The Leading Airport Magazine

Wellington Airport is a vitally important piece of New Zealand’s national infrastructure, providing a significant ongoing contribution to the region’s economy. The country’s capital airport welcomes 5.5 million travellers each year, and passenger numbers are growing. They are expected to double to 10 million by 2030, and the airport believes this will require a $450 million (€320m) investment in essential infrastructure.

Steve Sanderson, Chief Executive, Wellington Airport: “The extension will provide a refreshing, open space with easy movement throughout the terminal, clear signs and a centralised screening point for all passengers.”

The latest important development is the $58 million (€40m), 6,000sqm extension of the terminal, south west pier, and apron. The extension to the main terminal will initially cater for the 5.5 million passengers that currently use Wellington Airport each year, including 750,000 flying internationally. Total passenger numbers are forecast to increase by around 135,000 per year, and over the next five years the international market is expected to rise by nearly 30%, and the domestic market by 10%.

To facilitate this anticipated growth, the extension will add another 30m to the terminal building, double the width of both southern piers, provide extra gate lounge space, add new retail and food & beverage offerings, and increase the number of aircraft parking positions.

The $58 million (€40m), 6,000sqm extension of the terminal, south west pier and apron is future-proofed and consistent with the existing terminal and long-term expansion plans.

“The extension to the terminal and apron will ensure the Wellington region continues to provide a world-class, vibrant experience for an ever-growing number of travellers,” Steve Sanderson, Chief Executive of Wellington Airport, explained. “The extension will provide a refreshing, open space with easy movement throughout the terminal, clear signs and a centralised screening point for all passengers. It will be a very comfortable place to welcome and farewell visitors, family and friends.”

Strong architectural features are the floor to ceiling windows and laminated timber cross-braces, which will span the full length of the south west pier. These enhance one of the airport’s key attributes – its prominent use of natural light, with views over the runway and Lyall Bay – a popular surf beach.

“We also needed to ensure it is future-proofed and consistent with the existing terminal and long-term expansion plans. Coupled with this are the needs for safe, effective and efficient airport operations for airlines and travellers, and regulatory requirements such as aviation security,” Sanderson commented.

This focus on safety is also integral to the construction programme, with a campaign to go ‘Above and Beyond’ what would normally be expected on a similar construction site. All key organisations and employees involved in the construction have also signed a Safety Pledge that lists the commitments for working onsite.

Strong architectural features of the extension are the floor to ceiling windows and laminated timber cross-braces, which will span the full length of the south west pier. These enhance the airport’s prominent use of natural light.

Construction timeline

December 2014-April 2015: This initial phase involves establishing the construction site, laying the foundations and upgrading in-ground services. The airport is also carrying out paving works and paint marking on the apron to begin the process of establishing more efficient use of space.

May 2015-July 2015: The structure will start to take shape with concrete columns, concrete first floor and structural steel, along with the walls and roofing being erected. The widening of the south pier will be nearing completion, creating more space. Paving works within the southern apron area will be ongoing with pavement upgrades, new lighting and line-marking.

August 2015-January 2016: The airport will be finalising the interior spaces prior to opening the extended main terminal and extended south west pier space, including the new centralised screening area. There will also be changes to the current retail and food & beverage outlets, as well as new toilet facilities on Level 1.

January 2016-June 2016: The final period will see refurbishment of the Level 0 toilets, removal of escalators at the end of the south west pier, final gate allocation and refurbished lounge space within the south west pier, and the conclusion of paving works.

The extension will add another 30m to the terminal building, double the width of both southern piers, provide extra gate lounge space, and add new retail and food & beverage offerings.

Commercial developments

An important step in Wellington Airport’s future development plans was the recent release of the Commerce Commission’s draft report on its aeronautical charges – confirming that they are within an acceptable range. Wellington Airport undertook consultation with the airlines in 2014, regarding using the airport’s terminal and runway services from June 2014 to March 2019. It was decided that the airport will hold the average price per passenger. “We welcome the Commission’s findings and comments that the airport’s re-pricing is within the acceptable range,” Sanderson said. “The collaborative consultation with airlines and feedback from the Commission last year has delivered positive outcomes and will see the airport invest $110 million (€80m) over the next five years in the main terminal expansion and apron development, and a further $140 million (€100m) on commercial developments, including a hotel, multi-level car park, and retail park.”

The Commission previously reviewed Wellington Airport’s level of innovation, quality and pricing efficiency, and found that they were at appropriate levels.

“Wellington Airport is committed to improving travel and tourism infrastructure, and is consistently rated among the best in Australasia for service quality,” Sanderson added. “In addition to the major extension, we are also going to improve the domestic lounges at the northern end of the terminal, along with introducing washroom facilities at the gates.”

Wellington Airport’s planned investment in the period to 2030 will enable it to generate 11,500 new jobs in the region, sustaining 21,000 full time positions and increasing the airport’s contribution to the regional economy to $1.6 billion (€1.1bn) a year. The current expansion is certainly progressing well and is creating a vibrant, world-class passenger experience.

In addition to the major extension, Wellington Airport is also planning to improve the domestic lounges at the northern end of the terminal, along with introducing washroom facilities at the gates.