Aviation & Airports

Biosecurity New Zealand is deploying 20 additional staff at Auckland Airport during the coming school holiday period to increase capacity and speed up border processing.

Queenstown will be the most popular destination on Air New Zealand’s domestic network during the September school holidays.

About 15,000 travellers are expected to depart from Auckland Airport’s international terminal on Saturday 23 September, the first day of the school holidays, making it the busiest day of the school holiday period. 

More than 311 flights, 112,000 meals and 24,000 glasses of bubbles have been served during the first year of Air New Zealand’s flights between Auckland and New York.

Total passenger numbers at Queenstown Airport in August 2023 recovered to almost 96.3% of the same month in pre-Covid 2019.

Passenger volumes at Auckland Airport during August reached 84% of their pre-pandemic equivalent during the same month in 2018.

There’s also support for a cruise ship ban but less so for removing the aerodrome.

Air New Zealand says it carried about 1.32 million passengers in July 2023, up 7.4% on the same month in 2022.

AirAsia X has signed on with the Auckland Marathon as the official airline partner for this year’s event.

Air New Zealand has warned of a “significant impact” on its schedule after manufacturer Pratt & Whitney said up to 700 of its jet engines will have their maintenance revised due to a flaw.

Christchurch Airport has scooped the sustainability and supreme gongs at the Air New Zealand Tūhono Supplier Awards.

Greater connectivity, a path for low and zero-carbon aviation, and future-proofing infrastructure are among the key recommendations in the New Zealand Airports Association’s election policy manifesto for the future government.

Liquid hydrogen-fueled aircraft could reduce New Zealand’s carbon emissions by up to 900,000 tonnes annually by 2050, according to a report from a consortium that includes Air New Zealand and Christchurch Airport.

Qantas boss Alan Joyce will leave the airline today, two months early, with Vanessa Hudson taking over as group chief executive and managing director – the first woman to lead the airline.

Auckland Airport’s chief infrastructure officer, André Lovatt, has resigned after more than five years with the company to take up a similar role at KiwiRail.

DQ and LWT say the proposal is not aligned with the district’s new regenerative tourism approach.

Auckland Council has sold 7% of shares in Auckland International Airport Limited for an average of $8.11 per share, bringing in around $833m.

Rotorua Airport and RotoruaNZ are seeing a board observer for the 2023/24 period.

The airline is exploring more direct regional connections to be serviced with new aircraft.

Christchurch International Airport Limited has reported net profit after tax of $36.84m for the year to June 2023, down 38% on the previous period.

Queenstown Airport is reporting solid support for further investment in upgrades to its airfield, terminal, ground transport links and safety enhancements.

Live sport is coming to Air New Zealand’s inflight entertainment from today, in time for the Rugby World Cup, which kicks off on Saturday, 9 September.

The proposed Tarras airport in Central Otago will have a runway aligned north east to the Lindis Valley and south to Lake Dunstan and will be able to take long-distance jet aircraft.

The Airports Council International Asia-Pacific has awarded Christchurch Airport the Green Airports Recognition 2023 and the Airport Carbon Accreditation – Mentor.

Queenstown Airport’s air traffic tower is lighting up in rainbow colours to celebrate the Winter Pride Week.

There are mixed results from Air NZ and Auckland Airport as they grapple with sustainability while travel ramps up.

Qantas has posted an underlying profit before tax of A$2.47bn (NZ$2.68bn) for the year to June 2023.

New legislation to ensure the resilience and security of New Zealand’s fuel supply – including jet fuel – has passed its third reading in parliament.

But uncertainty and volatility prevents the airline from providing guidance for FY24.

International seat capacity recovered to 90% of pre-pandemic levels, and domestic to 89%.

Malaysia-based airline Batik Air is commencing flights between Kuala Lumpur and Auckland via Perth this week.

Queenstown Lakes District Council, which owns 75.01% of QAC, will be paid $11.66m in dividends for the year, which the airport operator equated to nearly $390 per ratepayer. Auckland Airport, which owns 24.99% of QAC, will be paid $3.94m.

Marlborough Airport will open a new car park next month with space for 290 vehicles and better room for rental car operators.

Auckland Airport is making efforts to attract more women into operations and infrastructure roles.

Queenstown Lakes District Council is seeking feedback on the management of the Glenorchy Airstrip on the banks of Lake Whakatipu.

Wellington Airport has begun excavation of a section of hill at its southwestern end to make room for long-term expansion.

Training in the aviation engineering sector is receiving a boost through a new partnership between Air New Zealand and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology | Te Pūkenga.

International and domestic passenger movement at Auckland Airport during July have seen a healthy bump due to the school holidays and arrivals for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

International passenger movements at Queenstown Airport rose to 85,813 in July 2023, up 28% compared with the same month in 2022.

Christchurch Airport will hold community engagement days on its Tarras airport proposal this month.

Wellington Airport has taken the first step to gaining independent validation of its net zero emissions by 2030 and absolute zero by 2050 targets.

Asia Pacific airlines saw a 128.1% increase in traffic in June 2023 compared with the same month last year, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Queenstown Airport Corporation has converted its $100m bank lending facilities to sustainability-linked loans.

Auckland Airport says its proposed new domestic terminal is in the final stages of design and foundation testing.

The airline’s NZ boss says the country’s beauty will always keep it near the top of bucket lists but first impressions also count.

Air New Zealand is looking for airports around the country to support the airline’s low-emission test flights.

Wellington Airport is paying tribute to Ngā Tipua Nui, The Great Beings from Māori legend that inhabited Te Whanganui-a-Tara, the harbour and hills.

Air New Zealand says it carried 1.38 million passengers in June 2023, down 7% for the same month in pre-Covid 2019.

Air New Zealand has partnered with Auckland-based beverage business East Imperial to provide a range of seasonal cocktails on its long-haul flights.

Air New Zealand has unveiled a local-product heavy line-up in its new Business Premier menu, while suppliers still await the outcome of its snack menu overhaul.