Auckland Airport’s 30-year Plan to Create “Airport of the Future”

A consortium made up of Architectus, Grimshaw, Mott MacDonald and Holmes Consulting has been selected to deliver a key milestone in the construction of Auckland Airport.

The design concept is expected to be delivered early next year. Mott MacDonald will be responsible for the overall airport planning and engineering disciplines, with structural and fire engineering provided in partnership with Holmes Consulting. Grimshaw and Architectus have been appointed to lead the concept design.

In 2014, Auckland Airport released a 30-year masterplan which outlined the airport's plans to install a second runway by 2025 and to combine what are currently separate international and domestic terminals.

The "airport of the future" will be multi-billion dollar investment to respond to the increase in passenger and flight numbers and support New Zealand's tourism industry - which generates $9.8 billion a year.

The consortium was selected in May through a rigorous tender process which sought to find a bid that would contribute to the socio-economic health of the airport's surrounding communities, the region and the whole of New Zealand.

The scope of the design project covers building works over the next 10 years.

Auckland Airport Chief Executive, Adrian Littlewood, says that the talent that these companies will commit to the project was a key factor in their selection.

“The selected consortium’s experience covers over 1000 aviation projects in 120 countries across 260 airports," he said.

"In addition to specialist experience and knowledge, the consortium’s architects have a proven record of successfully bringing local cultural influence into the fabric of their passenger focused design.

"This is a significant factor for us as we build a world class airport with a uniquely New Zealand feel.”

The design also includes significant expansion of border processing facilities and the integration of extensive new transport and car parking facilities.

“This is a tremendously exciting project that will further enhance Auckland Airport's standing as a key hub in the Asia-Pacific region and the gateway to New Zealand," Mott MacDonald Chairman Keith Howell said.

"To deliver this, we will draw on our experience at other strategically important airports such as London Heathrow, Hong Kong and Singapore, and have brought together a multi-talented consortium that has worked together before on other landmark schemes."The consortium has already commenced work on the concept, with the design expected to be complete in early 2018.