Airport company Papa Rererangi i Puketapu (PRIP) has awarded NZ$28.7m ($19.91m) contract to Clelands Construction to build a terminal at the New Plymouth Airport in New Zealand.
Clelands Construction was selected for the project from three competitors following a tender process.
Papa Rererangi i Puketapu CEO Wayne Wootton said: “In the end, after a rigorous tender evaluation process, the contract was awarded for professionalism and the best value for money.
“We’re on a journey to transform from a 1960s airport to a modern regional gateway, pivotal to our regional tourism strategy. Clelands will be working closely with the airport company and Puketapu hapu to build a distinctive terminal that celebrates Taranaki’s heritage.”
The airport’s existing terminal was built in the 1960s to manage around 50,000 passengers per annum. Currently, the airport is facing an influx of 440,000 travellers per year and is looking to expand the terminal to deal with its over-capacity issues.
In March last year, the New Plymouth District Council recommended that the terminal should be expanded from 1,432m2 to 4,092m2. The proposed new terminal will double the current size to meet commercial trends.
The upgraded terminal will feature new check-in and luggage processing facilities for Air New Zealand and Jetstar, larger arrivals and departures areas, more space for the café and new retail areas, additional space for aircraft as well as car parking.
Clelands managing director Michael Braggins said: “The timing of this announcement should provide a level of optimism for local subcontractors and suppliers following recent negative press related to potential restrictions being imposed on the oil and gas and dairy industries.
“Tourism isn’t today’s buzzword, it’s real, and we are currently at the front end of several tourism and hospitality projects that will be delivered with local resources over the next few years.”
The terminal redevelopment project will be completely funded from airport revenue. Early construction work commenced in December last year.
