Welcome to Gisborne Airport: The only airport in the world where trains cross the runway

Gisborne Airport: The Rare Place Where Trains and Planes Share the Same Runway

In a world where airports and railways usually operate in isolation, Gisborne Airport stands out as a fascinating exception. Nestled on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island, this regional airport is globally unique — it features an active railway line that runs directly across its main runway.

Spanning approximately 160 hectares, Gisborne Airport is bisected by the Palmerston North–Gisborne rail line, creating a striking intersection where trains and planes take turns to pass. It’s one of the very few locations on Earth — and now possibly the only one — where such a setup is still operational.

Operations at the airport and the railway line run daily between 6:30 am and 8:30 pm, after which both are shut for the night. During these hours, a tight coordination mechanism ensures safety and efficiency. Remarkably, it’s the airport’s air traffic control team that manages the railway signals, stopping trains when a plane is scheduled to land or take off.

Whenever a train is due, incoming or outgoing aircraft must wait — and vice versa. The coordination of train and flight movements is a logistical feat managed meticulously by the airport team.

Historically, Wynyard Airport in Tasmania had a similar runway-railway intersection, but its rail operations ended in 2005. That makes Gisborne Airport the only remaining airport in the world where trains still cross an active runway — a quirky fact that continues to intrigue travellers and aviation enthusiasts alike.

Despite its small size, the airport is bustling, with over 60 domestic flights weekly and handling more than 150,000 passengers annually. In addition to the central runway that shares space with the railway, the airport also features three auxiliary runways, contributing to its functional versatility.

Beyond the novelty, Gisborne Airport serves as a key travel hub for the region and offers access to some of New Zealand’s stunning coastal landscapes and scenic countryside. But it’s the unforgettable sight of a train and an aircraft patiently awaiting their turn on the same strip of tarmac that makes this airport a global aviation curiosity and a social media favourite.