Christchurch International Airport - Airport Redevelopment

Airport Redevelopment

Christchurch Airport is currently undergoing an extensive expansion project. This began in 2006 when construction commenced on a new multi-storey car park building which opened early 2007. The new building provides 570 new covered car parks. Once it was complete, part of the existing car park area was closed to allow for the extra space required for the expanded footprint of the new terminal building. A new 45m tall control tower, positioned close to the new car park building, opened in September 2009.

In early 2009 work on the new terminal commenced. The new terminal replaces the existing aging domestic terminal and expand the facilities of the much newer international terminal. The new building will include:

• a combined check-in area servicing both domestic and international passengers,
• a large landside retail and food precinct,
• new domestic departure and arrival lounges with enhanced retail facilities,
• new domestic and expanded international baggage claim areas inclusive of a separate Regional/Small Aircraft Baggage claim,
• new international customs arrivals area, inclusive of a natural experience of New Zealand
• three swing-style boarding gates accessible from both the domestic and international departure areas so aircraft do not need to change gates,
• a new taxiing lane incorporated into the domestic aircraft parking apron to allow for more efficient aircraft movements,
• new coach and drop off facilities that eliminate the terminal frontage road in accordance with new international ICAO guidelines.

Stage 1 of the new terminal, including the new check-in hall, new food/retail precinct, new single domestic security screening, and the new regional departure lounge and baggage claim of the new terminal was completed in May 2011, allowing the old international check-in and the old domestic terminal north of the main pier to be demolished to make way for Stage 2. Stage 2, which includes the new domestic baggage claim and the northern half of the new domestic departure lounge, has been partially completed with the new baggage claim completed in February 2012.

The old domestic terminal will eventually be completely demolished to make way for the new terminal. All construction is expected to be completed by late 2012, with some work such as demolition continuing into 2013.