Auckland Airport ready to open first phase of renovated departure lounge

Auckland Airport in New Zealand has revealed further details of its newly renovated international departure area including the names of several retail outlets.

Adrian Littlewood, Auckland Airport’s chief executive, said, “The upgrade of our international departure area is progressing well, with 77% of construction now complete. The extension of the international terminal’s Pier B is also progressing well, with 82% of construction complete.

“In recent months we have opened a new customs and security screening processing area, as well as a new space for people to repack and relax after security screening.

“In September we opened a new Strata Lounge, a comfortable and relaxed space for travelers who do not belong to an airline lounge program,” said Littlewood. “We have also opened the first stage of the new stores for our two duty-free operators, Aelia and The Loop.”

Later this month, Auckland Airport will open Gate 17 – the first of two new gate lounges terminal – and in early December it will open the first half of the new international passenger lounge and its retail hub.

Opening in stages from December 2017, the new area will feature several New Zealand destination stores, showcasing the country and its unique products and brands. This includes Koha, a store showcasing New Zealand art and gifts; Mountain Jade, selling quality handcrafted greenstone; Beecology, a dedicated premium honey store; Whittaker’s chocolate store; and fashion retailers Icebreaker and the Merino Collection.

Theses stores will be joined in mid-2018 by a number of luxury brands including Coach; Hugo Boss; Furla; Fossil; Rolex and Omega. Some of these stores will be the luxury brands’ only New Zealand airport location, while others will be their first standalone New Zealand store.

“We are also excited to announce that 20 new food and beverage outlets will be opening across our international terminal to provide travelers, customers and staff with quality New Zealand and international cuisine,” said Littlewood.

“Fifteen of these outlets are brand new concepts to Auckland Airport and will be a mix of in-terminal restaurants, casual dining, grab and go, and fast food retailers. We will announce the names of these new food and beverage outlets closer to their openings, scheduled from March 2018.”