Wellington Airport (WLG) has started the NZ$58m ($46m), 6,000sq m extension of its main terminal building and apron to add much-needed capacity, with new retail also earmarked. WLG processes 15,000 passengers daily on average with 20,000 at peaks.

 

The extension will add another 30m to the terminal building, double the width of both southern piers, provide extra gate lounge space, add new retail and F&B offerings, and increase the number of parking stands for aircraft.

 

In the financial year ending March 2014, WLG’s retail and trading activities generated NZ$33.7m ($26.7m) in consolidated revenue, up from NZ$32.8m the year before. The airport is expected to raise the share of revenue from retail given that it has said it will hold the average price per passenger in line with current aviation charges for the next five years to 2019.

 

An architectural feature of the new extension will be floor to ceiling windows and laminated timber cross-braces (pictured) spanning the full length of the southwest pier to add natural light with views over the runway and Lyall Bay.

 

INTERNATIONAL GROWTH OF +30% EXPECTED

The airport has appointed New Zealand infrastructure group Hawkins as the main contractor for the project, which will take around 1.5 years to complete. Steve Sanderson, Chief Executive of Wellington Airport, says: “The extension will provide a refreshing, open space with easy movement throughout the terminal, clear signs and a centralised screening point for all passengers.”

 

The extension will initially cater for 5.5m passengers, including 750,000 flying internationally. Total passenger numbers are forecast to increase by around 135,000 per year. Over the next five years the international market is forecast to rise by nearly +30% and the domestic market by +10%.