Auckland Airport unveils next stage of redevelopment

Friday, 17 November 2017

Auckland International Airport is about to unveil more upgrades

New shops and gate lounges will be unveiled in coming weeks as the second stage of Auckland International Airport's departures expansion and upgrade goes live.

The country's biggest airport is in the midst of a five-year, $1.8 billion, redevelopment that has turned it into the biggest construction site in the country.

Key projects include expanding and upgrading the international departure experience, providing more gates for international aircraft, and investing in public transport, road and walking projects.

Auckland International Airport boss Adrian Littlewood.

A Whittaker's chocolate concept store in on the cards and will be joined by arts and crafts, merino, greenstone and honey shops as part of the airport's drive to showcase the best of New Zealand.

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From the middle of 2018 global luxury brands, including Coach, Hugo Boss, Furla, Fossil, Rolex and Omega will also be available.

Travellers will also have 20 new food and drink outlets to try out from March.

Media went on a behind-the-scenes tour (see video) this week with senior Airport executives who have been driving the projects.

'The upgrade of our international departure area is progressing well, with 77 per cent of construction now complete,' chief executive Adrian Littlewood said.

'The extension of the international terminal's Pier B is also progressing well, with 82 per cent of construction complete.'

Plan are afoot, under the new Government, for improved public transport links.

Auckland Airport opened in 1966 and in its first year of operation processed 700,000 passengers.

Now, over 19 million passengers pass through the gates annually and the airport forecasts that by 2040 that number will increase to 40 million international and domestic travellers.