Imagine arriving at an airport not just to see planes soaring overhead, but also trains casually rolling across the same runway. Welcome to Gisborne Airport, a small but fascinating airport on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island, where technology, timing, and teamwork come together in perfect sync. This isn’t science fiction. It’s a real-life marvel where the Palmerston North-Gisborne railway line crosses right through the main runway. Here, instead of jets rushing past each other, you might just spot a train and a plane patiently taking turns  a sight that leaves visitors awestruck and camera-ready. 

A Glimpse into the Heart of Gisborne

Located in the Elgin neighborhood of Gisborne, this airport is one of 62 airports in New Zealand. Despite its size, it serves more than 1.5 lakh passengers a year and operates over 60 domestic flights per week. While its statistics may sound modest, what makes Gisborne Airport unforgettable is its incredible runway setup. The airport is spread over 160 hectares of land and features not just one but three subsidiary runways in addition to the main one. But it's the railway line slicing right through the primary runway that truly puts it on the world map.

Trains on the Tarmac: How It Works

Every day between 6:30 am and 8:30 pm, the runway at Gisborne is active for both air and rail traffic. Outside of these hours, operations are paused, and the runway is closed for safety. The system here is simple yet impressive. When a train approaches, the airport’s traffic control staff halts any air traffic. Similarly, if a plane is about to land or take off, the airport controls the railway signals, instructing trains to stop. 

It’s a delicate dance of coordination, one that the airport staff performs daily with high precision. On average, vintage trains, often carrying tourists during the summer cruise season, cross the runway around 15 times a year. These trains are not just modes of transport; they are part of the experience for those visiting this unique region of New Zealand. For the people working at Gisborne Airport, it’s not just about managing machines and schedules; it’s about keeping people safe while ensuring that both the sky and the tracks run like clockwork. 

There’s a quiet heroism in how the staff handles this extraordinary arrangement. Imagine the responsibility of ensuring that a train carrying excited tourists doesn’t delay a flight or that an aircraft with a tight turnaround doesn’t run into an unexpected rail crossing. It’s teamwork, timing, and trust—values that are deeply human. For the locals and travelers alike, this site has become a symbol of coexistence and coordination. It’s a place where engineers, pilots, drivers, and controllers come together to manage something few in the world can even imagine.

Rare, Real, and Remarkable

Gisborne is the only airport in the world today where trains still cross an active runway. A similar setup once existed at Wynyard Airport in Tasmania, but rail operations there ended in 2005. This makes Gisborne not just unique in New Zealand but globally unmatched. And it’s not just the infrastructure that’s rare. The moments captured here—a plane waiting for a train to pass or a locomotive idling as a flight takes off—are frequently shared online, turning this tiny airport into a social media sensation. 

Beyond the runway, Gisborne Airport serves as a gateway to the region’s beauty. From tranquil beaches to rolling green hills and Maori heritage sites, this part of New Zealand has much to offer. But what stays with travellers most isn’t just the destination; it’s the experience of arriving in a place where time seems to slow down, just long enough for a train to pass. This airport stands as a symbol of harmony between the old and the new, between rail and air, and between human responsibility and mechanical power.

Gisborne Airport may not be the largest, busiest, or flashiest airport in the world. But it’s certainly one of the most special. Here, trains and planes don’t compete; they cooperate with perfect timing, everyday patience, and human ingenuity at their core. So, the next time someone asks you about extraordinary travel experiences, you can say, “I know of a place where trains cross the runway.” And it’s not a dream. It’s Gisborne.