Extension of restricted air space over Christchurch

Police and the New Zealand Fire Service have advised that the Civil Aviation Authority is extending the restricted air space requirement over central Christchurch.

This extension is being put in place to enable USAR (urban search and rescue) teams to more effectively use listening equipment and other technical tools to detect signs of life within the search areas of central Christchurch.

With additional USAR teams coming in from overseas to assist with the operation, there will be more equipment operating at sites throughout the city.

The exclusion zone is currently the area bounded by the Four Avenues (Bealey/Fitzgerald/Moorhouse/Rolleston). This will now be extended to the area bounded approximately by Edgeware Road, Linwood Ave, Ensors Road, Brougham Street, Park Terrace and Papanui Road.

This is effective from 8pm tonight [Thursday] until further notice.