News

New Altitudes

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:13:09 GMT

17 February 2010

NZ Customs’ recent move to new premises at the airport didn’t even leave a gap. In fact, it was just what Altitude Aerospace Interiors needed.

The aircraft engineering and interior design consultancy has now spread themselves out, taking over the entire ground floor of Isitt House on Leonard Isitt Drive.

It’s a sign that the company is not only surviving the current economic times, it’s thriving.

Altitude specialises in reconfiguring and integrating interiors on commercial jet aircraft and designing products and interiors for Boeing business and private jets and has offices in both Auckland and Christchurch.

Satisfaction guaranteed

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:51:53 GMT

15 February 2010

Jetstar’s already known for its low fares, but a recently announced guarantee is just one step in a bid to ensure the airline is also known for its excellent service.

The guarantee consists of 10 statements of intent that the airline will follow from now on including providing alternative arrangements for cancelled flights, acknowledging complaints within 24 hours, and a maximum 15-business day turnaround for processing of refunds.

If they break any of these commitments, Jetstar has created a set of consequences including providing affected customers with travel vouchers in local currency, as well as Jetstar directly donating significant sums to World Vision through its StarKids programme.

To find out more about the Customer Guarantee go to www.jetstar.com

Big raps for airport coffee

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:40:03 GMT

2 February 2010

Airports often get a bad rap for their terrible coffee, but Auckland Airport now has written proof that their coffee is just as good as the cafés along Ponsonby Road.

In Café Magazine’s café blog, the new Espresso Bar selling Atomic Coffee was judged by the writer to be “damn mighty fine” coffee.

www.cafemagazine.co.nz

Saving with showerheads

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:35:22 GMT

11 February 2010

How can you turn $7,000 into $148,000?

Easy – just replace all the showerheads in the international terminal lounges and rest rooms with low flow fittings at a cost of $7,000.

You will then save an amazing $148,000 a year through reduced water and energy bills.

This was just one of the findings of a detailed energy audit of the terminal conducted last year. Needless to say the company’s energy conservation
group are now busy implementing the recommendations and maximising the savings.

Fiji winner

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:23:06 GMT

19 February 2010

It was definitely the best $10 Valen Pirret has ever spent – it won her a trip to Fiji.

The Hot Holiday competition ran from November 9 2009 to 31 January 2010 and attracted almost 5,800 entries from customers who spent more than $10 in any of the international terminal shops.

But it was Valen, from Rotorua, who won a prize package that includes return Air New Zealand flights for two to Denarau, Fiji, five nights ccommodation
at The Westin, daily buffet breakfast, two 30-minute massages, and golf at the Denarau golf and racquet club.

She was on her way to Australia in December when she entered and she’s considering giving the trip to her cousin as a 21st present.

You never know though, the temptation of sunshine might prove too much!

Summer of hot cash prizes

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:30:00 GMT

3 March 2010

For 13 sizzling weeks over summer the domestic terminal shops participated in the Hot Cash Competition, which gave customers a chance to win a weekly prize draw of $500. The last prize draw was made on March 1.

The winning entries came from purchases in many different areas of the domestic terminal, from News Travels to NZ & Beyond and the noodle shop Hayama.

All the recipients were very excited to have won the unexpected bonus; one woman said that finding the notification email in her inbox among all her boring work emails had made her day, while another winner said she would be able to use the money when she came back through Auckland Airport on an overseas trip later in the year.

Lounge around for just $10

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:42:08 GMT

8 February 2010

A new level of comfort is now available for travellers on Jetstar’s domestic network, with passengers flying from Auckland to Christchurch, Wellington or Queenstown able to relax at the recently opened Akarana Lounge at Auckland Airport.

For a special introductory online price of $9.99 Jetstar passengers can enjoy the range of complimentary food and drinks as well as plasma screen entertainment and a range of business facilities including workstations, Wi-Fi access and computer terminals before boarding their plane.

The lounge is also available to international Qantas customers switching to a domestic Jetstar flight at Auckland Airport. For those passengers who don’t purchase online, access at the door is available from $15.

Jetstar says the opening of the Akarana Lounge is the first step in their 2010 programme of customer initiatives that will provide a new airport experience for customers in New Zealand.

New budget airport hotel

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:36:06 GMT

26 February 2010

Affordable accommodation at the airport is on its way with a 125 room Formule 1 Hotel opening at the airport in time for the Rugby World Cup 2011.

This 2-star budget Formule 1 Hotel will appeal to the budget conscious traveller and beautifully complement the 4-star Novotel Auckland Airport, which is currently being built next to the international terminal and will also be ready in time for the world cup.

The hotel will be operated by leading global hotel operator Accor Hospitality which will also be operating the Novotel Auckland Airport. Renowned architectural firm Jasmax has been selected to design the Formule 1, and the development will be project managed by RCP.

Artist impression

Branching out

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:29:36 GMT

24 February 2010

One of the most exciting and unique aspects to the new airside shopping area in the international terminal is the large tree-like structure planned as the centrepiece for the entire space.

The tree will be a distinctive and iconic focal point, with a huge canvas canopy billowing out like the roof of a marquee and constantly changing in colour and appearance, with the help of some high tech lighting situated in the ceiling.

The tree will be surrounded by retail shops, as well as new food and beverage outlets, and will be part of an area where passengers can relax, unwind and reflect.

It is scheduled to be complete at the end of this year.

Artist impressions

Cupid at the airport

aldworth.s@akl-airport.co.nz (sarahaldworth) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:25:32 GMT

12 February 2010

Auckland Airport staff played their part in a grand romantic gesture last month when they helped a young Tauranga man propose to his girlfriend in the landside departures area.

Gemma Herrick and Jared Barnes had a sentimental attachment to the airport departures area, after spending nine months in a long distance relationship in 2009.

Jared decided a trip to the airport to mark the anniversary of the day he first had to leave to go to Australia for work was the perfect time to surprise his girlfriend with a proposal.

He had the ring case hidden in his sock on the drive to Auckland.

Airport staff were only too happy to put the words “Will you marry me, Gemma?” on the big screen in the departures area.

The good news is that Gemma said yes!