Auckland Airport has reaffirmed its commitment towards building an integrated domestic and international terminal, as well as developing a number of key surrounding projects such as a new Transport Hub and outlet shopping destination Mānawa Bay, all of which will amount to a significant investment of around NZ$3.9 billion (US$2.5 billion).
The terminal integration programme – a significant part of the airport’s wider 10-year-capital programme – will bring domestic travel and international travel together under the same roof for the first time since 1977, via an expansion at the eastern end of the existing international terminal building.
Set to open between 2028 and 2029, Carrie Hurihanganui, Auckland Airport’s chief executive, said that the new integrated terminal “will make Auckland Airport fit for the future”, and provide an improved experience for travellers.
Domestic jet to international transfer will involve a brief five-minute indoor walk, while state-of-the-art check-in facilities for both domestic and international travellers will save traveller time and reduce friction at either end of a flight. The Transport Hub on the doorstop of the international terminal will also offer links to public transportation.
Airlines will be supported by new gates and other facilities to help them speed-up turn-around processes.
The new combined terminal will add floor space across two levels to the existing international terminal building, with the wider integration programme including significant upgrades to airfield pavement and underlying utilities. Some 2,000 additional jobs will be created as a result of the project.
The airport has also set its eyes firmly on a low carbon future, and is investing heavily in sustainability.
“We have worked very closely with major airlines to understand their needs and requirements, including the investment they’re making in larger domestic aircraft, and their planned future low carbon aircraft. We are supporting airlines by installing ground power units at each gate to supply power to aircraft, helping to reduce fuel use,” elaborated Hurihanganui.
Along with ground power units for aircraft, the upgraded airfield surrounding the new combined terminal will provide charging for electric ground handling equipment and vehicles. Design and construction materials for the combined terminal will be selected to reduce the building’s carbon footprint as much as possible, alongside a focus on waste minimisation and water efficiency.
She noted: “Without the right airport infrastructure, any airline aspirations to a low carbon future will not be achieved.”
While the new combined terminal is under construction, domestic travel will continue to operate from the existing domestic terminal. Hurihanganui noted that facilities such as bathrooms, helpdesks and dwell spaces in the existing domestic terminal will also undergo an uplift to ensure travellers remain comfortable.
One of Auckland Airport’s other developments is Mānawa Bay. Currently under construction and set to be completed late 2024, Mānawa Bay will comprise 100 retail shops, an expansive al fresco space, a play zone for kids, and a dining precinct with possibly 13 F&B operators. The dining precinct will have a zero natural or LPG gas policy, which is expected to eliminate up to 57 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions from its kitchens.
Speaking at TRENZ 2023, Hurihanganui shared: “Cutting out the use of gas on site is an important step towards achieving a 5 Green Star rating for Mānawa Bay and supporting Auckland Airport’s decarbonisation pathway to achieve net zero direct carbon emissions by 2030. It is one of several initiatives that we hope will support the way future developments of this kind are planned.”
Mānawa Bay will also support the largest rooftop solar system in the country. With the ability to generate 2.3 megawatts of power, the solar array is planned to support more than 80 per cent of the shopping centre’s anticipated power usage.
Prior to transferring to Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, he was area general manager overseeing four resorts – Centra by Centara Maris Resort Jomtien, Centara Q Resort Rayong, Centara Chaan Talay Resort & Villas Trat, and Centara Koh Chang Tropicana Resort.
Prior to joining The Hotel Britomart, Swan was client value manager with Corporate Travel Management in Auckland, New Zealand.
Costello is deputy chair of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, interim chair of the Queensland First Nations Tourism Council, and has been appointed to Queensland Government’s Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Committee.
New Zealand’s national carrier, Air New Zealand, made several key announcements on May 10 at TRENZ 2023, which includes a significant investment in its fleet, expansion in capacity, and future marketing plans, as well as revealed more details about Skynest, the world’s first sleep pods in the sky.
The airline’s NZ$3.5 billion (US$2.2 billion) investment includes the purchase of eight new 787-9 Dreamliners and five Airbus A320neo that will be deployed on its Tasman and Pacific Island services. The investment also includes interior refurbishment of 14 Boeing 787 aircraft and installation of new Business Premier Luxe product. Work is expected to start next year.
It is also in final negotiations to lease another Boeing 777-300ER, which could add 3,000 more seats per week to the airline’s international network. This would bring the total 777-300 fleet to eight.
“Across our international network, capacity is back to about 91 per cent of pre-Covid (levels) and bookings are steady. We’re now at 30 routes, having returned to Bali in March,” Greg Foran, chief executive, Air New Zealand, said during a media briefing.
Within Asia, Air New Zealand’s capacity is at 117 per cent of pre-Covid levels, with Singapore a key hub, particularly for connections to India and Europe. Demand out of China is “rebuilding slowly but surely”, noted Foran, adding that Air China, an alliance partner, restarted its Beijing-Auckland route earlier this month.
Domestic flights are back to pre-Covid levels, where 15,000 seats were added every week over summer. Regional flights out of Christchurch and Auckland have also increased.
“We know it’s not just about bringing overseas visitors to New Zealand but also giving them plenty of options to explore around Aotearoa New Zealand,” Foran pointed out.
During the media briefing, the airline revealed more details about Skynest, where a prototype was available onsite at TRENZ for industry stakeholders to explore.
Located between Premium Economy and Economy, the Skynest is a six-pod configured sleep zone that will offer four-hour sessions for economy passengers to stretch out and lie down. Each passenger will be limited to one session, and each pod will feature a full-size pillow, sheets and blanket, ear plugs, a separate reading light, USB outlet, ventilation outlet, seatbelt, and lighting designed for rest.
The bedding will be changed between each session, and a 30-minute transition time will be allowed for this. The lights will gently come on at the end of each session, and crew will politely wake any passengers who sleep through this.
“We’re still working through the exact details of how the booking process will work, and we have yet to determine the price. At this stage, we are looking at around NZ$400 to NZ$500 for the four-hour period,” shared Air New Zealand’s chief customer and sales officer, Leanne Geraghty.
Geraghty added that the Skynest – designed and to be installed in Aotearoa – will be made available from September 2024 on Air New Zealand’s ultra-longhaul flights, starting with the Auckland-New York and Auckland-Chicago routes.
Air New Zealand will also be investing NZ$30 million in marketing campaigns this financial year in key markets, and continue to rebuild its offshore sales and marketing teams.
Foran added: “Our relationship with Tourism New Zealand is one of our most important marketing partnerships. Teaming up makes every dollar go further to raise destination awareness and it was great to re-sign our MoU last year to promote New Zealand offshore.”