Auckland International Airport is undergoing a series of infrastructure upgrades as part of a major transformation programme to address growing passenger demand for air travel.
Operated by Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL), the airport intends to invest approximately NZD2bn ($1.41bn) by 2022 to improve its facilities.
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Auckland Airport announced the transformation plan in June 2017 following consultations with airlines and other stakeholders. To be carried out in phases between 2018 and 2022, the development programme will allow the airport to handle approximately 40 million passengers and 260,000 flights by 2044.
Auckland airport masterplan
The infrastructure development programme includes eight key projects and is based on a 30-year masterplan of Auckland Airport. Unveiled in 2014, the vision document outlined the plans for the airport of the future.
The development is planned to be implemented in four phases. Phase one includes a series of infrastructure improvement projects to be implemented between 2018 and 2022.
Phase two will involve the construction of a new 2.98km-long northern runway, which is expected to become operational by 2028. The third phase of the programme will include the expansion of the international and domestic terminal piers by 2044.
Planned to be executed after 2044, the final phase will cover further extension of the northern runway and additional improvements to the road network outside the terminal area.
Auckland airport transformation details
The airport transformation programme includes the construction of a new domestic jet terminal facility, which will be integrated with the international terminal. The domestic jet terminal aims to improve capacity and passenger experience.
The international arrivals area at the airport will undergo a 30,000m² expansion and upgrade, which is anticipated to begin in mid-2020. The project will include a new arrivals hall and provide additional area for border processing agencies. The expanded arrivals area is expected to be ready by late 2023.
Auckland Airport is also working on delivering enhancements to the domestic terminal. Once operational, the improved terminal will have an expanded food court area, more space for aviation security screening and a new retail area.
A new luxury Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel is being built close to the terminal under a 50:50 partnership between Auckland Airport and Tainui Group Holdings (TGH). The hotel will feature 311 rooms, as well as a restaurant and bar on the top floor.
Infrastructure improvements at Auckland airport
In February 2020, the redevelopment and road-widening of Laurence Stevens Drive commenced to improve transport links to the airport from the south. The project will add a high-occupancy vehicle lane for shuttles and buses, and will also create additional bus stops.
The airport began work on a park and ride facility for visitors coming from the south in November 2019. The project will add 3,200 new car parking spaces by December 2020.
The Northern Network project is also being executed to transform the main entranceway and support new public transport connections. The project includes widening George Bolt Memorial Drive, which is the main road connecting the airport and the north.
A new one-way loop road will allow free flow of traffic through a pick-up/drop-off zone at the international terminal. It will link the terminal to George Bolt Memorial Drive.
Runway and airfield expansion details
Consent for building a second runway was obtained in 2002. The new runway will be built to the north of new combined domestic and international terminal. The 2,983m-long runway will run parallel to the existing southern runway. Originally designed as a 2,150m long, the length of the runway is proposed to be extended to 2,983m to accommodate larger aircraft such as A380, B787, and B777.
The airfield expansion project will include the conversion of approximately 257,000m² of land into the airfield, and construction of a dual taxiway and six remote stands.
In addition, a 7,450m-long stormwater drainage system and a 2,400m-long new fuel reticulation pipeline will be installed as part of the airfield development.
Construction works
A ground-breaking ceremony of the airfield expansion project was held in August 2019. The overall expansion will be completed in three years. Taxiways are expected to become operational by 2020, while the remote stands will be ready by 2021.
Construction of the Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel commenced in August 2019.
The airport began work on the first section of the pipeline that will carry fuel throughout the airfield in December 2019. The pipeline network will have the capacity to pump up to 14,300l of fuel per minute.
Contractors involved
CPB Contractors was awarded a contract to deliver the international taxiway and remote stands project in support of the airport expansion programme in August 2019.
Dominion Constructors received a contract for the construction of the Te Arikinui Pullman Hotel in July 2019.
Auckland Airport appointed a consortium of Mott MacDonald, Grimshaw, Architectus and Holmes Consulting to prepare a concept design of the combined domestic and international terminal.
