The airport is the first major gateway in Australia to surpass total pre-pandemic passenger figures, though Melbourne in December outstripped its previous record for international capacity, and comes after a record 2023 for Perth with more than 15 million passengers in the calendar year.
The extension, expected to commence shortly and complete by mid-2025, will add 1,700 long-term parking spaces to the current P2 carpark, removing the existing 30-minute parking area and spaces for vehicles over 2.4 metres in height. Solar panels will also be added to the carpark’s roof.
The current terminal was designed for 1.5 million passengers per year and currently handles 2.6 million, with forecasts of 3.5 million by 2030. The upgrade – to be carried out by Hutchinson Builders – will see the terminal double in size, with works expected to be completed by early 2027.
The new stage, slated to open in 2026, will directly connect Tullamarine Freeway to dedicated pick-up and drop-off areas at the carpark for Terminals 1, 2 and 3, which the airport says will enhance safety and reduce traffic congestion.
Qantas said the added transparency would vindicate its consistent denial of “slot hoarding” accusations, while Virgin and Bonza have labelled the changes "a step in the right direction".
The carrier says Auckland Airport’s multi-billion-dollar redevelopment, to take place over 10 years and be funded in part by increases to aeronautical charges, will lead to “unaffordable airfares for some Kiwis”. It has lodged an official request with NZ Commerce Minister Andrew Bayly for an inquiry.