A new welcome: inside Auckland Airport’s upgrade of domestic jet travel

“It will be an end to the blind corners, the scramble for available seating and the standing in the corridors that mark the current domestic terminal experience to something we’re proud to have visitors to our city and country to experience,” said Mr Tasker.

Designed with a simple and robust exterior structure made of tray-profile steel, Auckland Airport has concentrated its efforts on the interior of the new terminal, delivering a functional design with sustainability elements, such as all electric heating and cooling and low carbon materials.

With a single aircraft pier, the interior design employs a river-like circulation path for travellers, while off to the side soft-seating areas, complete with charging points and a clear view to flight information boards, create space to relax while people wait for their flight. The inspiration for the design has been drawn from the tidal harbour, volcanic stone fields and maunga surrounding the airport, with timber accents and a cost-effective mix of durable carpeted and rubber flooring creating a relaxed feel for travellers.

Choosing wood for the sub-floor instead of concrete, reflects a preference for low-carbon materials along with supporting sustainable aviation. The airfield around the terminal will be upgraded with electric ground power units for aircraft to plug in at gate to reduce fuel burn and a new fuel system to support sustainable aviation fuel.

A highlight for travellers will be a short five-minute indoor walk between domestic jet and international travel, meaning an end to walking the current infamous outdoor “green line” walk between terminals or taking the inter-terminal transfer bus service.

Behind the scenes, checked luggage will be tracked in real time in a modern individual carrier system (ICS) for baggage handling. For travellers starting their journey in Auckland, check-in kiosks, automatic bag drops, and all-day check-in means the end to waiting in line at check-in counters.

“All our check-ins for both domestic jet and international passengers will be in the same place, making it much easier for travellers.”

When the domestic jet terminal opens an estimated 20,000 travellers will pass through it every day, so it needs to cater to variety of people with different needs in a convenient and dignified way.

“Alongside facilities you’d expect at any airport there will be dedicated faith spaces, a low-sensory room, baby change facilities in both the male and female bathrooms, as well as a family-specific facilities, and gender-neutral bathrooms.

“We are proud to be introducing what we believe will be the first Changing Places™ bathroom for travellers with profound disabilities available at a New Zealand airport. It’s elements like these that make travel more accessible to everyone.”

Driving resiliency and efficiency

While elements of the new terminal’s design are focused on putting customers at ease, creating a terminal that is resilient and operates efficiently is key.

“We’re already considering today what we might need in two decades time through our masterplan, including how our terminal infrastructure will develop over time. A major feature of the terminal design is that it provides options to expand the main building and add in additional aircraft piers when needed.”

When complete the new domestic terminal will have in total 12 jet aircraft gates capable of handling Code C aircraft, such as an Airbus A321, with six gates able to take widebody Code E jet aircraft (with 300+ seats) by combining two narrowbody Code C jet aircraft stands.

“It’s not too dissimilar to what we have at the international terminal with Pier B gates able to handle an A380 or two narrowbody Code C aircraft. That flexibility creates capacity to manage demand surges, for example adding flights for an All Blacks game in Dunedin, and adds a 26% uplift in seat capacity overall.

“Having capacity is what makes a real difference to the traveller experience. Whether that’s enough space for pre-flight security checks, a fast, modern baggage system, technology assisting aircraft at the gates for quicker turnaround times, adequate airfield space for aircraft manoeuvring and parking, or crucially, enough aircraft gates to manage the volume of flights departing at the busiest periods of the day. That’s what keeps the system running smoothly and creates capacity for new flights to be operated by airlines which then puts downward pressure on fares,” said Mr Tasker.

The new domestic jet terminal is expected to cost $2.2 billion overall, with a further $1.7 billion to cover the cost of integrating domestic and international travel – a spend that is in line with other comparable airport upgrades around the world.

“We’ve been careful to benchmark the terminal design against other airports. Like us, airports around the world are underway upgrading infrastructure that was built to manage aircraft flying in the 1960s and 70s. This means we have some good examples to reference, including right across the Tasman where Brisbane Airport is underway with a A$5 billion programme that includes a new third terminal and existing terminal refurbishment.

“Internationally, airport standards are lifting considerably off the back of this global investment and so are traveller expectations. That will mean an increase in the charges airlines pay to use our domestic terminal facilities. In Auckland, these charges have long been at the bottom of the table compared to other major airports in New Zealand given the age of the current domestic terminal, and they will rise in line with the delivery of these much-needed improvements and the resulting lift in customer experience but at a much lower level than has been speculated.”

Currently, Auckland Airport’s airline domestic jet charges are $10.25 per passenger, moving to $15.45 by 2027 – a similar cost to what other major New Zealand airports charge today.