Air New Zealand Air Points - AKL arrival chaos 10/2

Around midday, AKL intl arrivals was chaotic to say the least.

Dont know how bad the customs queue was because used the duty free express - which was 5-10 minute wait!!

But, after getting bags was over 30 minutes to get to xray. Queued 5 abreast the full length of the baggage reclaim area and doubled back. MAF seemed to be fully staffed so I guess just bad timing with lots of flights arriving the same time.

I've never seen AKL arrivals like this before. Maybe just been lucky enough to be on one of the first planes arriving at this busy time in the past.

Yes - AKL airport from 12noon - 3pm is getting a bit of a nightmare. Was catching late trans-Tasman flights into Akl arriving about midnight - 1am and this is fine - can get through (esp if no bags & up front) in 5-6mins. These flights can be late, so thought change to a lesiurely daytime flight.

However, changed to daytime flights and find this chaos at Akl, since Dec. Even to the point that there is no gates and planes are queued up to get in - once in, it is a shambles, especially the xray line where it is every traveler for themselves.

[This message has been edited by CorporateFlyer (edited Feb 10, 2004).]

Sounds like AKL is only fooling itself with its press releases that "airport facilities are coping well with the increased flight movements over the summer" (paraphrased from most recent Operation Summer p/r). In fact, this situation sounds extremely similar to past experiences in October 2001 and January 2002 at the height of the end of the school holiday season.

I wonder how much worse it will get before the Airport finally decides that the airside areas are due for some much needed expansion, financed by those record profits they've been raking in for the past few years??

Apparently there are major expansion plans - 2nd runway, 2nd pier for intl terminal, bigger apron. I dont recall the time frame.

Sorry I dont have links to the articles on hand.

Personally I have never had a problem. I usually fly in on NZ102. Departures during that time can be hectic and the immigration hall can become very congested and hot!!!!!!

But a recent flight arriving 11 something had no queues whatsoever. In fact they even had closed the express duty free lane (presumably as being pointless?). Maybe I just got lucky?

"especially the xray line..."

It's been about a decade since I have been through AKL, so can someone please explain what this reference means? Do arriving passengers' bags have to be x-rayed before entry into New Zealand?

"especially the xray line..."

It's been about a decade since I have been through AKL, so can someone please explain what this reference means? Do arriving passengers' bags have to be x-rayed before entry into New Zealand?

yes, all bags are put through the machines at customs!

Xrays are to check for food (esp fruit) and similar. If you bring in anything not allowed you can be fined on the spot NZ$200. If it is more serious there are much larger fines and even jail time as a possibility.

There are warning signs and amnesty bins between baggage claim and the xray machines, and airlines should make announcement prior to landing.

There was an incident a year or two back when half a planeload of aussies took fruit from the plane and were pinged with the fines. It even made it onto tv courtesy of a reality tv show on border patrol.

I was aware of the food embargo, of course, as that has been in effect for decades. As in Australia. Just never recalled X-Raying of bags which must be relatively new. So, will they confiscate my granola bars?

I was aware of the food embargo, of course, as that has been in effect for decades. As in Australia. Just never recalled X-Raying of bags which must be relatively new. So, will they confiscate my granola bars?

Declare it. With food like that (i.e., pre-packaged food), the common procedure is for you to declare it. The Customs Officer will ask what sort of food it is, you tell him/her. You may have to show them as well. If the Officer is happy, they'll direct you to one of the x-ray machines. They'll x-ray everything, including your carry-on.

If you don't anything dodgy, they'll send you on your way, otherwise, you'll be up for their mercy.

These machines have been there for at least 3 years now...

I have to agree that AKL airport needs some major upgrading. I've been there on an int trf and heard announcement after.... for passengers to get to their gate. The problem is they are stuck in the immigration bottlenecks. This must be very frustrating for the airlines especially as the gates are so precious and as soon as one a/c departs, another rolls up. Also it's no fun landing at a remote stand and being bussed to the terminal. Apart from that it's a great terminal oh, except the QP, it is very dated and has no view. :(

Compared to LAX, I've always found AKL arrivals to be effortless. Departures are turning into a bit of a zoo though, but I guess the secondary screening is mainly to blame for that.

Having my checked bags rummaged through before even approaching the checkin desk last time was rather disconcerting. No gloves worn either. Next time I think I'll follow another poster's suggestion and place a "marital aid" in the bag so it's the first thing the screener sees, and watch him run to find some gloves :D

justakiwi

Could something like that be considered an offensive weapon or perhaps a tribal peace offering. :D