Air New Zealand Air Points - "Air New Zealand premium lounge walkway"

http://www.auckland-airport.co.nz/AirportInformation/Airport-developments/~/media/Files/Retail%20files/DepartureUpdate_6.ashx

I was just looking at the latest update about the departures work at AKL.

It mentions a New Air New Zealand Premium Lounge Walkway. Does this mean your going to skip straight past the shopping mall?

Also the new departures customs check point open 03/11/09

From this sketch (http://www.auckland-airport.co.nz/Corporate/NewsAndMedia/Publications/~/media/Files/Corporate/Project%20Profiles/Departures%20Project%20Profile.ashx) it looks like there will be a slightly more direct way to the lounges with a new passage in behind the shops you currently have to walk past before turning right for the lounges. The new passage will of course have some more shops along it.

I wonder if they new walkway will be only for NZ lounge users?
Seems weird that the airport company is calling it the " Air New Zealand Premium Lounge Walkway" maybe its pay back for SYD.

I'm thinking they may mean the one from Checkin to the Screening point. Wouldnt the current one take you past the new Screening point?

The new departures immigration opened on Monday.

For passengers who can use the NZ premium lobby (except those flying on the codeshare flights to VLI, NOU, etc); the set-up has changed. You no longer have immigration desk right beside check-in. Instead you take the lift (found near the entrance to the premium lobby) up to departures where there is a special immigration desk (actually two but only 1 was manned when I went through despite being in the busy early morning period).

As before this takes you in between immigration and security. Unfortunately the only 2 security lanes open were at the far end of the row and thus no priority security (which we used to get with the old set-up).

You come out from security to the left of where used to be, right next to JR/duty free (where Regency used to be).

There did not appear to be any stairs, so if power is out (or lift is broken) you'd likely have to take the normal immigration route.

The new passage airside (behind Whitcoulls etc) is not yet open.

Sounds like bit of a downgrade :td:

I wonder if NZ are going to move the glass doors in there lobby to include the the lift.


(actually two but only 1 was manned when I went through despite being in the busy early morning period).


:D That sounds very Auckland, has anyone ever seen all the arrivals counters open?

They have altered the entrance slightly so that the wall goes between the reserved lift and the other lift. There is currently a huge blank space just inside the lobby, but given people will be going in both directions through it I can't see them putting much there, maybe a small sculpture on the opposite wall?

The main immigration area was worse, just 1 desk open for everyone else.

Oh, and the other change, but perhaps was a one-off, was that the lounge opened well before 5am. They were still setting things up when I entered.

I know these lifts well - does the public have access to both these on the 1st (Departures) floor, or just the one? (Or can someone simply walk into the *A lobby and take the "special" lift up?)

(I'm thinking oneworld Pre clearance).

The new passage airside (behind Whitcoulls etc) is not yet open.

New passage by whitcoulls was open last night so perhaps it only opened yesterday.

serfty - in theory anyone could "accidentally" wander into the premium lobby and then take the lift up. Since I used the Air NZ route for immigration I don't know what arrangements if any there are for pre-clearance (QF, CX, SQ, EK, TG, MH).

walshmi - I was there this morning. The passage between new immigration and duty free shops is indeed open. However there is going to be a second passage in behind Whitcoulls etc (check the link in the OP), which most definitely is not yet ready.

I know these lifts well - does the public have access to both these on the 1st (Departures) floor, or just the one? (Or can someone simply walk into the *A lobby and take the "special" lift up?)

(I'm thinking oneworld Pre clearance).

Same thought here, What happens if I get in this lift on Level 2, will it let me goto the ground floor!


If you open the map on http://www.auckland-airport.co.nz/AirportInformation/Airport-developments/New-departures-experience.aspx

And look carefully at the dutyfree store on the right hand side, you will notice what looks like a escalator (well thats what I think it looks like). So maybe using the lifts is only temporary.

NZ has mentioned a few times over the last year, that they are working with customs to improve check-in. In the latest share holder day, they said they shortly will be introducing the domestic check-in (self check machines) format for Tasman flights. So I'm thinking that the premium lobby might get moved over toward where flight center is.

Same thought here, What happens if I get in this lift on Level 2, will it let me goto the ground floor!

Yes it does. This is an existing lift. Level 2 is by the observation area and AIAL boardroom, level 1 is the new premium immigration and ground is inside the premium lobby. There is a second lift adjacent (outside the premium lobby), which presumably does not stop at the new premium immigration.

If you open the map on http://www.auckland-airport.co.nz/AirportInformation/Airport-developments/New-departures-experience.aspx

And look carefully at the dutyfree store on the right hand side, you will notice what looks like a escalator (well thats what I think it looks like). So maybe using the lifts is only temporary.

The escalator on the right hand side is the main one from the check in area up to the landside shops area - ie existing escalator. The NZ premium immigration is near the left hand end of stage 2 (the squares are the immigration desks and the U's are the security stations).

Kiwiflyer: this is where I was looking!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2563/4074958131_8f7bc65d61_o.png

Probably a longshot

Could just be some strange counter in the dutyfree store. Although it does look like its a escalator. But then there is no AVSEC counters at it, unless its going to be on the ground floor for these passengers.

Kiwiflyer: this is where I was looking!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2563/4074958131_8f7bc65d61_o.png

Probably a longshot

Could just be some strange counter in the dutyfree store. Although it does look like its a escalator. But then there is no AVSEC counters at it, unless its going to be on the ground floor for these passengers.I had a good look this morning.

That area is the old emigration location and is under redevelopment ... more shops and maybe back to the pre-clearance downstairs once complete.

Some points to note:

Signs near the lift in the premium area indicate it is ONLY for Premium AirNZ customers (i.e. NZ flight numbers). SQ, QF etc have to take the level one entrance with a premium walkway available once inside.
oneworld premium pre-clearance has not changed.
Lift inside premium area only goes between L1 and G for passengers.
The L2 doors for the inner lift are taped (roped) off.

Are they smart-gates in the emigration hall yet?

I saw no smartgates.

Smartgate isn't due until early 2010

The planned rollout timetable on the NZ Customs site has Smartgate going live for Auckland arrivals in December 2009 and for Auckland Departures in December 2010.

The planned rollout timetable on the NZ Customs site has Smartgate going live for Auckland arrivals in December 2009 and for Auckland Departures in December 2010.

I have a feeling that New Zealand has a very relaxed slow pace roll out of this system. They have had them in SYD & BNE for agers now. I don't get why they are going to take so long to get one at AKL departures, surely it would save them money.

Hopefully they will put one thats is just for Business & First passengers.

Hopefully they will put one thats is just for Business & First passengers.

they should get ''express'' immigration sorted too - able to invite all the premium passengers from all airlines , and also not just express immigration, what about x-ray? don't just do half. :td:

they should get ''express'' immigration sorted too - able to invite all the premium passengers from all airlines , and also not just express immigration, what about x-ray? don't just do half. :td:

Well MAF did say as part of this transtasman thing that only high risk passengers will have there bags xrayed, as per what all ready happens in Aussie. Not sure when its coming effective though.

Australian Customs & Quarantine staff make you feel more at home than AKL. Its like I get get out of SYD within 15minutes with Checked Bags & being in Zoo! try that at AKL !