Auckland International Airport has brought forward a NZ$180m upgrade to serve New Zealand's hosting of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The planned expansion, part of the airport's 20-year master plan, has been brought forward by 18 months.
Referred to as stage 3B, the project will bring the baggage hall, customs and biosecurity screening area and the arrivals concourse up to a newly-developed first floor.
Work on the airport's second pier has already begun and is anticipated to be in use by 2011.
Stage 3A, which is due for completion next June, includes capacity improvements to the arrivals and border agency processing area of the international terminal.
The cost of the upgrade will be spread over three years, with the bulk of it planned for in the 2010-11 budget.
By staff writer
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