Single terminal plan for Auckland Airport

Auckland International Airport plans to integrate its international and domestic terminals into a single terminal over the next 20 years, as it gears up to cope with as many as 24 million passengers a year by 2025.

The company today released details of its "masterplan", a document it will use to help plan its growth strategy for the next 20 years.

AIA chief executive officer Don Huse said the masterplan provided a high level, strategic blueprint for the company's business and facilities development.

Long term plans (beyond 10 years) include creating the single terminal which will include a public transport hub, car parking, and hotels.

When the domestic terminal is relocated to the new terminal the site it currently occupies will be redeveloped into a freight facility.

Mr Huse said "all development on the airport is undertaken only when there is a compelling business case based on rigorous analysis, and in particular, on careful assessment of the demand environment".

The airport has already undertaken some major development and is in the final stages of revamping its main runway for use by the new large A380 aircraft.

Other recent work includes expansion of check-in facilities, new hard stands for aircraft, a new upper level on the existing pier and a new baggage screening system.

Other plans for the next two years include expanding arrivals processing at the international terminal and upgrading domestic facilities.

Since corporatisation in 1988 the airport's passenger numbers have increased from 4.75 million to 11.256 million last year. By 2025 it expects to process 24 million passengers a year -- 15.3 million international passengers and 8.6 million domestic.

Aircraft movements are expected to grow from around 150,000 a year to 223,500 in 2025.

Shares in Auckland Airport were down 1c at $1.98 in a broadly weaker market this morning, having traded between $1.79 and $2.43 over the past 12 months.

- NZPA