Auckland Airport has updated its Master Plan for the first time in 10 years, and the most notable change is that its second runway has been put on the back burner for the time being.
The updated plan comes as AKL’s chief strategic planning officer Mary-Liz Tucker admits that a lot has changed since 2014, from customer expectations, technology and climate resilience, to the growing needs of Auckland and New Zealand. “It is an evolution, building on previous plans, while ensuring we are responding to what New Zealand needs from its main international gateway not just for today, but well into the future.”
. . . Runway
The draft Master Plan includes an updated timeframe for the creation of a second runway, which was previously signalled to be operational by 2028, but is now expected to be pushed out a decade. “Construction of a second runway is a big commitment, and one that we will only consider if it is in the best interests of New Zealand,” explains Tucker. “First, we will fully explore all the ways we can ensure our current airfield operates as efficiently as possible.” And efficiency will be needed; the Master Plan anticipates a time when around 38 million people will travel through AKL, that’s around double the number of travellers through the airport today. Tucker emphasises that while the Master Plan guides the airport’s investment decisions, it is not a detailed construction or capital plan, and it is not a commitment to build certain assets. “At its heart it is a blueprint that makes sure we are building the right thing, at the right time, in the right place.”
See more details on the plan HERE.
