Auckland Airport rebuild: Airlines to share kiosks and automated bag drops, 240m pier advances

He said that meant “nothing elaborate or gold-plated, but still something New Zealanders can be proud of”.

The world’s biggest aircraft will park up at the new pier, which has 65% of its superstructure in place.

The luggage system and check-in will be transformed too.

“At the moment we’ve finished the bulk of the structural work and we’re now moving into fit-out,” Burt said.

The airport provided a preview of its new Zone C check-in hall.

It says the 1990s-style facilities are changing to embrace some of the world’s most modern systems, similar to bag drop technology seen in Singapore.

Human staff will still be available for people who need special assistance or cannot use the automatic drops.

Auckland Airport chief infrastructure officer Murray Burt at the new Zone C check-in hall on Thursday. Photo / Greg Bowker

The overhaul will allow different airlines to share kiosks, bag drops and check-in areas, rather than have facilities set aside for one carrier.

Airlines will complete testing and training before the Zone C check-in area reopens to the public later this year.

The airport hopes the new, highly automated system will be easy for passengers to use.

About 85% of the integrated domestic jet terminal northern “headhouse” roof is complete. Photo / Greg Bowker

The $3.9 billion programme, including the integrated terminal, employs 1500-2500 people at any given time and is set for completion in 2029.

Burt said the demand for specialist trades changed over time.

The fit-out work happening now meant more work for carpet layers and those in similar trades.

Work over the next few years includes a new facade across the check-in hall, upgraded amenities, new lifts and escalators, a new baggage handling system, and changes to departures security and passport checks. Photo / Greg Bowker

And tradespeople were also establishing air-conditioning services, electrical connections and communications infrastructure.

Burt said across the new domestic jet terminal and associated projects, many workers were from overseas but there were also lots of local residents.

He said the airport had a trades training programme that focused on employing people from nearby neighbourhoods in South Auckland.

Auckland Airport chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui said the new facilities had to be brought into use piece by piece.

“For the first half of the programme, much of the work happened behind the scenes or on the new terminal site,” she said.

“Over the next few years, people will see more change every time they travel through the airport.”

The airport said the full integration programme included the new domestic jet terminal, international terminal expansion, new baggage system, airfield development, transport connections and sustainability upgrades.

Auckland Airport major projects

John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation. He previously covered consumer affairs, crime, politics and courts.

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