Economic contribution

Auckland Airport is New Zealand’s key national and global connector, it plays a critical part in our trade, tourism and travel markets. We bring the world to New Zealand, and enable New Zealand to travel the world. We are also the key aviation hub for domestic travel in New Zealand.

Contributing to the Auckland economy

Auckland Airport has an important role to play in the region’s economic and social wellbeing. In 2024, the airport and its neighbouring businesses added $35.1 billion to the Auckland economy, employed more than 25,000 people and helped lift the region’s household incomes by $1.4 billion.

Auckland Airport is currently investing to ‘build a better future’, which will unlock capacity constraints and create further opportunities for neighbouring communities and the local economy. For example, unlocking capacity constraints in the Domestic Terminal by building the new Domestic Jet Terminal is expected to unlock $1.9 billion in economic impact.

Our contribution to tourism

Auckland Airport is a dynamic 24/7 engine for the New Zealand economy. We are the gateway for 17.8 million travellers and $26.6 billion in international trade. For international travellers, Auckland Airport is New Zealand’s primary border, hosting key agencies for customs, security and biosecurity.

We make a significant contribution to New Zealand’s tourism industry. The spend generated by overseas visitors arriving at Auckland Airport is equal to 20.9% of New Zealand's total tourism expenditure (international and domestic). This equates to 8.3% of New Zealand's total exports, contributing more to the New Zealand economy than the wood and wood product export trade, New Zealand’s fourth largest export.

By 3032, our passenger numbers are expected to grow almost 50% to 26 million per annum. This generates substantial opportunities for the tourism industry.

Facilitating New Zealand’s trade

Auckland Airport, as New Zealand's largest airfreight port, plays a key role in the transportation of high value, time sensitive goods from across New Zealand, enabling the success of key export industries.

An important proportion of New Zealand’s trade flows through Auckland Airport. By value, Auckland Airport is the second busiest import channel after the Port of Auckland, and the second most valuable export channel in the nation after the Port of Tauranga, with a combined value of $26.6 billion of freight transported.

With New Zealand’s trade balance being a key topic for the current Government, Auckland Airport’s infrastructure investment is expected to support their aim of doubling export levels over the next decade, with total export values transported through Auckland Airport estimated to increase by 54% over the next decade.

Committed to South Auckland

There are more than 250 businesses around the Airport and 25,000 people work on Auckland Airport land. The airport not only provides jobs for local people, but adds to the vibrancy of South Auckland.

Auckland Airport also has a number of programmes in place to create greater opportunities for South Auckland residents. We contribute to local charities through our community trust, and support a number of community activities and fundraising initiatives.

See the community section of this website for more on our community contribution.