Auckland Airport has officially passed the halfway mark of a major infrastructure upgrade, with over 50% of the terminal integration programme now having been delivered.
In FY26, Auckland Airport has commissioned almost 1 billion AUD worth of new aeronautical assets, including a 250,000-square-metre northern airfield expansion, as well as major stormwater infrastructure upgrades, both of which form part of the 3.9 billion AUD programme that also includes the integrated domestic jet terminal.
The full integration programme spans the new terminal, an expansion of the existing international terminal, a new baggage system, airfield development, transport connections and sustainability upgrades.
Over the past six months, the airport’s 520-square-metre Zone C has been hidden out of sight behind construction hoardings whilst crews have given the space a floor-to-ceiling overhaul. The airport has now confirmed the installation of 28 modern self-service kiosks and 15 automatic bag drops in a completely redesigned space, an upgrade that is expected to allow different airlines share kiosks, bag drops and check-in areas, rather than have facilities set aside for one carrier, enabling greater flexibility.
Auckland Airport Chief Executive, Carrie Hurihanganui, said:With the majority of international travel passing through Auckland Airport, and demand forecast to grow in the years ahead, we have a critical role to play in enabling New Zealand's growth and prosperity. We’re focused on getting on and delivering the infrastructure needed to support that.
Major projects are complete and others are moving quickly through construction, with significant technology improvements delivered alongside. There is plenty of work still ahead, but we’re really pleased with how the programme is tracking.
By 2030, passengers travelling on domestic jet services will be able to check-in alongside international travellers, with shared check-in facilities supporting both within the integrated terminal, and, over the coming weeks, select airlines will complete technical onboarding, testing, training and operational trials before Zone C check-in area reopens to the public later this year.
Once the new integrated terminal is open, the next check-in area will be installed behind hoardings as further check-in desks are replaced with self-service technology. Until construction is complete, airlines will continue to use a mix of desk-based or self-service check-in areas, including the temporary Zone T pavilion alongside the Transport Hub.
With the programme more than halfway complete, work over the next few years will shift toward the installation of a new front façade across the check-in hall, upgraded bathrooms and other amenities, new lifts and escalators, a new baggage handling system, and changes to departures security and passport checks.
