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Auckland Airport is set to redevelop its international departures dining precinct, introducing new hospitality concepts, expanded seating and more sustainable operations as it looks to enhance the airside experience for travellers.
The upgrade, which begins this month, will refresh the precinct for the first time in almost a decade. Around 16,000 passengers depart the international terminal each day, with airport figures showing more than 1,500 burgers, 500 chicken salads and 6,000 serves of fries are sold daily across the existing airside eateries.
The redevelopment will see more than 2,600sqm of flooring replaced across level one and level two departures areas, while increasing seating capacity by 15 per cent and adding more spaces for travellers to charge their devices.
By the end of the year, level one is expected to feature around 10 new or refurbished dining outlets, bringing the total number of airside eateries to 15. Auckland Airport says the refreshed mix will combine international brands with local food offerings, while popular venues including Vantage Bar and Kitchen have already undergone refurbishment.
Auckland Airport chief commercial officer Mark Thomson says travellers increasingly expected more variety and spaces designed for comfort before boarding.
“We know they want more than a food court,” he says. “We’re working hard to deliver an experience that reflects the best of Aotearoa and the world.”
The redevelopment will also advance the airport’s sustainability objectives. New tenancies and some refurbished outlets will transition to electric cooking, building on the zero-gas approach adopted at Mānawa Bay.
At the same time, level one operators will move to reusable crockery and cutlery by default for dine-in customers, supported by an onsite sorting and cleaning operation. The initiative contributes to Auckland Airport’s goal of reducing aeronautical waste sent to landfill by 20 per cent by 2030, compared with a 2019 baseline.
The works will be completed in stages, with food and beverage services continuing to operate throughout the redevelopment period.
