3/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“Overall, a comfortable and efficient airport that provides everything you need for a hassle-free journey.”
DK Wickrama5★ on Google
Airports / New Zealand / NSN
Medium airport · NSN
Nelson Airport.
Nelson, New Zealand · 17 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.
4.5/5
Google rating
1,015 ratings
0
Operators based
17
Elevation ft
Scheduled service
Nelson, New ZealandELEV 17 FTMedium airportScheduled service
4.5
Google rating
1,015
Google reviews
ratings on Google
17
Field elevation
feet above sea level
32
Nearest alternate
nm to BHE
Field standing
#5 / 14
New Zealand airports by Google rating
4.5★ across 1015 Google ratings , ranked against 14 rated New Zealand fields.
32 nm
To the nearest alternate
Woodbourne Airport (BHE).
Overview
Nelson Airport (NZNS / NSN) sits in Nelson, New Zealand, where it functions as a mid-sized airport. The field lies at an elevation of 17 feet. The airport supports scheduled airline service as well as private jet and charter movements.
NSN has no resident charter fleet; trips here are typically flown by operators repositioning from surrounding airports. Useful alternates include Woodbourne Airport (BHE, 32 nm), Wellington International Airport (WLG, 71 nm), and Westport Airport (WSZ, 79 nm). NSN offers 4 runways, the longest 4,420-foot paved runway, which supports charter types through the light jet class.
Quotes for flights out of NSN vary with aircraft type, repositioning, and schedule flexibility. Use the cost estimator to model a trip from NSN, or browse verified operators serving the area.
Run an FBO at NZNS? Become the preferred FBO
What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
3/ 5 reviews
Staff & service
“Nelson Airport is a small, clean, and well-organized airport with a welcoming atmosphere.”
DK Wickrama5★ on Google
2/ 5 reviews
Easy in & out
“Overall, a comfortable and efficient airport that provides everything you need for a hassle-free journey.”
DK Wickrama5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for Nelson Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
NZNS
IATA
NSN
FAA / Local
NZNS
Elevation
17 ft
Coordinates
41.2967° S · 173.2243° E
Airspace
G · GolfClass G, GolfUncontrolled field, no tower. Pilots self-announce and sequence themselves on the common traffic advisory frequency.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Medium
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs New Zealand fields
state range 4–2,153 ft
At 17 ft, NSN sits lower than 82% of the 38 New Zealand fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
4 runways
longest 4,420 ft
- 02/204,420 ft × 148 ftAsphaltLighted
- 02L/20R2,398 ft × 197 ftGrass / turfUnlit
- 17/351,970 ft × 197 ftGrass / turfUnlit
- 06/241,726 ft × 79 ftGrass / turfUnlit
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 4,420 ft
NSN's 4,420 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to light jets.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 32nmBHEWoodbourne AirportBlenheim
- 71nmWLGWellington International AirportWellington
- 79nmWSZWestport AirportWestport
- 83nmPPQParaparaumu Airport
- 111nmMROHood AirportMasterton
- 115nmWAGWanganui AirportWanganui
Location
Open the full mapNZNS · Nelson Airport · Nelson, New Zealand
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from NSN on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu (HNL) | 4,088 nm | 9h 54m |
| Los Angeles (VNY) | 5,891 nm | 14h 6m |
| San Francisco (SFO) | 5,907 nm | 14h 8m |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | 6,087 nm | 14h 33m |
| Scottsdale (SCF) | 6,104 nm | 14h 36m |
| Seattle (SEA) | 6,334 nm | 15h 8m |
| Salt Lake City (SLC) | 6,387 nm | 15h 15m |
| Anchorage (ANC) | 6,409 nm | 15h 18m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use NSN?
- Nelson Airport's longest paved runway is 4,420 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to light jets. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at NSN?
- Nelson Airport has 4 runways; the longest measures 4,420 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- What is the nearest major airport to NSN?
- The closest alternate is Woodbourne Airport (BHE), about 32 nm away, followed by Wellington International Airport (WLG) at 71 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from NSN to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Honolulu about 9h 54m (4,088 nm), Los Angeles about 14h 6m (5,891 nm), San Francisco about 14h 8m (5,907 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.