Traffic chaos on one of Auckland International Airport's busiest days of the year

Auckland International Airport has already warned people to allow extra time on its busiest day of the day. File photo / Greg Bowker

A bus has broken down in the Auckland International Airport drop-off zone during one of the airport's busiest days of the year.

The airport tweeted that the zone was temporarily closed and traffic wardens were diverting traffic into the carpark. There would be free 10-minute parking.

The airport said yesterday that today was one of the busiest of the summer and asked passengers to allow an extra 30 minutes for their journeys through the terminal.

Bus broken down at Int'l drop off & pick up zone, zone is temp closed, traffic wardens directing traffic into carpark - free 10 min parking.

— Auckland Airport (@AKL_Airport) December 21, 2016

Tomorrow is one of our busiest international travel days this summer. Please allow an extra 30 mins for your journey through the terminal. pic.twitter.com/jfxGlGy0yz

— Auckland Airport (@AKL_Airport) December 21, 2016

Two weeks ago, passengers missed flights and up to a dozen Air New Zealand services were delayed after crew were caught in gridlock around Auckland Airport.

Air New Zealand is rostering more staff on to help passengers through terminals over Christmas and is communicating with those it can reach to advise them to expect congestion.

The busiest days to travel by air