Airport With Plane Train Runway
Gisborne: A Runway Like No Other
At New Zealand’s Gisborne Airport, trains and planes literally share the same runway—a rare sight where two transport worlds collide.
Runway Meets Railway Line
The Palmerston North–Gisborne railway cuts directly across the airport’s main runway, creating one of the rarest layouts in global aviation.
Daily Operations in Harmony
Both trains and planes operate between 6:30 am and 8:30 pm. After hours, the runway closes to ensure safety for all scheduled movements.
Who Waits for Whom?
If a train is approaching, aircraft must wait. The airport controls the signals, halting trains when it’s time for a plane to take off or land.
Coordinated with Precision
Airport staff handle this daily dance with exact timing, making sure no train or aircraft ever enters the shared zone at the same time.
One of a Kind Worldwide
Wynyard Airport in Tasmania had a similar layout, but after 2005, Gisborne became the only airport where trains still cross a live runway.
A Scenic and Smart Gateway
Handling over 150,000 passengers annually and 60+ flights weekly, Gisborne proves that even small airports can operate with brilliant design.
Black Lion Image That Fooled All