Auckland Airport’s hi-tech integrated international and domestic jet terminal is still on track for completion in 2029—but by the end of the year the airport company is set to roll out its new-look check-in facility.
Media this morning got a sneak peek behind the scenes of the huge $3.9 billion infrastructure project, which has now passed its halfway mark.
The work spans a new integrated domestic jet terminal, expansion of the existing international terminal, a new state-of-the-art baggage system, airfield development, transport connections and sustainability upgrades.
. . . Check-in Changes
AKL ceo Carrie Hurihanganui says the changes underway in the international check-in area are among the clearest signs of the transformation now becoming visible to travellers. “Much of the work delivered so far has happened behind the scenes or beyond the parts of the airport most travellers see. That is starting to change.”
The new-look Zone C check-in area, which is currently behind the hoarding in the AKL international departures area, is due to open this summer. “It’s the first visible step towards a more seamless, technology-led check-in experience, supported by airport and airline teams, and the future integrated terminal where domestic jet and international travellers will check-in under one roof,” adds Hurihanganui.
. . . Sneak Peak
Media got to have a sneak peek at Zone C this morning. The old-school 1990s check-in desks are gone, replaced by 28 self-service kiosks and 15 automatic bag drop machines designed in Australia.
The machines may be familiar to some travellers, as airlines including Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Qatar Airways and Jetstar have been using the digital check-in system at AKL over the past year, says AKL chief customer officer Scott Tasker (pictured). There will still be a number of ‘exception desks’ for passengers requiring more assistance, as well as roaming airline and airport support, he adds. The system is also future-proofed to allow for any additional use of biometrics as part of the check-in process.
Over the coming weeks, AKL says it will run testing and trials with airlines before the Zone C check-in area reopens to the public later this year. See more from Tasker on the new check-in process HERE.
