Auckland Airport's offered a behind-the-scenes look as its $3.9 billion makeover reached the halfway mark.
A new domestic jet terminal, robotic baggage system and an expanded international terminal's just some of the changes in store for travellers when it's unveiled later this year.
Auckland Airport chief customer officer Scott Tasker said the transformation – spanning 400,000 square metres of airfield, infrastructure, transportation and terminals – is about growing to meet the demand.
A sneak peek inside Auckland Airport’s new check-in experience – Watch on TVNZ+
The new integrated terminal means there'll be no more walking between international and domestic, with both housed under the same roof.
"So you'll come off a domestic flight from Wellington, you'll walk up this pier into the terminal and you'll connect into the international gates," Tasker said.
The new terminal will lead to faster passenger processing and more seats on board.
"It provides about 26% more capacity for passengers and airlines to grow into versus the terminal that we have today," he said.
Self-service kiosks and an automatic bag drop is also expected to speed up the process.
A bag hotel with room for 3000 pieces of luggage will also be in store, allowing customers to check in their bags up to 24 hours before their flight.
The tourism industry's hoping the project will be the key to bring travel back to pre-covid levels
Tourism New Zealand chief executive René de Monchy said access "is one of the key things for people to choose New Zealand".
"I think that a fully integrated terminal – domestic and international – would really help."
Travellers will be able to use the new check-in area by the end of this year.
The project is expected to be fully operational by 2029.
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