Auckland Airport gears up for busy April school holidays as check-in changes roll out

Departures

• International: Expected to peak on Thursday 2 April; other busy days include Monday 6 April and
• Saturday 11 April.Domestic: Expected to be busiest on Friday 3 April, Thursday 2 April and Friday 17 April.

Arrivals

• International: Expected to be busiest toward the end of the holidays, with Sunday 19 April, Saturday 18 April and Saturday 11 April shaping up as the busiest arrival days.
• Domestic: Expected to peak on Wednesday 1 April, Wednesday 15 April and Friday 10 April.

After a strong summer that delivered improved processing times and fewer queues across the airport, Auckland Airport is preparing for a busy April school holidays, with extra support in place as check in changes roll out as part of the airport’s wider upgrade programme.

Auckland Airport Chief Operations Officer Chloe Surridge said the airport is building on the gains made over summer, while asking travellers to plan ahead as construction works progress in and around the international check in area.

Summer performance sets the foundation
Ms Surridge said over summer the busiest travel period at the airport – provided a strong test for changes introduced across the airport.

“Airport-wide there have been significant improvements in the customer experience with up to 25% reductions in time taken for travellers to move through important security and border processes compared to last summer. In short that means shorter queue times and more seamless customer journeys.

“That progress reflects several years of co-ordinated work since international travel restarted, and strong collaboration between Auckland Airport, Ministry of Primary Industries, Aviation Security, Customs and Immigration NZ.

“It includes better data for workforce planning, an extended arrivals hall, express lanes for eligible arriving travellers, increases in countries and territories able to use eGates, electronic travel declarations and new Aviation Security screening technology that removes the need to take tech equipment out of carry-on bags.

“Together, these improvements are helping deliver a more enjoyable and seamless journey for travellers.”

Extra staff on hand as check-in upgrades begin
Ms Surridge said the collaboration would continue as construction works progressed in and around the international terminal check-in area.

“These upgrades will deliver a significant uplift in the check-in experience for travellers, bringing our international terminal in line with airports globally. Travellers will begin to see a greater use of technology and improved facilities, such as toilets, waiting areas, lifts and escalators.

“This is a complex, staged programme of work that will take more than two years as we upgrade while continuing to manage the departures of up to 16,000 international travellers a day. We’ll have additional staff on hand to support, but we do ask for travellers’ patience as these changes roll out. The result will be worth it.”

Easter travel expected to boost numbers
With Easter falling within the official school holiday period traveller numbers at Auckland Airport are expected to be higher than last year, particularly across the domestic network.

“The April school holidays are always busy, so behind the scenes, the airport teams have been planning for this increase in travellers and we’ll have additional staff on hand.

“For international travellers, we have an additional check-in area operating called Zone T during busy periods while construction gets underway. Flight information on the Auckland Airport website will show which check-in zone airlines are using up to 24 hours ahead of departure.

“We’ve also have added new digital screens in the Transport Hub and outside the terminals, to make it quick and easy to check zone information as early as possible,” Ms Surridge said.

Busiest travel days
The busiest day overall is expected to be Thursday 2 April, as people head away at the start of the holidays, while Sunday 19 April is expected to be the busiest day for arrivals.

This follows the typical school holiday pattern, with departures busiest early in the holidays and arrivals peaking towards the end.

Compared with the April school holidays last year, passenger numbers are likely to be higher across most parts of the airport.

Domestic travel continues to show the strongest growth, with domestic departures expected to be up more than 13% and domestic arrivals up almost 12% compared with the same period last year. International travel is also trending higher, with international arrivals expected to increase by around 4%.

Traveller checklist for the April school holidays
To help make travel easier during the busy holiday period, Auckland Airport is reminding travellers to:

• International travellers – know your zone:  check your check in zone on the Auckland Airport website up to 24 hours before departure or on the flight screens when you arrive.
• Follow airline advice for check-in opening and closing times
• Pack smart: lithium batteries and power banks must go into carry-on luggage. Battery powered hair straighteners and curlers should be left at home. If unsure, check aviation.govt.nz/packsmart 
• Look out for airport staff and signage, with teams available to help guide travellers through the terminal