Preview of what’s to come: AKL delivers first major development phase with Transport Hub & plaza complete

• Parking returns closer to international terminal after major upgrade to circa 1970s car park
• Rental car services on the move, right next to Transport Hub

The transformation of a 75,000m² uncovered carpark and the front doorstep of the international terminal is now complete, delivering a much-improved experience for travellers arriving and departing from Auckland Airport.

Travellers can now once again park right outside the international terminal, with the final floors of the Transport Hub opening over the next two weeks. The old asphalt carpark, built around the time the international terminal opened in 1977, closed two years ago to make way for the new upgrades.

Chief Commercial Officer Mark Thomson said the new area provides a real step change in the way customers journey to and from the airport, with quick connections from road to plane.

"Over the last two years we've transformed the front doorstep of the international terminal. This new experience gives customers a preview of what's to come over the next five years, as we get on with delivering a new domestic jet and international terminal experience. This is just the beginning," he said.

"Enjoying time with loved ones for those special goodbyes or much anticipated welcomes will now be easier, with more short-term parking available right outside the front entrance of the international terminal."

The new 40,000m² plaza area includes 680 metres of covered walkways plus boardwalks, taking customers past the well-known Jean Batten statue. There are open spaces creating a contemporary outdoor area and extensive native planting with 21 large Pōhutukawa trees re-located from across the precinct and more than 43,000 native plants with 4,000 new plants coming from local nurseries.

The outdoor space connects the international terminal with the hotels (Novotel and Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel) and the Transport Hub.

Once fully operational by the end of November, the Transport Hub, which is aiming for a Gold Parksmart Certification sustainability rating, will have more than 2,000 additional undercover carparks, including more than 30 new electric vehicle charging stations and over 40 additional accessible parking options.

"We are pleased to deliver new levels of the Transport Hub and provide more choice for travellers when it comes to parking.

"My best tip for parking at AKL: discounted rates are available for pre-booking online for both international and domestic long term parking. Currently prices can be up to 35 per cent less when you book online ahead of time," said Mr Thomson.

Parking options for international travel

The new parking facility at the Transport Hub adds to a suite of parking options at Auckland Airport, ranging from value-based deals for long-term trips, to more premium options based on their proximity to the international terminal.

"Our focus is on providing customers with choice in terms of parking, from undercover options right outside the terminal, to great value options such as Park & Ride, where prices have remained the same since 2019," he said.

Here are some of the airport's top parking options:

• The Transport Hub provides the best parking options for customers who want to park right outside the international terminal, with short-stay and valet.

• Opening deals for the Transport Hub's new Premium parking for pre-booking before the end of the year, include seven days parking for as low as $79 - see the Auckland Airport website for details.
• If customers haven't pre-booked for the Transport Hub, we recommend paying at the automatic pay stations in the carpark before leaving in your vehicle, for a quicker exit, rather than at the barrier arm.
• Discounted rates are available by pre-booking online for long term parking at both international and domestic. For the Transport Hub premium parking, customers can pre-book online for five days for as low as $74. See the website for more.
• Valet Parking will often be a similar price or cheaper than parking your own vehicle. For example, Transport Hub valet parking can be $110 for six days (compared to $121, though best to get the current promo deal on offer online); or domestic valet can be around $143 (compared to $146).
• For pre-booking online two days in advance, customers can choose Standard Carpark D at international or Standard Carpark M at domestic, both for as low as $6.95 for two hours total.

"There have been adjustments to some parking options at Auckland Airport. Our average price changes are well below the cost of inflation and have been benchmarked against other comparable airports in New Zealand as well as CBD parking.

"We're also going to be making upgrades to the booking platform to make it smoother for customers," said Mr Thomson.

New rental car location at the Transport Hub

Car rental offices will start moving out of the international terminal into the ground floor of the Transport Hub from early November with the transition due to be finished by end of November. Rental car vehicles will be parked conveniently right behind the Transport Hub on the at-grade carpark, with access directly from the rental car offices. Customers will be able to follow the new signs to direct them there.

The ground floor of the Transport Hub continues to operate smoothly, with around 10,000 vehicles travelling through each day, dropping off and picking up loved ones and customers.

Additional accessible parking will be available on the new levels of the Transport Hub and the ground floor assistance buggy service will continue to run from the drop off pick up zone and from valet to the international terminal for those who need it.

The road signage looks slightly different when heading to the Transport Hub, carparks, hotels and rental car returns. Customers will need to follow the signs to make sure they are in the right lane.

For more information, head to

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• Video available here to download: AKL | Transport Hub Now Complete on Vimeo
• Images available to download from here, including before and after photos: https://we.tl/t-Nj8uvlvAcC
• Discount rates: The figures quoted above are accurate as at the day of this media release going live, and customers need to check the Auckland Airport website for updated prices.

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