Securing the future

More than 11 million passengers passed through Auckland Airport last year and the number is increasing annually. Until recently, all international passengers shared the same departure facilities. But following one of the most complex construction projects ever to be undertaken at the airport, arriving and departing passengers are now separated.

Don Huse, chief executive of Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) says the pier segregation programme was undertaken to meet Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) security requirements. The airport had previously operated under a security waiver, which permitted the sharing of facilities. The passenger segregation follows increased worldwide security concerns and regulations following 9/11.To meet these requirements, a new level, which accommodates departing passengers, was added to the existing pier.

For the AIAL, adding a new level also meant terminal facilities could be upgraded. Beca, the company contracted to engineer and project manage the operation says an opportunity to enhance the passenger experience and enlarge the retail facilities was identified in the design process and added to the design brief.

Escalators now take departing passengers to the second floor of the pier. This new level contains the enhanced retail, food and beverage area. Departing passengers then proceed to their allocated gate, descending via escalator or lift to the enclosed gate lounges on the first level. Arriving passengers exit their aircraft and continue along the first floor of the pier to immigration, baggage claim and MAF processing areas.

A new lobby at the entrance to each airbridge features interlinked security doors opening from the departure lounges and into the arrivals corridors. These ensure arriving passengers cannot access the departures area and vice versa.

AIAL says this separation alleviates the need for secondary screening of flights, improving passengers' travel experience and freeing up valuable Aviation Security Service and airport resources.

Huse says the success of the project is the result of the expertise of a large team.

"As well as our own airport team, we acknowledge the commitment and energy provided by Beca, the architectural firm Stephenson and Turner, lead contractor Hawkins, and the hundreds of professionals and contractors who have looked after each part of this very significant project," he says.

Story by: Trendsideas