Auckland Airport upgrades facilities

Auckland Airport upgrades facilities to improve passenger experience

Improved passenger processing and higher service standards will be the result of the upgraded and expanded facilities being developed by Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL).

AIAL chief executive Don Huse said the airport's comprehensive growth investment programme was focusing on enhancing the overall passenger experience.

"We processed a record 153,453 arriving and departing international passengers (excluding transits and transfers) for the week ending 24 December 2006. The passenger numbers over this period were handled smoothly and without fuss. The entire airport community worked hard together to ensure seamless processing during what turned out to be the busiest week in the international airport's history," said Mr Huse.

"Our strategic investment programme is designed to ensure that, as the country's main international gateway, we can continue to promote the anticipated strong growth in tourism. It will enable us to deliver high quality facilities and services for travellers and our airline customers. We also intend to be well prepared to welcome the tens of thousands of people who will visit our country for the Rugby World Cup in 2011".

AIAL is mid-way through the penultimate year of a four-year, $500 million capital expenditure programme and is also progressing a number of sustainability initiatives, including a travel plan for staff.

Projects such as the new upper level on the international terminal ($47 million), new hold stow baggage screening ($28 million) and rehabilitation/widening of the main runway ($37 million over four years) have already been successfully completed.

Several other major projects are currently under way. These include terminal upgrades and expansion and initial engineering work for the first stage of the new northern runway. The new runway, which is scheduled to be operational in 2010 or 2011, will free up capacity on the main southern runway and apron space around the domestic terminal.

AIAL is also undertaking a substantial upgrade to the domestic terminal precinct. A key component of this project is the renovation of the Air New Zealand domestic terminal, which is being completed in conjunction with the national airline.

"The strong increase in domestic passenger volumes in recent years required greater processing capacity and significantly enhanced service standards and amenities in the domestic precinct", said Mr Huse.

"Once fully completed, the standard of the upgraded domestic terminal will be significantly improved."

Mr Huse said that, despite a tight, live construction site, architects, engineers and builders are doing their utmost to minimise the impact on travellers and other airport users and customers. The renovation of the Air New Zealand terminal is expected to be completed in December this year.

In the first stage of the domestic terminal "extreme makeover", new facilities for regional airline customers including check-in, a separate baggage claim area, a lounge and new café were completed shortly before Christmas 2006.

The upgrading of the domestic facilities has also included:

* New forecourts and road layout; * An 850-space multi-level car park with covered walkway access into the domestic terminal precinct; and * A 2,200 square metre retail, food and beverage precinct.

Work on an expanded arrivals area ($100 million over two years) in the international terminal is also under way. It is due for completion by mid-2008. This will provide significantly more space for border screening. It will also increase flexibility and reduce peak time delays. The project will also allow AIAL to develop an enhanced arrivals duty-free retail facility.

The company is also developing a new pier (Pier B) at the international terminal ($50 million). This will connect to the new expanded arrivals development and provide two more contact gates (each with two airbridges), reducing the need to provide buses to and from aircraft and also providing A380 capable dual-airbridges.

Mr Huse said that the major growth investment programme was based on the airport's masterplan, published in March 2006. This most important plan was developed following consultation with airline customers and other airport stakeholders. It is consistent with the Manukau District Plan and provides a clear growth path to achieve the most efficient and effective development of the airport.

In another development, New Zealand's first airport marae was blessed at Auckland last November. Protocol (kawa) is Tainui and the marae is available for use by people from all ethnic groups and the wider tourism community.

The company's sustainability initiatives include a travel plan for staff. The plan, called lift, includes a tool whereby airport workers can match up with potential car pool partners on a website. Aircraft noise, energy use, waste disposal and water management all continue to be closely monitored and proactively managed. New terminal building developments include a range of energy saving measures such as the use of efficient lighting that responds to demand.

AIAL will also be expanding its sustainability reporting within its 2007 annual report.

ENDS

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