The terminal at Bay of Islands Airport is due to be expanded next year to cater for growing passenger numbers.
A record 87,000 people flew in to or out of the airport last year, an increase of a third since Air New Zealand started flying larger aircraft on the Auckland-Kerikeri route.
Council-owned company Far North Holdings, which owns and operates the airport, said work to expand and upgrade the terminal would start in the second quarter of 2017 if its building consent application and the tendering process were successful. The project was expected to take about 10 months.
Chief executive Andy Nock said the expanded terminal would have automated check-in, roomier departure and arrival areas, and a separate luggage collection area.
During the project the check-in and departures area would be moved into space currently used by the Bay of Islands Aero Club.