Three Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft soared over Christchurch Airport for the final time Tuesday.
The flyover at 12:25 p.m. drew hundreds of aviation enthusiasts who lined roads around the airport, eager for a last glimpse of the legendary aircraft before it overflew Christchurch City on its New Zealand-wide retirement flight.
Christchurch Airport has been the launchpad for vital Antarctic flights utilising the Hercules for decades. The aircraft has played a critical role in supporting scientific research and transport operations to Antarctica since the 1950s.
Sean Tully, spokesperson for Christchurch Airport, paid tribute to the aircraft’s remarkable legacy.
“The Hercules is an icon of the skies—versatile, dependable, and an important part of Christchurch’s history,” Tully said. “From Antarctic missions to disaster response, it has served our city and beyond with distinction. We’ll certainly miss seeing it fly over Ōtautahi – Christchurch.”
A typical RNZAF Hercules flight to Antarctica takes about seven hours, carrying scientists, passengers, and essential cargo to support research programmes.
The Hercules has been a mainstay of Operation Antarctica, one of the New Zealand Defence Force’s largest summer deployments and most enduring missions.
Beyond its Antarctic service, the Hercules played a vital role in Christchurch’s response to the 22 February 2011 earthquake, with RNZAF squadrons and units providing aerial imagery of damaged infrastructure and transporting Urban Search and Rescue and other essential personnel to Christchurch.
The aircraft established an airbridge between Christchurch and Wellington, evacuating over 4,800 civilians and delivering more than 300,000 kilograms of essential supplies from Wellington and Auckland.
At the peak of operations, three Hercules aircraft worked tirelessly to ferry casualties and stranded tourists to the North Island—the largest single movement of personnel and freight in RNZAF history.
Most recently, Christchurch Airport’s facilities made it an ideal operating base for a C-130 Hercules during the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow, where the aircraft was a highlight for spectators.
The retirement of the Hercules fleet marks the end of an era for both the RNZAF and Christchurch. However, the legacy of this iconic aircraft will live on in the history of the city, Antarctica, and beyond.
As the familiar hum of its four engines fades from Canterbury skies, the C-130 Hercules leaves behind a legacy of service, resilience, and connection that has shaped Christchurch’s identity as a gateway to Antarctica and a hub of scientific exploration.
