Winter Travel Heats Up These School Holidays At AKL
Thursday 10 July and Friday 11 July will be peak days for domestic travel, with around 14,500 departures and 14,000 arrivals expected
Australia is the top international destination for Kiwis this winter, along with Fiji and the United States
Christchurch is leading the way as the top destination for domestic travel from AKL, followed by Wellington and Queenstown.
One of the busiest travel times of the year is about to kick off at Auckland Airport, with nearly 800,000 travellers heading off for sun-soaked escapes or wintery adventures closer to home.
Travel volumes are already ramping up, with the domestic terminal busiest on Thursdays and Fridays, and international travel peaking over the weekends during the school holiday break.
Auckland Airport Chief Customer Officer Scott Tasker said New Zealanders love to travel and outside of the Christmas rush, the July school holidays attract some of the largest passenger numbers through Auckland Airport.
'We'll get around 60,000 travellers flying in and out of AKL on each of the busy days, roughly split between the international and domestic terminal – that's about 18 per cent more than our usual daily travel numbers.
'Flights to the US and China are in high demand, and because aircraft mostly depart in the evenings, that's when international departures volumes will be at their highest.'
Checking your international carry on bags
To ensure travellers have a smooth trip through the airport, international travellers are reminded to pack their carry on bags carefully, particularly when it comes to powders, liquids, aerosols and gels (PLAGS) due to security requirements.
Mr Tasker said the new Computed Tomography (CT) X-ray scanning machines in use at Aviation Security at the international terminal, and most lanes at domestic, means travellers no longer have the hassle of needing to remove laptops, phones and tablets in their cabin bags during screening.
'It's a good idea for everyone to double check your bags before coming to the airport, which helps to keep queues moving quickly and safely. Due to security requirements for international travel, people need to be conscious of the size of the containers they have in their carry on. They can only carry liquids through security in containers of 100ml or less, regardless of how much liquid is inside.
'At the international terminal, don't forget to also empty your water bottle before heading through security. You can refill it at a drinking fountain once you're through. A little preparation does help keep everything moving,' said Mr Tasker.
Busiest days
The start and end of the school holidays are shaping up to be the busiest days for international travel at Auckland Airport. More than 14,000 travellers are expected to depart international on Saturday 28 June, while over 15,000 arrivals are anticipated on Sunday 13 July.
For domestic travel, Thursdays and Fridays will be the peak days across the school holiday period. Friday 11 July is expected to be the busiest for domestic departures with around 14,500 travellers, while Thursday 10 July will see more than 14,000 arrivals.
'There's something special about the energy of the terminal during school holidays and our airport teams are ready to welcome the thousands of travellers coming through the terminals this July.'
Australia is the top international destination for Kiwis this winter, along with Fiji and the United States. Christchurch is leading the way for domestic travel, followed by Wellington and Queenstown.
Top tips for smooth school holiday travel
PLAGS check: For travelling internationally, laptops, powders, liquids and gels can remain in your carry-on bags, with Aviation Security's new CT scanners. The containers for liquids, aerosols and gels must be under 100mls, otherwise you'll need to dispose of them.
Prep while you wait to get through faster: While you're waiting for security checks at international, please remove ankle boots and empty your pockets. Laptops can stay in your carry on bags.
Domestic screening: For domestic travel, the majority of travellers will be able to leave laptops in carry on bags. Or friendly airport staff will let you know what to do.
· Travel light: Keep carry-on bags within airline size and weight limits.
International arrivals: Download the New Zealand Traveller Declaration form or the app from www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz or from the app store, to save on filling out the paper form on arrival.
Middle East: Flights to and through the Middle East may be affected by temporary airspace closures. Our advice to travellers with upcoming travel to, from or via the Arabian Gulf and Middle East is to keep a close watch on email, airline websites or airline apps. Airlines will have the most up-to-date information on their operations and any travel impacts.
Plan your parking: Pre - book your airport parking online via aucklandairport.co.nz for either the domestic or international terminals. There are premium closer options or Park n Ride for the best value. For meeters and farewellers, there's P180 options at the international terminal's Transport Hub.
Busiest days
International departures
Saturday 28 June
Sunday 29 June
Friday 4 July
International arrivals
Sunday 13 July
Saturday 12 July
Thursday 10 July
Domestic departures
Friday 11 July
Thursday 10 July
Friday 4 July
Domestic arrivals
Thursday 10 July
Friday 11 July
Friday 4 July
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
Travel alerts: South Australia expo, Europe's hidden gem, NZ's best steak and more global openings
Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. Meet South Australia's best tour operators in this travel event. Photo / Supplied Each week in Travel, we check out some of the latest happenings from Aotearoa and beyond to inspire your next adventure. South Australia Travel Expo Ready to start planning your South Australia holiday? The South Australia Travel Expo is coming to Auckland and Hamilton on August 19 and 20. Here, 20 passionate tourism operators gather to give Kiwis a rare chance to explore one of Australia's most diverse and authentic regions in one inspiring event. From luxury eco stays like Rumi on Louth to the remote riverfront retreats of The Frames, and from 4WD wildlife tours with Australian Coastal Safaris to unforgettable rail journeys aboard The Ghan and Indian Pacific, there is something for every kind of traveller. Entry is free, with the chance to win a trip for two to South Australia. For more information and to register, visit for details.
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Give a Stay initiative gifts weekends away to people in need
It's memories that stay with us for a lifetime – that's what two Taupō tourism businesses know well, so they launched a special initiative gifting weekend getaways to New Zealanders in need. The project, called Give a Stay, is the brainchild of holiday home businesses MyStays and Lakeside Accommodation, with
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Olive branch offered over parking fees
The Department of Conservation has offered a compromise over parking fees at Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks after strong objections from locals. Twelve free parks opposite the new Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre on State Highway 6 were removed in June by the New Zealand Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi, leaving Doc's car park as the only option for motorists. The pricing strategy released by Doc's on Thursday for its paid parking trial starting next month, sets the fee at $5 an hour. But Punakaiki locals will be allowed to park free of charge for 20 minutes, giving them time to pick up a coffee or their mail. And all Buller and Grey residents will be able to buy a $10 permit giving them unlimited parking for a year. Doc heritage and visitor director Catherine Wilson said the department had received more than 150 submissions on its plan to start charging at its car parks at Punakaiki, Franz Josef and Aoraki Mt Cook. "I think the majority of the submissions would have come from Punakaiki, and we understand that people might feel aggrieved - no one likes paying for parking - but we're trying to work out how to run Doc facilities that are costing us increasingly more. "The proposed fee regime was a balancing act between the needs of local residents, trampers on multi-day hikes, day trippers and bus tour companies with Doc concessions, Wilson said. The closest benchmark for the project was the car park at Milford Sound/Piopiotahi which charged $10 an hour. After reviewing the submissions, Doc had set the Punakaiki charges at the lower $5 rate. Concessionaires such as bus companies who already pay fees to operate on conservation land, will not have to pay for the time being. "We are still working through that with the tourism operators, but during the pilot they can apply for a parking fee exemption," Wilson said. Doc will also offer an annual parking permit for $60 for its Punakaiki and Franz Josef car parks, for any private vehicle owner, she said. Many regular users of national parks came from further afield and the $60 option would benefit trampers on longer walks who needed to park their cars for several days, Wilson said. Café owner Grant Parrett has protested that the parking charges will penalise locals and are essentially an unlawful fee to enter a National Park. "I suppose $5 an hour is not very much, but any paid parking is still enough to put the casual visitors off stopping and that will hurt local businesses. "New Zealanders don't like paying for parking," Parrett said. The 20-minute free parking period for locals was also not long enough to show a visitor around the Pancake Rocks, he said. "It takes about an hour to do the walk, so we'll still have to pay to enter the National Park." Wilson said some submitters had suggested an even shorter free period. "We'll give 20 minutes a go through the pilot period and see how it works and how the pricing regime affects visitor flows." Doc expected to collect between $1 million and $1.2m from the Punakaiki and Franz Josef car parks over the nine month pilot programme, Wilson said. She could not say if the revenue would be used to offset the cost of leasing space for the National Park Visitor Centre in the Punakaiki building, owned by Ngāti Waewae. That figure was commercially sensitive, Wilson said. But Doc was hugely short of funding for biodiversity work and any income it could attract would be put to good use. "We're funded at $300 million, but if we were to fully deliver for all the endangered species we are trying to save, the cost would be about $2 billion a year," she said. Doc will hold drop-in sessions at Punakaiki this month to seek feedback on the proposed parking fees. - By Lois Williams, Local Democracy reporter • LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
