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Auckland Airport is preparing for one of its busiest periods of the year, with more than 2.5 million travellers expected to pass through its domestic and international terminals between Monday, December 8, 2025 and Sunday, January 18, 2026.
The total includes around 1 million domestic and 1.5 million international travellers — an increase of about 7.5 per cent in international and 4.7 per cent in domestic movements compared with the same period last summer.
Auckland Airport chief customer officer Scott Tasker says thousands of Christmas reunions are already underway.
“It’s an exciting time at Auckland Airport as families reconnect and visitors arrive for the Kiwi summer,” Scott says.
“We’ve been working closely with border agencies, airlines and their ground handlers to make sure travellers get away smoothly. It will be busy, so our advice is simple: plan ahead, arrive with plenty of time and pack smart.”
Extra airline seats and peak travel patterns
Airlines have added 207,000 extra international seats across the summer months, lifting total international capacity to 5.8 million seats across 43 destinations.
Scott says domestic travel will peak in December as people head away locally, while international movements will reach their height in early January.
“Arrivals and departures are generally heaviest from Thursday to Sunday, easing slightly midweek,” he says. “The busiest days of summer are lining up to be some of the strongest we’ve seen since COVID. It’s a great sign of Kiwis’ confidence to travel and New Zealand’s appeal as a visitor destination.”
The additional capacity reflects broader increases in airline schedules, stronger inbound tourism, and longer overseas holidays for New Zealanders heading abroad.
Travelling with batteries: a summer safety reminder
With millions heading away, Auckland Airport is urging travellers to pay close attention to battery rules. Lithium batteries and devices that contain them must be carried in hand luggage, not checked bags.
“My top tip for travelling this summer is to check your batteries before you check your bags,” Scott says.
“It’s not just batteries but any devices powered by lithium batteries — power banks, earbuds, hearing aids, vapes — otherwise you risk them being removed by security. Aviation Security has lots of great information about travelling with batteries.”
Some airlines have introduced updated rules around battery-powered devices and the use of power banks onboard aircraft. Travellers are encouraged to check their airline’s website for guidance.
