IN THIS ISSUE

▼ Auckland welcomes third A380

▼ For art’s sake

▼ Readying for more Chinese tourists

▼ Not just a pretty face

▼ Reaching for the top

Keeping you informed | ISSN 1176-9432 Auckland welcomes third A380 Readying for more Chinese tourists As part of its continuing effort to create better airport experiences, Auckland Airport hosted a week of workshops in May to help staff learn more about our Chinese visitors.

Auckland will become the first airport outside “It really highlights Emirates’ dedication to of Dubai to accommodate three A380 aircraft New Zealand and its commitment to growing on the ground at one time, after Emirates passenger demand by adding more announced it would be adding a third double- capacity,” Adrian says. decker to its daily Auckland-Brisbane-Dubai “This is great news for the tourism sector route. and the New Zealand economy.” The addition, which starts on October 2, The Emirates A380 aircraft can carry 489 introduces an extra 135 return seats each China is New Zealand’s fastest-growing passengers and were first introduced on the day to the route and Auckland Airport’s chief tourism market – its visitors spent $673 airline’s Auckland-Sydney-Dubai route in executive Adrian Littlewood says it will help million in the 12 months to March 2013, 2009. stimulate demand and fuel growth for the a massive 42 per cent increase on New Zealand tourism industry. www.emirates.com the 12 months before that – and the airport’s general manager aeronautical commercial, Glenn Wedlock, says it’s For art’s sake important that the industry is prepared to cater for the demand and maximise permanent homes in the lake area, with the benefits the market can bring. more art installations planned for spaces such as the terminal entry roundabout and in Employees from the airport’s the Landing precinct. The idea is to have a aeronautical operations, retail collection of art pieces scattered throughout and commercial teams took part the airport district, which is to be known as in the workshops, alongside staff the Outdoor Gallery. This will be linked to from Customs, Ministry of Primary the airport’s Facebook page, where visitors Industries and the Police. They all will also be able to access information about received intensive training in Chinese each of the sculptures. behaviour and communication styles from TravConsult, specialists in Auckland Airport’s property projects manager international customer service and Steven Rossouw says the development will tourism development. link parts of the airport that have never been Auckland Airport begins placing a number of linked for pedestrians before, for example Trevor Lee, TravConsult’s managing artworks throughout the grounds this week the Ministry of Primary Industries building to director, was impressed with how as part of the move to make the district more the retail centre, while providing a cultural Auckland Airport approached the pedestrian-oriented. injection to the area. workshops.

Called the Esplanade, the “art walk” has two “There are also quite a lot of native birds “These workshops will make the parts – the first is a tree and wildflower-lined and plants in the lake area, so this will be interactions at identified touch points path connecting John Goulter Drive with the ideal place for people visiting the area within the airport more seamless Abbeville Estate, the second is a trail that to have lunch and relax.” and more enjoyable for the Chinese goes around the lake, including out to traveller, and they highlight the The art walk will be free for the general a peninsula with purpose-built seating. airport’s dedication to catering for the public to use and is expected to be open in Chinese tourism market. This is a Around 10 different sculptures will have July. win-win for everyone involved.” Airport Times | June 2013 2 Not just a pretty face Airport retains sustainability certification Auckland Airport’s position as a sustainable destination has been proven once again by retaining its silver certification with Earthcheck.

As the global travel and tourism industry’s key benchmarking, certification and environmental management programme, Earthcheck certification puts businesses through a rigorous auditing process each The new-look www.aucklandairport.co.nz The retailers are centre stage, showcasing year, something that ensures they launched last month and the changes are the great tax and duty free shopping are continuously striving for improved more than cosmetic. available. The website also allows performance. The airport’s online manager Ajay Dutta customers to contact retailers directly with says the new website has been created product queries or advance orders. with customer needs in mind. “We know, for The checklist function is particularly exciting. instance, that the majority of people who Visitors can create a list of the important visit our website are looking for arrivals and information, shops and places to eat at departures information, so we’ve made that Auckland Airport, which they can then email easier to find.” to themselves or their friends. The Shop/Eat part of the website has had “Research was telling us that customers are significant changes. Auckland Airport’s not fully aware of what the airport offers. vision was to raise awareness of the airport The website was able to solve this visually as a premier shopping destination, so the in a dynamic, engaging way,” Ajay says. new website prominently displays some of the fantastic brands and artists on offer, “It’s a fun platform that takes more than just For Auckland Airport, that process including Karen Walker, M.A.C, Benefit, a look at the extensive range of offerings we focused on all areas of airport Ecoya and Dick Frizzell. have in international departures.” operations, from carbon emissions to the use of biodegradable chemicals and sustainability adviser Martin Reaching for the top Fryer says he is incredibly pleased Just like the firefighters and ambitious with the rating. corporate employees who headed up the “The Earthcheck Standard is Sky Tower’s 1103 steps on May 10 and 11, continually reviewed and updated so the Stair Climb events themselves continue the bar is raised ever higher. Being to build in leaps and bounds. part of the Earthcheck programme means Auckland Airport will always This year 550 firefighters from 140 brigades be at the leading edge of sustainable and stations, including 11 from Australia and tourism practice, which is why it is the US, climbed the stairs while wearing part of our long-term sustainability 25kg of firefighting kit, raising a record plan.” $486,086. Almost $26,000 of that total was raised by the 24 Auckland Airport firefighters That long-term plan also includes who took part, the most raised by any taking it up a level towards the gold participating crew. and platinum certification.

Two teams of airport staff also stood up to the plate as part of the corporate stair climb the airport’s firefighting team. “Between the challenge the day before. That event raised number of guys running the stairs and the over $116,000, almost double what it raised number helping me with organisation, pretty last year. much everyone was involved. The guys % really got into it.” 59.3 The money goes to Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand, an organisation that As always, Tony says everyone who donated has been dedicated to supporting patients money or time to the effort deserves a big The increase in and their families living with leukaemia, thank you for their help. “Every year people international passenger lymphoma, myeloma and related blood ask what we’re doing and when we tell them, volumes at Queenstown conditions since 1977. they’re very happy to donate.” Airport in April 2013 Auckland Airport firefighter and founder of Josh Harrison from the Otara station broke the Sky Tower Stair Climb, Tony Scott, says his own record by six seconds, getting to the when compared to April there was a massive amount of buy-in from top in eight minutes and 37 seconds. 2012. Airport Times | June 2013 3 New, convenient bus route Airport supports travel media awards The travel media celebrated excellence within their ranks last month at the Cathay Pacific Travel Media Awards.

Organised by Travcom (New Zealand Travel Communicators), the awards celebrated their 20th anniversary this year, handing out awards for writing and photography. Auckland Airport sponsored two of those awards.

Commuters travelling from Onehunga or station and the airport, while maintaining Mangere to Auckland Airport now have a the existing connections with InterCity more convenient alternative to taking their Coachlines and Nakedbus at the Manukau cars – the Airporter bus route. City Centre stops. An extension of the current route that runs The route extension fits under Auckland from Manukau to the airport and back, from Transport’s strategy of increasing the June 9 the Airporter buses will continue number of public transport options through through Mangere town centre and Mangere providing greater connectivity between Bridge, terminating at the Onehunga different services and integrated pricing. transport centre. It will also benefit school and tertiary Running every 30 minutes at peak times students in the area. and hourly in off-peak periods from 5am Look out for the orange buses and head until 8pm every day of the week, the Joshua Windsor flanked by Auckland Airport’s to www.at.co.nz for timetable and fare Bridget Spraggon (left) and Katie Moore (right). extended bus service provides better information. connections between the Onehunga train The first, for best magazine travel story, went to Venetia Sherson for her story entitled Autumn in Tuscany, Welcoming the new neighbour published in NZ Life & Leisure magazine’s January/February 2012 issue.

On the photography side of things, Joshua Windsor was recognised for his stunning image of a rock climber scaling the Babylon Crag in Fiordland that was published in NZ Geographic magazine in November last year. He took home the Auckland Airport award for the best travel image taken in New Zealand. The Landing Precinct has welcomed its Airport Business District by the increasing newest tenant with the arrival of ITW number of new high-quality buildings in the The two winners each take home a Industrial Packaging. area, as well as the close proximity to the $2000 cash prize. airport and its growing range of facilities. The company is one of several diverse local You can see the full list of winners at businesses comprising the New Zealand “We’re very pleased with our decision,” he www.travelcommunicators.co.nz division of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW), a says. Fortune 200 global industrial manufacturer Auckland Airport property manager Joel of value-added consumables and specialty Buckingham welcomed ITW Industrial equipment with related service businesses. Packing to the Business District. ITW has been around for 100 years and employs 60,000 people in 58 countries “ITW Industrial Packaging will be well % around the world. placed in the expanding Landing Precinct, 37.2 joining other warehousing and distribution The brand new facility at 29 Verissimo Drive companies such as CEVA Logistics, Toll has a footprint of just over 5000m2, including Global Forwarding, Spazio Casa and The increase in the 2306m2 of warehouse space, a 235m2 canopy Mercedes Benz. The connectivity to New number of Chinese 2 and 244m of offices, and officially became Zealand’s busiest transport hub, along with visitor arrivals in April the business’ new home in March of this year. the functionality of the new building is the perfect fit for a growing company.” 2013 when compared ITW business accountant Nigel Luck says the company was attracted to the Auckland www.itwindustrialpackaging.com to April 2012. Airport Times | June 2013 4 Beauty on the go Keeping Auckland Airport safe in June The “iPolice” have arrived at Auckland Airport. Or rather your Airport Police now have brand new technology that allows staff to address the unique and complex challenges border policing involves while also fighting conventional crime issues head on.

The new mobile technology means staff have access to real-time information and intelligence while they are in the field, allowing them to be truly proactive.

What began with San Francisco twin sisters features a Benefit Browbar, where brow For example, it gives officers the making a nipple stain for an exotic dancer experts will take customers’ eyebrows from resources to challenge a potential has become a global brand sold at 3000 “now to wow” in a matter of minutes. false identity by comparing makeup counters in 38 countries, a number Other tinting and facial waxing services are photographs of those with criminal that now includes New Zealand. also available. It’s fast, fun, fabulous and tax convictions to the person standing Travellers at Auckland Airport can now buy free. in front of them, check whether a Benefit Cosmetics’ quirky unique and 100 vehicle is stolen or connected to a Benefit’s general manager for Australia and per cent gorgeous products, tax-free, at the crime, or see if someone is missing New Zealand, Justin Fullerton, says the brand’s first Australasian duty free kiosk, from home, vulnerable or wanted. brand has a devoted international following located after security at the international and he’s excited to finally be able to share The list of applications may not be terminal. its quick-fix beauty solutions and fun- endless, but it is long and by taking Plus, for those who feel like a little pampering filled philosophy with “Benebabes” in New on the project New Zealand Police before they board their flight, the store also Zealand. have become world leaders in this sphere of mobile crime fighting.

Speaking of crime, the rate has Chemical company makes the move remained very low at New Zealand’s The Auckland Airport Business District’s busiest airport and during the recent Quad 5 facility will soon be home to the New ever so slightly less hectic period, Zealand subsidiary of the world’s leading police staff have been using the chemical company. opportunity to partake in additional With headquarters in Ludwigshafen, training, both technological and Germany, BASF is a global company with cultural. 380 production sites and more than 110,000 Many of our staff were invited to the employees worldwide. In 2012 the company recent Auckland Airport cultural posted sales of €78.7 billion. awareness training, something that BASF New Zealand’s country manager, is highly relevant as passenger David Robinson, says relocating to the numbers from areas such as Asia Auckland Airport Business District was an Auckland Airport’s general manager continue to climb. easy decision. property, Peter Alexander, says the multi- Don’t forget, there are many ways faceted benefits on offer at the airport are “Being on the doorstep of the largest to contact your Police – by phone attracting a rapidly growing number of transport hub in the country is going (09 275 9046), email, Facebook – international and local businesses. to provide some very real benefits to all of which are now accessible to our customers in terms of national and On top of the connectivity provided by being staff both in and out of the station. international connectivity,” he says. “As well located so close to Auckland Airport, he However, if you want to do as this, we were impressed by the Quad 5 says businesses are also impressed with the something very unusual in this building and the scale of amenities available extensive range of amenities and high levels technology-charged world, you could to our employees.” of security on offer. always write us a letter – we’d love BASF is not alone in that reasoning. www.agro.basf.co.nz to hear from you.

Auckland International Airport Limited PO Box 73020, Auckland Airport, Manukau 2150, New Zealand Phone: +64 9 275 0789 or 0800 247 767 (calls within New Zealand only) [email protected] Top 10 Airport 2011 2010 2009 www.aucklandairport.co.nz