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Families making the most of the mid-winter break means a couple of busy weeks at Auckland Airport these July school holidays.
Auckland Airport chief operations officer, Chloe Surridge says around 55,000 people will be taking to the skies on the busiest days over the school break at Auckland Airport – the equivalent to the entire population of Nelson arriving and departing on peak days.
“We’ve got a busy weekend ahead of us as families gear up for the school holidays. There’s not quite as many people flying as the peak of summer, but the July break is traditionally when we see strong demand for both domestic and international travel.
“Australia is by far and away our most popular international destination, with China, the United States and Fiji in the next three spots. That’s driven by a mix of people using the school holiday break to go further afield to catch up with friends and family, or to hit the northern hemisphere tourism sights where the weather is warm.
“Locally, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown are the top three destinations from Auckland.”
With construction of the new domestic jet terminal in full swing, there are a few changes at the international terminal to allow the building work to be completed while keeping travellers safe.
“Shutting up shop isn’t an option for an airport, so we’ve got to get the work done while staying fully operational. That means temporary changes to access in and around the terminal. We are working hard to minimise the disruption as much as possible and we appreciate your patience as we upgrade the airport.”
Recent changes include a new walk between the terminals – the green line – being adjusted to skirt around the construction of the new domestic jet hub while also showcasing 36 spectacular Department of Conservation walks from across New Zealand. A new Park & Ride car park on Puhinui Road is now open, offering another parking option for travellers coming from the south.
At the domestic terminal, a bathroom refresh, including a new parent room and three gender-neutral toilets, has been completed. Additional seating space beyond security will also be opening mid-way through the first week of the school holidays.
