New check-in pavilion at Auckland Airport to keep travellers moving during terminal upgrade

• Temporary check-in facility to be built outside the international terminal
• Provides capacity to supports smooth airport operations during departure hall upgrade.
• The facility, to be named Check-in Zone T, will open in autumn 2026
• Travellers will be able to find their assigned check in zone 24 hours ahead of flight departure

Auckland Airport is starting to build a temporary check-in pavilion alongside the international terminal – a short-term expansion designed to keep travellers moving while major upgrades take place inside the departures hall.

Located between the Transport Hub and the existing terminal, the new facility (Check-in Zone T) will help to provide check-in capacity as construction begins on a completely reimagined departures hall. The project is part of Auckland Airport’s transformation programme to create an integrated domestic and international terminal that delivers a faster, smarter, and more connected experience for travellers.

Chief Operations Officer Chloe Surridge said the new pavilion was essential to maintaining day-to-day operations while the international check-in area is progressively upgraded between 2026 and 2029.

“We currently have around 14,000 international travellers checking in and departing from Auckland Airport throughout the day,” she said. “At the same time, we’re preparing to completely re-shape the check-in experience to make it simpler and more self-service focused.

“While the construction work will be carefully staged a zone at a time, it is going to mean changes to the way we use the check-in hall. At times, there will be the need for additional flexible check-in capacity to keep the system operating smoothly, while delivering the long-term transformation,” she said.

“The solution is to build a new check-in pavilion – a proven, temporary measure used by airports around the world when required.”

The 55-metre-long, 20-metre-wide structure will house 28 check-in counters, capable of comfortably handling passengers for up to four wide-body aircraft at one time. Walkways will connect the pavilion to the terminal.

Travellers will be able to look up their correct check-in zone 24 hours ahead of their flight departure via the departures page on the Auckland Airport website. Digital display boards inside

the terminal and in the Transport Hub will also clearly direct customers to the correct check-in area for their flight.

“The pavilion effectively substitutes one of our existing check-in zones inside the terminal, allowing us to put that area behind hoardings and carry out a staged, full upgrade to self-service kiosk and bag-drop technology,” Ms Surridge said.

The transformation of the departures hall is part of wider construction work that, over the next four years, will bring together both international and domestic jet travellers.

“While we are doing everything we can to minimise disruption, we appreciate travellers’ patience and understanding as we work towards delivering this next phase of the build.”

Whipping up a warm welcome

Construction of the check-in pavilion has begun with the facility expected to open in autumn ahead of the main departures hall upgrade getting underway.

Like a giant Meccano set, the pavilion will arrive at Auckland Airport in prefabricated components – some sourced locally and others from suppliers as far away as Germany – before being bolted together on site.

Ms Surridge said this modular approach allows the pavilion to be built quickly and safely alongside the Transport Hub, with minimal disruption to airport operations.

“We expect the structure to be in place by Christmas, with fit-out and airline preparations taking place over several months in the early part of 2026, ready for opening for traveller check-in in the new year,” she said.

Upgrading access and connectivity

The pavilion construction forms part of a wider programme of work underway in front of the international terminal, focused on improving access and upgrading vital utilities beneath the terminal forecourt.

“As part of our terminal upgrades, we’re creating new forecourts and transport lanes right outside the terminal,” Ms Surridge said.

“In future, the Transport Hub will be used for meeters, farewellers and parking, while pick-up and drop-off for transport operators will be relocated closer to the terminal doors.”

“Beneath the surface, we’re also upgrading utilities – new stormwater, fibre, power, and water infrastructure that will future-proof this area of the precinct and support the integrated terminal for decades to come.

“We know construction can bring some change, and we’re grateful for travellers’ patience as we take this next step,” Ms Surridge said.

“Each project underway is helping to build an airport designed for the way people travel today and into the future.”