The airport takes its name from the local pioneer aviator, Richard Pearse, who allegedly flew in powered flight before the Wright Brothers.
The airport is a small regional airport with one gate, one asphalt runway, and two grass runways.
The South Canterbury Aero Club is based at the airport and frequently uses the airport for training and recreational purposes.

There are regular Air New Zealand Link flights to Wellington using Bombardier Q300 aircraft, formerly flights were operated to Oamaru and Christchurch.
Timaru, along with Invercargill to its south, are the only two major centres without a direct air service to Auckland (although direct Auckland-Invercargill flights are commencing from August 2019).
Eagle Airways used to operate from Timaru to Wellington with Beechcraft 1900D aircraft.
The airport takes its name from the local pioneer aviator, Richard Pearse, who allegedly flew in powered flight before the Wright Brothers. The airport is a small regional airport with one gate, one asphalt runway, and two grass runways. The South Canterbury Aero Club is based at the airport and frequently uses the airport for training and recreational purposes.
There are regular Air New Zealand Link flights to Wellington using Bombardier Q300 aircraft, formerly flights were operated to Oamaru and Christchurch. Timaru, along with Invercargill to its south, are the only two major centres without a direct air service to Auckland (although direct Auckland-Invercargill flights are commencing from August 2019). Eagle Airways used to operate from Timaru to Wellington with Beechcraft 1900D aircraft.
Richard Pearse Airport