Ashburton District Council owns the Ashburton Airport. Facilities consist of four unsealed runways, one of which is lit to enable night flying. The installation of lights was undertaken by the Mid Canterbury Aero Club at their cost. Council currently leases sites for hangars and other airport activities.

The airport occupies over 100 hectares and is located on the outskirts of Ashburton, 5.5 kilometres from the town centre.
 

Ashburton Aviation Museum
The airport boasts an outstanding Aviation Museum which is home to some of New Zealand's most unique aircraft, including the GR3 Harrier VTOL JetFighter, 1933 Porterfield, B2 Canberra Bomber cockpit and the 1942 German Veihe Glider.

The Ashburton Aviation Museum is open daily 1pm – 3pm with extended hours on Saturday 9am – 4 pm & Wednesday 10am – 3 pm.  Cost of entry - $5. To arrange to visit the museum outside of these hours please phone: 03 308 6408.
 

Southern DC3 ZK-Amy Aircraft
The Ashburton Airport is also home to the Southern DC3 ZK-AMY aircraft.

The DC3 is a legend around the world and nowhere more than in NZ. Since its first flight in 1935 the DC3 has continuously impressed with its reliability, safety and style, along with the ability to earn its way in a world of rapidly advancing technology.

ZK-AMY began life flying for the US Air Force in 1944, she flew Australia from top to bottom between 1947–1994 and most recently flew with Pionair and Vincent Aviation.

Yet, with just 18,000 hours logged against her airframe, she is literally the youngest airworthy DC3 in the Southern Hemisphere. For further information please visit the Southern DC3 website (see link).