Work has commenced on the $180 million expansion of Auckland International Airport, including extensive additional retail facilities for travellers.

Adrian Littlewood, Auckland Airport’s CEO, says the broader project is a major step forward in the ongoing implementation of our 30-year vision to build an ‘airport of the future’, which will by 2040 accommodate 40 million passengers a year by up from the 16 million of today.

“This expansion project is the next step in the development of our combined domestic and international terminal, which will provide a great customer experience and ensure the airport can both accommodate the changing nature of international travel and our strong growth in passenger numbers.”

The new international departure project almost doubles the size of the current primary international departure processing zone, passenger lounge and retail hub and comprises three distinct spaces:

• A reconfigured landside farewell area.
• A new and expanded security screening and processing area; and
• A new passenger lounge and retail hub.

The retail area will be significantly increased to give passengers plenty of space to sit, relax and shop before heading to their departure gate.

“It will have a range of seating zones, from relaxing lounge seating to dedicated food and beverage seating in a large, open and light-filled space,” Auckland Airport says in a statement.

“With stunning windows overlooking the Manukau Harbour, a mezzanine level will also provide the perfect spot to relax, enjoy some New Zealand hospitality and take-in the views across the airfield to the Manukau Heads beyond.”

The retail hub will include a range of new speciality stores and food and beverage outlets, which will operate alongside the existing two duty free operators, The Loop Duty Free and Aelia Duty Free will both unveil new stores and introduce new products as part of the redevelopment project.

“The design of the new international departure area will be influenced by a journey from New Zealand’s sea to sky and focuses on New Zealand’s natural beauty and our cultural heritage,” said Littlewood.

“Surrounding the passenger lounge area will be a fantastic retail hub, selling the best products from New Zealand and the world. To ensure we have sufficient space to introduce new brands and products, the terminal’s first floor retail and food and beverage leased area post security will grow by around 65 per cent.”

The area has been designed by American architects, Gensler, in partnership with New Zealand architects.

Construction of the new international departure area began in late 2015 and will continue until early 2018 over three distinct stages. This will ensure passengers can benefit from the changes as soon as they are finished, while at the same time minimising the impact of construction on travellers.

The first half of the two revamped duty free shopping areas will be completed by December this year, and the second half by May 2017 along with the first half of the expanded general retail precinct. The entire project will be finished in early 2018.