07 April 2009

Airport Terminal Development to commence in May

Illustration by www.stantiallstudio.co.nz ©

Christchurch Airport’s new terminal development will commence in May, and will be largely complete before the 2011 Rugby World Cup, setting new standards for quality and efficiency, Christchurch International Airport Ltd (CIAL) said.

“We are pleased to announce that our Board yesterday approved the commencement of the project, and appointed construction company Hawkins Construction Ltd as the main building contractor”, said CIAL’s acting Chief Executive Jim Boult.

Hawkins will commence on site in late June, and bring substantial airport experience to the project, having successfully completed several development projects at Auckland International Airport.  The company is also currently constructing the Airways Air Traffic Control tower at Christchurch Airport. 

Quin Henderson, Southern Regional Manager for Hawkins, said that his team were looking forward to applying their substantial knowledge to this project.   

“We are thrilled to be awarded this significant contract, and we fully understand the challenges of building in an operational airport environment, where the convenience and safety of those using the area is our utmost concern”, he said.

Mr Boult acknowledged that the development project had been subject to a number of delays, but said that the project completion date had now been brought forward by seven months due to some innovative construction staging proposed by Hawkins. 

“The first major stage of the new terminal, a new domestic and international check in hall on the ground floor with a retail and dining precinct on the first floor, will be operational by January 2011.  From there, we start work on the demolition of the existing domestic terminal, and construction of the balance of the new terminal, and for this stage we are looking at a completion date of mid 2012,” said Mr Boult.

During construction, large enclosed walkways will allow seamless and undisturbed access between the new and existing parts of the terminal, and will cater to the peak passenger demands expected during the Rugby World Cup in 2011. 

Mr Boult said that this will be one of the largest construction projects the South Island has ever seen.

“When finished, this new terminal will set new standards for quality and efficiency, and will quickly advance the South Island’s position as New Zealand’s tourism gateway,” he said.