NZ | Airports + Aviation News

[flyin_higher]

Domestic terminal expansion and upgrade
People flying through Auckland’s domestic terminal will soon enjoy a whole new experience. The domestic terminal facilities at Auckland Airport are to be extensively upgraded and expanded as part of a $42m makeover to be undertaken jointly by Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) and its main tenant Air New Zealand.
Domestic terminal expansion and upgrade.

The upgrade will involve the creation of a single unified and expanded terminal with the construction of a new retail precinct linking the two existing domestic terminals. Other key changes include: an expansion of the provincial airline gate lounge; expansion of the check-in area; higher ceilings and wide open spaces; larger windows along the front of the building; expanded security screening points; and a large number of aesthetic alterations.

Hoardings have now been put up in areas near the domestic terminals and construction has begun.

The retail precinct will open mid-December 2006.

[aucklandman]

Yea, I have seen some of the new bits to it and its fantastic, it sucks tho cos Wellington's airport is so much nicer than out domestic (i know its mixed use though)

[flyin_higher]

Yes, well an integrated Domestic-International terminal is the ultimate goal.

[Davee]

Originally Posted by flyin_higher

Yes, well an integrated Domestic-International terminal is the ultimate goal.

I must say, thats what Christchurch has over Auckland!

[deepred]

Originally Posted by aucklandman

Yea, I have seen some of the new bits to it and its fantastic, it sucks tho cos Wellington's airport is so much nicer than out domestic (i know its mixed use though)

Rated one of the best domestic terminals in Australasia, and the Int'l Terminal is under construction - the big aquarium in the Int'l Departures area is already operational. Shame about the airstrip though.

[aucklandman]

Originally Posted by deepred

Rated one of the best domestic terminals in Australasia, and the Int'l Terminal is under construction - the big aquarium in the Int'l Departures area is already operational. Shame about the airstrip though.

Yea Wellington airport is something to be proud of, I love it!

Its so simple also. With the 2 levels, the waiting area, the check in area the gates

Originally Posted by flyin_higher

Yes, well an integrated Domestic-International terminal is the ultimate goal

You mean for trans tasman?

[Trades]

You mean for trans tasman?

aucklandman,

I think flyin is referring to the future development of AIAL if you visit their website the plan allows for the development of the second runway which will eventually carry largely domestic traffic with an integrated domestic terminal(ie same building as international but at one end). That will allow for much better transfers between domestic/international.

[Kane007]

Originally Posted by Trades

aucklandman,

I think flyin is referring to the future development of AIAL if you visit their website the plan allows for the development of the second runway which will eventually carry largely domestic traffic with an integrated domestic terminal(ie same building as international but at one end). That will allow for much better transfers between domestic/international.

I would concur Trades.

This 2025 plan will retire the existing domestic terminal to freight duties and merge the domestic piers to the northern part of the main terminal ...

[flyin_higher]

Yes you are both correct, I am referring to the future integration of all domestic and international facilities in one terminal, like Wgtn and Chch have currently.

[aucklandman]

Will it actully take that long? 2025? I suppose its only about 15 years away to be unexact.

[Davee]

Originally Posted by aucklandman

Will it actully take that long? 2025? I suppose its only about 15 years away to be unexact.

About the same time it will take for CHC to get all it's new roading work done

[KIWIKAAS]

They have a large model of the AIAL masterplan in the Intl terminal.

I have couple of comments about the International terminal.

1. There is only 1 bar and it closes at about 9.30pm. Way too early. It also happens to be the only place where you can sit down and eat a good meal.
2. No smokers facilities. Smokers must cross to the second dropoff zone where people who are dropping off of picking up people are greeted with a thich cloud of smoke. A beer / smokers garden like at Changi would be great.
Smokers facilities are great places for people to meet and talk. Non smokers facilities are dead and soulless.
3. Hardly anywhere comfortable to relax and wait for your plane. Think of the big reclined chairs at Changi and Hong Kong.

In a nutshell.

Build a big bastard of a beer garden on the roof where people can have a fag, talk to each other, get sloshed and relax on a reclined chair. Everyone embarks their plane happy.

Harry's bar at the Cactus Garden at Changi airport. One of the happiest transit places on earth

[Davee]

Does anyone know about this new budjet airline Kiwijet that is being set up by some rich American from Florida. Rumour is that he is wanting to start flying two 737s between Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill.

Kaas...heard anything??

[KIWIKAAS]

Hasn't been a word about it for a month or so.
I dont really think this one will fly (excuse the pun)

[Davee]

Sounds a bit off the wall. I saw an article about it here in the UK in a major aviation magazine. To tell you the truth, I've not done a web search.

[Davee]

http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0705/kiwijet.pdf

interesting.

[Davee]

First True Low Cost Carrier in New Zealand

Wednesday, 2 May 2007, 3:43 pm

Press Release: kiwijet

PRESS RELEASE

May 02, 2007 Christchurch, New Zealand: The Kiwijet Airline Company Limited is pleased to announce its proposed operations as the first true low cost carrier (LCC) in New Zealand.

kiwijet is planning to launch all jet Boeing 737-300 domestic services in December 2007 between Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill. Our plan is to offer kiwiclass seating for 140 passengers with a single priced fare structure and free seating. This concept is an entirely new twist on the low cost airline business models of current and previous airlines. It is our mission that soon “all Kiwis will fly”

Our plan closely resembles the Southwest Airlines business model in the USA, and we will offer a full range of amenities such as free wine and beer as well as a generous free baggage allowance not offered by Air New Zealand or Qantas. Other unique offerings will include ‘Moonlight Special’ fares on late night flights between AKL/CHC and CHC/AKL where only cabin baggage will be allowed with the customer. This concept will enable us to accommodate post and parcels in the cargo hold of the aircraft. Moonlight Special service will offer the absolute lowest fare between the two cities, and seats will be sold on a first come first served basis.

We are also considering other perks such as complimentary transfers to the city centres of Christchurch and Auckland as well. Our long term plans will include some limited non contested transtasman routes such as Wellington-Canberra, Auckland-Newcastle, Christchurch-Hobart and Rotorua-Sydney for example.

We believe that a growing population within the country as well as an influx of tourism especially from Asia and North America will sustain our operations for many years to come. Sales and marketing will be focused through internet and top up card sales with revolutionary new technologies such as paying for tickets through a text message or purchasing a fare card at the local petrol station. These cards are widely used in the USA with Southwest, American and US Airways and cater primarily to an 18 – 49 year old demographic. Our products will offer the consumer great flexibility with one price for all.

Our Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Weil is a veteran of the US airline industry for over 29 years. Mr. Weil was one of the original consultants to advise Easyjet in the UK in June 1995 prior to its launch in November of that year. In 1992 Mr. Weil was Director of Customer Service for the highly successful US low cost carrier Air Tran Airways prior to its merger with Valujet Airlines in late 1995.

We will dramatically change the way an airline is structured by cross utilizing staff to cover inflight and ground positions. Other staff will be required to cover various positions in a cross utilized manner as well. By applying these concepts we can staff the company with roughly half the staffing levels of other carriers, and still achieve high productivity through a profit sharing scheme. We will offer substantially higher entry level pay scales than other airlines to attract the very best staff candidates in New Zealand to join our team.

We feel that the time is right to move forward with our plans, and we are considering bidding for the acquisition of an existing airline in New Zealand to expedite our entry into service.

Our website will be available from September so please check back for updates at www.kiwijet.net

[Davee]

Even Wikipedia has a little something.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwijet

December 2007 mmmmmmm.

[Haydss]

http://www.etravelblackboard.com/ind...id=65976&nav=2

I wonder if they have a Plan C as well :p

[Davee]

Originally Posted by Haydss

http://www.etravelblackboard.com/ind...id=65976&nav=2

I wonder if they have a Plan C as well :p

Thanks Haydss. Should be interesting to see what happens with this. Half of me thinks - yeah its a serious bid by a new airline, but the other half of me thinks with such a volitile and vicious Trans-Tasman and Domestic airline industry, Qantas and Air NZ will just gobble them up and spit them out. Here's hoping they can avoid that.

I thought the non competitive Trans-Tasman routes were interesting.

Wellington - Canberra - very good, makes sense
Christchurch - Hobart - great. I remember when ANZ use to fly that route, it was Hobarts only international link. I think it may have been 20 to early, but now I think it would work well, even if it is just once a week.