24 August 2004
Auckland Airport announces further terminal development
Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) chief executive officer, Don Huse, today said that the airport company
had commenced work on two further construction projects in the international terminal, reflecting the unprecedented
growth in passenger numbers travelling through the port.
Don Huse said that after a number of months of planning and development with the Government agencies involved, work was
now underway on two projects expected to be complete by the peak Christmas period.
"We have been working with Customs and Immigration, as well as MAF on the areas that needed most urgent attention," he
said, "The developments that have now commenced construction will bring about faster processing times and greater
passenger capacity at New Zealand's gateway airport."
In the first project, the airport is to reconfigure the emigration, or departures, area in order to more efficiently use
the space available. It will increase from 15 to 18 the number of Customs booths available and also create two more
Aviation Security Service screening points for a total of six.
The second programme of work occurs in the immigration (arrivals) area, where Auckland Airport will increase the number
of Customs primary counters from 25 to 32 and will be reconfiguring the public arrivals area in order to enlarge the
amount of space available for Customs secondary screening and MAF processing, with the number of MAF x-ray screening
points increasing from seven to eight.
"The changes that we are undertaking will allow for faster passenger processing and the ability to handle the greater
number of passengers using Auckland International Airport," Huse commented, "They will provide an enduring welcome to
and farewell from New Zealand. These developments are important for both the future of Auckland Airport and the tourism
industry in this country."
These latest changes come on top of a raft of developments occurring at Auckland International Airport. The airport is
constructing 12 new check-in counters, adding new aircraft hard stand areas capable of fully-servicing either four
B747-sized or six mid-sized aircraft, adding a second level to the international pier in order to fully separate
arriving and departing passengers and implementing a 100 per cent hold stowed baggage screening programme.
To keep the travelling public informed of developments, a website has been established:
www.buildingnewzealandsgateway.com will feature regular updates on construction activity and details of the projects
being undertaken.
The airport company announces its annual results this Thursday, 26 August.
ENDS