Auckland Airport is rolling out more self-service check-in and bag drop counters, with a temporary check-in pavilion also opening this week.
The new “Zone T” area will provide additional capacity during peak periods as ongoing construction progresses to unify domestic and international flights into a single terminal, reducing available space in check-in areas.
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“Construction of the new domestic aircraft terminal is well underway and people can already see what part of the structure is in place,” said Chloe Surridge, Auckland Airport’s chief operating officer.
“Construction is now heading inland to improve main spaces such as check-in while keeping the airport operational. It is one of the most complex parts of the project and will mean changes for travelers, including different ways of moving through the terminal along with new designs and billboards.
“Ultimately, this work aims to make check-in faster and more intuitive, while also creating space to serve more people at peak times.
“Moving to self-service and bag drop kiosks gives travelers more control over their trip and reflects what people now expect at major airports around the world.”
From the end of March, the current Zone C, used by up to eight daily flights, will be out of service for five months to install more self-service kiosks and automatic bag drop, replacing 22 traditional check-in counters.
Passengers will use the 38 existing counters in Zone E, which the airport says have already been converted to self-service, or the new temporary pavilion in Zone T.
“During our busy summer months, around 16,000 people (approximately the population of Whakatāne) check in internationally to AKL every day,” Mr Surridge said.
“We will be preparing construction carefully, but as we convert check-in one zone at a time, the available space is temporarily reduced, which is where the T Zone comes into play.
“It also helps the airport manage growth ahead of the opening of the new integrated terminal later this decade.”
Last year, Auckland unveiled what it called “the most significant transformation of the departure hall since the 1970s”, with around 60 existing check-in counters set to be replaced by self-service kiosks by the end of the decade.
The check-in lounge will be shared by domestic and international passengers once the airport terminal integration project is completed.
The airport says its NZ$3.9 billion terminal renovation program will link international terminals and new domestic terminals, adding more capacity and simpler connections.
When completed in 2028-29, the integrated terminal will replace the aging domestic terminal, much of which dates back to the 1960s and 1970s.
