The airport opened its largest expansion project. Auckland Airport chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon front media. Video / Auckland Airport
While many people are winding down for the year, Auckland Airport is gearing up for one of its busiest periods.
More than 2.5 million travellers are expected to travel through the airport over the next six weeks.
Domestic and international travel will peak at different points over Christmas andNew Year.The airport predicts its domestic terminal will be busiest in December, while international travel will peak in early January.
The busiest day for domestic departures will be next Friday, December 19, when the airport expects 15,000 travellers will take off.
January 16, also a Friday, is set to be the busiest day for domestic arrivals – more than 14,000 travellers are touching down.
Christmas family reunions at Auckland International Airport in 2022. Photo / NZ Herald
In the international terminal, the heaviest day for departures is slated for Sunday, January 4, when some 19,500 travellers are expected to head offshore. International arrivals will peak on Thursday, January 15.
Auckland Airport chief customer officer Scott Tasker said Christmas reunions are already underway, with people flying home or heading off.
“We’ve been working closely with border agencies, airlines and their ground handlers to make sure travellers get away smoothly. It will be busy, so our advice is simple: plan ahead, arrive with plenty of time and pack smart.”
As well as encouraging travellers to allow time to spare for journeys across this period, the airport is reminding passengers to be mindful of the batteries they’re travelling with. Any devices powered by lithium batteries, including power banks, earbuds, hearing aids and vapes, should be carried in hand luggage rather than checked bags.
“Some airlines have introduced new rules around travelling with batteries and the use of power banks onboard aircraft. We recommended you check your airline’s website for their advice.” Tasker warns.
He says the busiest days of summer are tracking to be some of the strongest the airport has seen since the pandemic. “It’s a great sign of Kiwis’ confidence to travel and New Zealand’s appeal as a visitor destination.”
In the year to September, more than 2.4 million New Zealanders departed Auckland Airport for overseas adventures, with Australia, Fiji, China, the United States and the Cook Islands the top five destinations.
