New Zealand’s ‘Airport of the Future’

Rising demand for aviation services in New Zealand led to a multi-billion dollar government investment to create an “airport of the future” in Auckland, the country’s largest city.

In early 2018, the design concept plans for this anticipated airport improvement will be released. This marks four years since the government released their 30-year master plan for the airport. Just last month, a consortium of experts in aviation and consulting who will announce the design came together. A second runway will finish in 2025, connecting the international and domestic terminals.

New Zealand’s tourist economy generates just under $10 billion a year. According to the country’s Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, New Zealand had about 3.6 million international arrivals in the year ending June 2017. It represented a 10 per cent growth from the previous year. 40 per cent of those visitors came from Australia. Visitors from the United States only represented 9 per cent of total visitors. This was, however, a 26 per cent increase from the previous year. This significant international growth has translated into the recognition for significant improvement in transport infrastructure.

“The selected consortium’s experience covers over 1,000 aviation projects in 120 countries across 260 airports,” Auckland Airport’s Chief Executive commented. The airport is to promote a “local” feel, intending to bring a New Zealand cultural design into its construction. The airport is a key hub in the Asia-Pacific region. Improvements in the airport’s border processing facilities and transport facilities expect to enhance this status.

The consortium intends to draw on experience from their work on previous airports. Consisting of Architectus, Grimshaw, Mott MacDonald and Holmes Consulting, the group has worked on many international airports. London Heathrow, Singapore and Hong Kong are some of them.

This month, the Airport released a plan to create a digital “multi-retailer mall”. This aims to permit travellers to buy retail products and other airport services online and on their phones. We have seen this at Frankfurt Airport. In fact, the airport has partnered with AOE, whose platform deployed at Frankfurt. The system involves passengers purchasing a range of items and then having the ability to collect all purchased items at a pick up point in the airport. Most of the airport’s retailers will likely participate. This platform plans to release in mid-2018, and will most likely generate significant revenue creating opportunities.

Avlaw Aviation Consulting Pty Ltd specialises in airport construction and design. We have some of the best experts that can consult on a range of matters critical to airports, such as building height requirements, safety management systems and more. We have many international clients, and regularly provide advice on large-scale infrastructure projects.