Auckland Airport has revealed a first look inside its planned new domestic jet terminal as part of a multi-billion dollar upgrade.
The current domestic terminal first opened in 1966, but has run out of capacity.
Auckland Airport's Chief Customer Officer, Scott Tasker, described the design of the new terminal as "simple" and "cost-efficient" after it was sharply criticised by airlines.
"It will allow around 26 percent more gate capacity and 44 percent more processing of travellers through security checkpoints," he said.
"Airlines will be able to add more flights during peak periods and it will also be an opportunity for new competitors to enter the market".
For travellers starting their journey in Auckland, check-in kiosks, automatic bag drops, and all-day check-in should mean the end of waiting in long check-in queues.
Checked luggage will be tracked in real time in a modern individual carrier system (ICS) for baggage handling.
Device charging points will be available in 50 percent of seats in pre-departure areas and there will be a focus on bathroom facilities for families. There will also be a Changing Places bathroom for travellers with profound disabilities, and a low sensory space for travellers seeking a quiet setting.
Crucially, the upgrade would mean a five-minute indoor walk between the domestic and international terminals, meaning no more walking the current infamous outdoor 'green line' walk between terminals or taking the inter-terminal transfer bus.
The upgrade is set to cost $2.2 billion for new domestic terminal overall and $1.7 billion for additional integration costs.
Tasker said while airport terminals are expensive, this terminal benchmarks well off other international terminals of a similar size.
But the project hasn't been without controversy. Earlier this year Air New Zealand sought an urgent review into what it called Auckland Airport's "overspending".
Auckland Airport is gradually increasing the amount it charges airlines to land. Initially, the increases will be $6.75 per passenger but will soon rise to $10.25 per passenger - and then eventually to $15.45 by 2027.
Airlines will then pass that cost on to passengers and Air NZ chief executive Greg Foran said that's "about a $40 increase per passenger".
Auckland Airport hit back at those claims today.
"If we look forward to the next pricing period from 2027 to 2032, whilst we haven't consulted with airlines on those prices there has been some speculation travellers could pay up to $46 per journey to use Auckland Airport," Tasker said.
"That is absolutely wrong. We estimate travellers will be paying half that once the new terminal opens."
It's expected the project will be finished by 2029.
