Auckland International Airport stated (09-Aug-2021) groundwork is being laid for a new purpose built domestic facility to be merged into the eastern end of the existing international terminal as Auckland Airport resets its post coronavirus infrastructure plans. Site preparation in early 2022 will commence the first stages of a project which will move jet services arriving and departing for major New Zealand towns and cities into a new domestic hub merged into the current international terminal. Auckland Airport CEO Adrian Littlewood stated: "The construction of a new domestic facility closely integrated with our international safe travel zone operations will provide a seamless journey between major New Zealand destinations and our global air connections". The first stage of work scheduled for early 2022 and costing approximately NZD30 million (USD21 million) will include:
- Demolishing and relocating the legacy eastern baggage hall, livestock holding area and waste disposal facilities;
- Relocating key utilities, including the international terminal power centre and truck dock;
- Relocating the operations control centre and emergency operations centre;
- Carrying out ground services, and technical investigations.
Mr Littlewood said beyond demolition and enabling works the next major phase of development for the NZD1 billion (USD699.2 million) plus domestic hub would be determined by a range of factors, including the speed of aviation recovery. [more - original PR]