First virtual look at Auckland Airport’s new domestic aircraft terminal

Auckland Airport has offered a virtual first look at its new domestic aircraft terminal, which it says will serve generations of future passengers.

The $2.2 billion terminal is one part of the proposed major redevelopment of Auckland Airport and is expected to open by the end of the decade.

It takes design inspiration from Manukau Harbor and the surrounding landscape, what the airport calls “a simple, cost-effective design that focuses on doing the basics really well”.

“Easy to get around, efficient processing, a place to charge your phone and a comfortable place to sit while you wait for your flight – that’s what we’re going to offer our customers,” said Chief Customer Officer Scott Tasker.

The design has also been influenced by the stress of travel, according to Tasker, offering colours, lighting and simplicity to help travelers know where to go.

“It will be an end to the blind corners, fighting for available seats and aisle stops that mark the current domestic terminal experience – something we are proud that visitors to our city and country can experience.”

The airport claims the new terminal will have a significant improvement in customer processing, with a 44% increase in capacity.

For the past three years, Auckland Airport has been working on the design of the terminal.

As work on the construction site moves towards completion, the digital first look gives New Zealanders the chance to see what the future holds for those traveling domestically through Auckland.

When it opens, it is estimated that about 20,000 travelers will pass through there every day.

Auckland Airport said this means it needs to serve a range of people with different needs in a dignified manner.

It is designed to have 12 boarding gates for aircraft such as the Airbus A321 and, by combining two stands, it will be able to receive wide-body aircraft with more than 300 seats.

Dispute over spending

The terminal is expected to cost $2.2 billion in total, with an additional cost of $1.7 billion to integrate domestic and international travel with projects such as airfield improvements.

Regional jets will remain where they are for now.

“We have to address one thing at a time,” Tasker said.

While Auckland Airport said the spending is “in line with other comparable airport improvements around the world”, Air New Zealand has previously criticized the airport’s spending on new projects.

Currently, the airport charges $10.25 per passenger on a domestic plane. This will move to $15.45 by 2027, which the airport says is similar to other major Aotearoa airports.

“We have been careful to compare the layout of the terminal with that of other airports. “Like us, airports around the world are improving the infrastructure that was built to handle airplane flights in the 1960s and 1970s,” Tasker said.

“This means we have some good examples to refer to, including on the other side of Tasmania, where Brisbane Airport is underway with a A$5 billion (NZ$5.5 billion) program that includes a new third terminal and the remodeling of the existing terminal”.

Despite the comparisons, Air New Zealand has previously said the overall improvement will result in “unaffordable” airfares for some New Zealanders.

In February, the airline submitted an inquiry request to Trade Minister Andrew Bayly into “regulation failing to curb excessive spending at Auckland Airport”.

At the time, Greg Foran, chief executive of Air New Zealand, said the $7 billion to $8 billion in improvements was the most any privately owned airport had spent in such a short time.

“Air New Zealand agrees that the airport needs a refurbishment, but not at a cost that means some New Zealanders cannot afford to fly. “This issue affects all passengers flying through Auckland Airport, especially those from the regions.”

Today, Tasker said speculation that charges would rise to $46 per domestic passenger by 2032 was wrong.