Taking Shape

And that figure is set to keep growing.

With 28 international carriers now linking Auckland direct to 45 destinations around the world, the airport will continue to host the lion’s share of the 3. 5 million tourists that visit New Zealand each year. To service this booming traffic 20,000 people work at 800 businesses across the airport precinct.

But the airport’s current design has reached its peak; threatening to put pressure not only on airport operations, but the New Zealand economy as a whole. Thus, this critical piece of national infrastructure is undergoing the most significant development works since it first opened.

Means to an end

Despite a major refresh just over a decade ago, the growth experienced at Auckland International has outpaced its facilities. Anticipating this ongoing trend, the airport released a 30-year masterplan in 2014.

This detailed roadmap outlines how the airport will incrementally evolve in such a way that once work is complete; the facility will be barely recognisable.

The first phase is two-fold – a major update of the departure experience, combined with an extension to Pier B, to allow for additional aircraft gates. This translates into a capital works program that is costing the airport NZ$1m per day, with a particular focus being placed on designing a space that represents all that is New Zealand.

“As New Zealand’s main international gateway, it’s important for us to not simply provide a world-class facility, but an environment that celebrates the very special characteristics of our country,” says Adrian Littlewood, Auckland Airport’s chief executive.

“The design story behind our new departure experience follows a uniquely New Zealand journey from the sea, through the forest and mountains to the sky, beginning at the entrance to passport control and culminating at the final walk to the gate. ”

Scope of works

The first phase of works, when completed in late 2018, will more than double the space available for lounges, retail, restaurants and bars.

This upsizing is important if Auckland is to keep up with demand for new point-to-point routes to Asia, America and Australia.

“The number of airlines operating out of Auckland Airport has increased by 50 per cent in the last 18 months – meaning we now have 28 international carriers connecting to 45 destinations,” comments Littlewood.

“Australia remains our biggest market, and China our second biggest, however this year we’ve seen strong growth in visitors from America (up 37 per cent), Korea (up 23 per cent) and Europe (up 13 per cent) on the back of enhanced connectivity and capacity and the successful marketing of New Zealand’s year-round appeal. ” As Air New Zealand’s main hub the airport is also experiencing a boost in transit passengers, up by 28 per cent last financial year.

To accommodate this growth, the scope of works is significant. Yet the airport will remain fully operational for the duration of the project. To enable this, newly created areas will be opened in stages, allowing existing spaces to be closed off with minimal disruption to the passenger experience.

The current phase kicked off in earnest in late 2015 when Air New Zealand’s new $14 million lounge opened.

Occupying space once dedicated to a public viewing platform, the new lounge offers a range of themed zones with delights including a gastronomic-theatre, bars, lounge areas, a winter garden and a two-storey kids’ playing zone.

This move meant the airport was able to take control of the old lounge space, which Littlewood explains will become a new lounge operated by Auckland airport.

“As part of this upgrade we will be opening a new premium lounge. The lounge is being designed to meet the expectations of both business and leisure travellers through the integration of the expected premium lounge amenities alongside new features such as relaxation pods, a bookable meeting room and a working kitchen. ”

Business as usual

The majority of the current work focuses on improving capacity and the customer experience across the international departures concourse, as well as expanding Pier B, to help alleviate the parking shortage at the terminal.

But the terminal will remain fully operational during the redevelopment.

To minimise disruption during construction, cleverly constructed barriers have been erected to hide construction. While the main departures area does seem a bit tight, the work has been masked in such a way that a preoccupied traveller could be forgiven for not noticing.

One of the hallmarks of the work is the re-creation of the central shopping precinct. This will see existing stores rebuilt and replaced with newer, modern designs. To facilitate this phase, special passenger walkways will be built, enabling departing travellers to bypass the construction entirely.

“Our retail mix, which we have curated to offer the best in New Zealand and the world, reflects the interests and expectations of our broad passenger audience. For example, iconic New Zealand brands like Icebreaker provide international visitors with a lasting memento of New Zealand, while our audience of New Zealand travellers see us as a unique shopping destination, where they can access some of the world’s most interesting and exclusive brands,” Littlewood says.

At completion, the new retail ‘high street’ will emphasise New Zealand’s natural beauty with artistic depictions of Kauri forests and volcanic craters, complemented by native plants.

The first half of the new duty free shopping project and the new security processing area is scheduled to open in June.

Lounging around

Significant work is being done to upgrade the departure experience. This approach extends to both sides of the often-stressful immigration and security zone.

A new waterfall at the landside to airside farewell point will signify the start of this experience, while the security area itself is being expanded and upgraded to improve traffic flow and reduce crowding.

Following security, a ‘recompose lobby’ will offer a resting point, preceding the upcoming refurbished retail area.

An updated departure lounge will introduce a mix of seating zones to suit large groups as well as the solo traveller. The area will benefit from a new mezzanine level, which will greatly improve the sense of spaciousness. Comfortable seating, as well as new bars and restaurants will occupy the mezzanine space, with a focus on New Zealand produce and brands.

The airport’s new business lounge will occupy pride of place within the departures area. Replacing the existing Emperor Lounge, it will cater for a variety of airlines including Virgin Australia, Korean Air, Hong Kong Airlines and China Southern.

This increased space will complement the infrastructure development, which is seeing two new gates and gate lounges added. These gates will both be A380 capable and will reduce the need for aircraft to be parked at remote bays during the day.

Finally, construction of a new, 250 room five star Pullman hotel is due to commence by the end of the year with a planned late 2019 opening.

Fit for purpose

Transforming Auckland International is a major part of the rich tapestry of managing ‘Brand New Zealand’. And as the nation’s major airport, it is a task that Adrian Littlewood takes very seriously.

“Our customer audience isn’t just getting bigger, but wider too, with new services opening up travel opportunities to/from new global cities. Therefore it’s important that we provide variety and choice as well as quality customer service,” Littlewood comments.

“When we talk to airlines about new routes or additional capacity, these conversations are predicated on a qualified understanding of demand for travel and prospective passenger flows to and from New Zealand. ” Certainly an expanded and upgraded airport will greatly help those traffic flows to continue to grow.

Our customer audience isn’t just getting bigger, but wider too. ADRIAN LOCKWOOD