21 September 2009
The airport’s unique location has seen Auckland Airport’s property team sign up several property deals in the last month, including the New Zealand Customs Service and Icebreaker.
The New Zealand Customs Service is on the move, consolidating several of their smaller airport operations to one high profile central hub on the corner of George Bolt Memorial and Tom Pearce Drives. About 45 members of the border protection agency team will be occupying the 4,303m² space for a minimum of 9 years. The site is currently undergoing a makeover to suit the team’s specific requirements. Centralizing Customs freight operations will deliver significant operational efficiencies and reduce a number of potentially unsafe traffic movements across George Bolt Memorial Drive.
This move is seen as being instrumental in further developing the airport freight precinct with Customs, the Aviation Security Service and Air New Zealand’s and Menzie’s freight operations all in close proximity.
And, the iconic New Zealand merino apparel company, Icebreaker, is trialling a new location for their outlet store in the airport shopping centre. Their original, smaller store was located at Airport Oaks, however they have shifted to a larger space with better exposure. More than 40,000 vehicles pass the airport’s shopping centre each day providing the store with a highly prominent position and exposure to tourists and other airport users.
These deals follow hot on the heels of the team’s recent announcement of a new 260 room, 4 star hotel development at the airport and Auckland Airport’s GM Property, Peter Alexander says they show signs of confidence in the current market.
“We are finding opportunities in a very tough market - it’s thanks to our unique location and assets together with a strong commercial focus and flexible approach to finding solutions that work for our customers and partners.
“Many businesses are looking for a safe, secure and stable environment, with close proximity to international markets and opportunities to design their own facilities. We have a number of development sites that we are currently promoting, ranging from 0.7ha through to 5.6ha, with the opportunity to take just a slice or a whole site. This is where business can grow,” says Peter.
As a result of these deals, commercial property portfolio occupancy increases to over 98%.
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Sarah Aldworth
Marketing Manager
Auckland Airport
+64 (0) 9 255 9182
+64 (0) 27 474 6483