Airport’s 30-year vision delivers real benefits for Auckland

Auckland Airport’s 30-year vision delivers real benefits for Auckland and New Zealand
- more jobs
- higher household incomes
- stronger regional economy
- land for rail corridor & station; and
- may require a longer second runway in 30+ years

Adrian Littlewood, chief executive, Auckland Airport
Adrian Littlewood, Auckland Airport’s chief executive, says “New Zealand has an enormous opportunity arising from the growth in travel, trade and tourism around the Pacific Rim.”

“The emerging economies of China, South-east Asia, India and South America are changing the dynamics of air travel around the world. About 80% of the world’s middle class will soon be one flight from Auckland. The world’s airlines are also changing their aircraft fleets by investing in larger planes which carry more passengers. All this has significant consequences for Auckland Airport.”

“We are forecasting the number of passengers using the airport every year to almost treble, from 14.5 million people in 2013 to 40 million people in 2044. Likewise, the number of flights is expected to almost double from 150,000 a year in 2013 to 260,000 in 2044.”

“Auckland Airport has an exciting vision for the development of the airport to manage that growth for the benefit of Auckland and New Zealand. Our 30-year vision includes the new combined domestic and international terminal, the northern runway and improvements for transport to and from the airport.”

“This 30-year vision will deliver more jobs, will help lift the incomes of Aucklanders and will result in a stronger regional economy. It will also play an important role in supporting New Zealand’s tourism and export industries. Our 30-year vision also sees Auckland Airport playing its role in improving Auckland’s transport network, with the airport protecting enough land for rail to the airport and an underground station at the terminal.”

“Our initial focus is on building the first phase of the combined domestic and international terminal. We intend to have this done within five years.”

“By maximising the use of our existing southern runway we now expect to build our northern runway by around 2025, and already have resource management approval to build and operate this important piece of infrastructure.”

Auckland Airport has long-anticipated the need for a second runway in the north. The second runway – with an operational length of 2,150m and restrictions on flights to and from the east at night – gained resource management approval 12 years ago. It can be built entirely on airport-owned land and without the need for any reclamation of the Manukau Harbour.

“When Auckland Airport was created the planners had the wisdom to set aside sufficient land to enable the airport to grow and accommodate the increased popularity of air travel.”

“Auckland Airport believes it is essential to continue a principled approach to future planning and give Aucklanders advance notice that the operating length of the northern runway may need to be extended by 890 metres in 30 to 50 years. This extension would improve its efficiency and meet the requirements of the larger aircraft forecast to fly to Auckland in the future. Informing people now is the responsible thing to do.”

“This is the right time to do our long-term planning. Auckland Council is currently completing its 30-year unitary plan process and Auckland Airport is seeking to have its vision for growth reflected in Auckland Council’s unitary plan. We are doing this to ensure the city is aware of New Zealand’s long-term aviation requirements.”

“Auckland Airport is committed to being a responsible neighbour and over the next few months we will be engaging with our local communities to talk about how a longer northern runway would be developed and operate in the future.”

“We are excited by our 30-year vision. It balances the challenges of passenger and aircraft flight growth, the increasing demands of our country’s travel, trade and tourism sectors and what it means for the airport’s neighbours in the future. It also provides Aucklanders with new employment opportunities and higher incomes, boosts the local economy, considers our environment and helps to secure New Zealand’s connectivity with the world for the next 100 years,” says Mr Littlewood.

The operation of Auckland Airport and its neighbouring activity already contribute $3.5 billion to regional GDP; provide 33,100 jobs; and contribute $1.9 billion to Auckland’s household incomes. The airport also welcomes 75% of all international arrivals to New Zealand and is the country’s second largest cargo port by value.

Insight Economics has calculated the benefits of the airport’s 30-year investment in infrastructure to include a $2 billion increase in regional GDP; create more than 27,000 full time jobs; and it will help lift the incomes of Auckland households by $1.4 billion.
More information about the airports’ 30-year vision is available online: www.airportofthefuture.co.nz

Mayor Len Brown
Mayor Len Brown says: “Auckland is continuing to experience strong growth and it’s crucial that Auckland Airport can accommodate this growth. I look forward to a uniquely New Zealand themed terminal – that’s what makes our airport different from any other airport in the world. This 30 year vision is a great plan for the people of Auckland, especially those living in South Auckland. Not only does it support the Auckland Council’s Southern Initiative, it will help us to achieve the goal of being the world’s most liveable city.”

Ross Robertson, MP for Manukau East
Local MP for Manukau East, Ross Robertson, says “The airport’s 30 year plan creates real opportunities for Auckland South, including employment and economic growth. We cannot underestimate the importance of this for an area which has a significantly underutilised workforce. The people of Papatoetoe, Otahuhu and Otara will reap the rewards of this vision for many years to come.”
“It is essential to plan for the future and I congratulate the airport for looking out 30 years and beyond. As a result, its closest neighbours will be well informed of what may be needed in 30-plus years – there will be no surprises for future generations living near the airport.”
“I am excited about our airport of the future and look forward to working with Auckland Airport as it begins to implement its plan,” says Mr Robertson.

John Beckett, executive director, Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand (BARNZ)
John Beckett, executive director, Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand (BARNZ), says, "The airlines that use Auckland Airport welcome this 30 year vision and plan in general terms.”

“It will provide much needed infrastructure that will improve operations and result in better journeys for all passengers and airlines as Auckland expands.”
“Airlines are pleased to see the airport is focused on phasing the development in a manner that it is flexible enough to respond to the changing dynamics of global aviation over the next 30 years.”

“Airlines now look forward to working with the airport on the specific projects within the plan."

Kim Campbell, chief executive, Employers and Manufacturers Association
Kim Campbell, Employers and Manufacturers Association chief executive, says, “The airport's vision is great news for businesses and their employees. It will significantly boost the Auckland economy and facilitate long term economic growth for New Zealand. We will all benefit from this plan which is a creative approach to ensuring Auckland remains a world class travel destination.”

Lydia Sosene, chair, Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board
Lydia Sosene, chair of the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board, says, “On behalf of the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board, I extend our heartiest congratulations to Auckland Airport with their new 30 Year masterplan – we look forward to the continued relations and ongoing employment opportunities for our local communities. Well done to all.”

Michael Barnett, chief executive, Auckland Chamber of Commerce
Michael Barnett, Auckland Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive, says, “This is an exciting and logical long-term plan. It’s exactly what Auckland needs to do over the next 30 years. The Chamber congratulates Auckland Airport on its vision and its focus on providing jobs and growth for the region. Exporters and the wider business community need the airport to successfully manage the rapidly increasing number of passengers and freight. The health of our economy very much depends on Auckland Airport being able to provide an efficient and effective service – this 30 year vision does exactly that.”

Brett O’Riley, chief executive, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED)
Brett O’Riley, ATEED’s chief executive, says, “The airport is one of the key pieces of Auckland's economic growth infrastructure. This vision will help drive growth in our key sectors like tourism, business events, food and beverage, life sciences, international education and ICT. We need the airport to continue to be a world leading gateway and air freight export platform, its growth plans and Auckland's growth plans are inextricably linked."
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