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Auckland Airport is getting underway with a major upgrade of the domestic airfield as part of a programme of infrastructure works to help enable future growth in flights to regional destinations across New Zealand.
To make way for four new aircraft parking stands dedicated to regional services, car parks next to the domestic terminal will shift as part of a wider push to increase regional seat capacity and improve national connectivity.
The $147 million project, which forms part of the airport’s wider upgrades, has the potential to add nearly 100,000 additional seats annually for travellers heading out to heartland New Zealand when the project is expected to complete in 2028.
Auckland Airport chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui says it was a necessary to ensure all New Zealand’s regions had reliable and efficient air connectivity into the future.
“Air connectivity makes a huge contribution to fuelling New Zealand’s economy, and we want to see regional New Zealand benefit as much as possible from the great international and domestic connectivity provided by the 27 airlines operating at Auckland Airport.
“With around 40 per cent of regional flights starting and ending in Auckland, this investment is about backing our regions and building the infrastructure they need to thrive well into the future.
“Air connectivity is how regional businesses and organisations secure vital face-to-face relationships, how fresh produce reaches global markets and how many travellers experience the best of Aotearoa. Reliable, efficient air access is essential and we’re investing to support it.
“Recent analysis shows that Auckland Airport supports $6.8 billion in domestic tourism activity. International visitor arrivals through AKL also inject $3.5 billion into regional economies across New Zealand. That impact is only expected to grow and we’re building the infrastructure to enable it.”
Each day 140 regional flights take off and land from Auckland Airport, connecting around 7000 travellers to 15 regional destinations across the country. Auckland Airport’s recently released draft Master Plan anticipates regional travel will grow from 2.7 million people in FY28 to close to four million by 2047.
“For the new regional airfield, flexibility is also key. The new aircraft parks will be designed to accommodate both turboprop and jet aircraft, allowing routes to scale up during peak periods which future-proofs capacity,” Carrie says.
Included in the programme of work is flooding and stormwater resilience, including increased capacity within stormwater pipes and adjusting ground levels to protect against the possibility of future surface flooding.
“Like all airfield construction in a live operating environment, this work is complex and requires long planning and investment horizons that look out into the decades to come. It will support the realignment of Taxiway Bravo, a critical step toward enabling runway maintenance which occurs around 2030.
“Further into the future again, the new stands align with the proposed position of a dedicated regional pier and terminal headhouse, should there be a decision in future that these assets need to be developed. We want to make sure that when we are investing in infrastructure that it’s located in the right place.”
The new regional airfield is a separate project from another much larger airfield expansion taking place to the west of the precinct. Adjacent to the international terminal, 250,000m2 of new airfield is nearing completion and once it’s open later this year, it will provide essential overnight aircraft parking and stands for cargo aircraft with easy connection to a new cargo precinct on Manu Tapu Drive.
Temporary car parking changes
While regional flights will continue operating as normal, the construction footprint will require changes to car parking near the domestic terminal later this year.
During construction, the single level public car parking building, Car Park M, located directly across from the domestic terminal, will close to make way for the regional airfield expansion, reopening later with a reduced footprint.
Public parking will continue to be available under three minutes’ walk from the terminal in the northern section of Car Park M providing drive-up options for short-stay travellers and those who need longer to drop off or pick up someone at the terminal. There will also be ample parking options in Car Park K, five minutes’ walk from the terminal, with accessibility parks available within every car park.
Transport lanes and forecourts outside the domestic terminal will not be affected.
“We know this airfield project will create some change for those used to parking right next to the terminal,” says Carrie. “We ask travellers for their patience through construction as we invest in the future of regional travel. The result will be worth it.”
