWR Operational Notice 24-21).”
“CH ADC attempted to contact UAV operator via RTF 118.4 (as per procedures) to facilitate departure of AMD2 rescue helicopter to depart Garden City Helicopters (GCH). UAV operator was non contactable on 118.4 and also by telephone for approximately 10 mins and initially caused a delay to depart the helicopter.”
“CH ADC had to depart AMD2 on a non standard departure to avoid the UAV operating area.”
“UAV operator phone CH Tower after having seen a missed call on cell phone and had said the their VHF radio volume was turned down.”
“The area of operation whilst conforming to the CH Part 101 No Ops chart, requires the UAV to be on the ground to facilitate published helicopter departure and arrival procedures to/from GCH.�”
2025
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