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29 January 2026 marks 60 years since Auckland Airport officially opened.
The occasion was celebrated with a three-day Grand Air Pageant that drew more than 200,000 people. What began as a new airport for a growing nation has, over six decades, become New Zealand’s gateway to the world and a powerhouse for the economy.
Today, Auckland Airport operates around the clock, maintaining vital connections for people and trade, and serving as the country’s third-largest port by value. With 25 international airline customers and over 800 businesses based on the precinct, the airport is Auckland's second largest employment hub, supporting jobs for 25,000 people.
As the owner and operator of one of the country’s most strategic infrastructure sites, Auckland Airport's infrastructure development programme reflects this reponsibility. AKL is delivering assets that will deliver essential resilience and capacity, and create the uplift in experience travellers are asking for.
Find more information about Auckland Airport's current and future infrastructure projects here.
Auckland Airport's opening Grand Air Pageant in 1966
Visual Journey of Auckland Airport
Politicians and Councillors view the Bombardier Muskeg rescue craft at Auckland Airport. It was used from the late 1960s to early 1970s.
Senior Fire Officer Bill Bird and crew having lunch outside the old Fire Station in 1965, while the new fire garage is being built in the background.
Les Featherstone, one of Auckland Airport’s Customer Service Volunteers, also known as our Bluecoats, and his children outside Auckland Airport’s international terminal in 1967. The old international and domestic terminal became solely domestic when the new international terminal was officially opened in 1977.
Auckland Airport’s international terminal taking shape in 1970.
Crowds cheer as the first Boeing 747 jumbo jet arrives at Auckland Airport in 1972.
Auckland Airport staff, Steve Cadman and Tony Higham, launching the Zodiac inflatable rescue craft in the mid-1980s.
The S.R.N.6 Hovercraft, Whakatopa, stationed at Auckland Airport, circa mid-1980s.
The National Airways Corporation (NAC) Fokker Friendship was a 44 seat turboprop aircraft that entered service in the 1960s. The Friendship fleet operated between all New Zealand’s regional airports as well as to Norfolk Island, and were in service for 30 years.
Memorabilia celebrating the reconstruction and refurbishment of Auckland Airport’s international terminal in the late 1990s.
Memorabilia from Auckland Airport’s 1992 Air Expo.
In 1998 John Travolta visited Airtime Magic – Auckland Airport’s museum that featured memorabilia and Kiwiana dating from the 1910s to the 1980s.
In 1936, New Zealand's greatest female aviator, Jean Batten set a world record for her solo flight from England to New Zealand. Batten’s Percival Gull Six monoplane is on display in the international terminal.
Jean Batten’s Percival Gull Six monoplane on display in Auckland Airport’s international terminal.
Don Huse, Chief Executive 2003 - 2008 and then Prime Minister Helen Clark unveil the plaque for the opening of the second level of the international terminal’s Pier A in 2006.
Unveiled in 2008, a magnificent tomokanga (carved gateway) welcomes international travellers to Auckland. Standing 2.8m high and 6m wide, the Tainui carving symbolises a spiritual portal from one realm to another, a journey from the dark (the outside world) into the light (world of the living).
Auckland Airport’s international terminal in May 2014.
The Hellman Building, completed in 2015, at The Landing Business Park.
Auckland Airport’s administration office under construction in 2011.
Mrs Maea Rawiri performing a powhiri to welcome Air China to Auckland Airport in 2015.
Operations staff in their new uniforms in 2015.
