Nelson Airport in New Zealand has opened its new terminal after completion of the first phase of its redevelopment project.
The terminal is part of a NZ$32m ($20.6m) project that will enable the airport to boost its passenger handling capacity to 1.4 million per annum.
The modernisation will enhance the customer experience and provide additional seating space and airline lounges with modern facilities. Additionally, the airport will offer more retail facilities and parking spaces.
When announcing the project in August 2016, Nelson Airport CEO Rob Evans said that latest industry best practice techniques were used to determine the way this facility works for passengers and its operators.
The new terminal is the first stage of the redevelopment project that is scheduled to be completed by October next year.
The terminal features a spacious open-plan interior and a unique roof design. Timber products and floor-to-ceiling windows have been incorporated to enhance the design of the airport.
Studio Pacific Architecture has designed the new terminal building, which replaces the terminal that was built in 1974. It is managed by Aesculus Project Management, while Dunning Thornton and CGW served as the engineers.
The modular terminal design can be easily scaled up in the future if passenger numbers exceed the predicted figures.
The terminal redevelopment costs will be met completely by Nelson Airport using external funding, without the requirement of ratepayer money and no reduction in the annual dividend paid by the airport to its shareholders.
Nelson City and Tasman District councils collectively own the airport company.
