170-4518 May A-Times #85 Ƒ.Indd
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Airport Times Keeping the Auckland Airport community informed | Issue 85 May 2009 | ISSN1176-9432 Ready for take-off Inside this issue: • The airport launches its flightpath for growth • Find out how to have a quality holiday experience • Aussie crocs retire to spot planes • We go behind the scenes of in-flight catering needs of premium and low-cost airlines differ, just as Airport maps do the needs of, say business and leisure travellers. The growth strategy will also focus out flightpath for on improvements to the airport’s retail offering to bring it up to world- future growth class standards. A stronger focus on the varying needs of “There is great opportunity in this area and the focus customers and a commitment to pursue growth will be on improving the retail experience, making the opportunities despite the economic downturn most of the two duty free operators and working with are two key themes of Auckland Airport’s new the retailers to drive their revenue and operational five-year business strategy. performance,” says Simon. The strategy, dubbed the “Flightpath for Growth” and unveiled in late March, is the culmination of an extensive review process initiated by chief executive Simon Moutter and his new leadership team. The plan recognises that the world has changed significantly over the past year and the operating environment for the airport is now a lot tougher than it has been for many years. “We can no longer rely on relentless increases in passenger volumes to drive the growth we’ve enjoyed over the previous decade. Now, passenger numbers are falling, our airline partners are hurting and we are sharing More resources will be applied to route development, that pain along with everyone else in the travel and tourism tourism promotion and air cargo services as well. industries,” comments Simon. “We want to increase our involvement in tourism and “The previous management team did a fantastic job at become a more effective partner with airlines as they improving the capacity and quality of the airport’s facilities seek to grow their businesses.” and we can now easily handle likely growth for the next In addition, the investment property division will be few years.” revitalised as the airport seeks to ramp up deals and focus on greater development activity. Property development “Our efforts must now be on making will aim to improve the vibrancy of the entire airport the best use of today’s airport assets, community, benefitting the almost 900 businesses and for the benefit of all our stakeholders.” 12,000 people who work within the airport grounds. Across all parts of the business there will be a focus Simon says Auckland Airport will continue to push for on strengthening commercial relationships with airlines growth despite the difficult business climate. Short and business partners. “Like any good business, we term, the emphasis will be on improving the core airport recognise that success must be a two-way street and we business, keeping a firm lid on operating and capital need to have ‘win-win’ partnerships with our customers,” spending, and doing the necessary planning for growth comments Simon. investments so the airport is ready to push the button on those investments at the early signs of a business upturn. As part of the growth strategy, the company will also be investigating business opportunities beyond the airport’s As part of the core business improvements, Auckland boundaries, but Simon stresses the primary business Airport will be looking at streamlining processes for focus will very much remain on Auckland Airport itself. passengers and aircraft movements, and providing more segmented customer services – recognising that the Fasten your seatbelts and watch this growth strategy take off. Right: The airport has a 5-year ‘map’ to help navigate its growth strategy. 02 Airport Times Far left: A bungy jumping mannequin The Qualmark – making an welcomes travellers Crocodiles at the airport’s international terminal attraction more attractive retire to and displays the Qualmark message. After long hours at work, battling businesses. We license professional traffic and juggling kids you’re and trustworthy New Zealand tourism the airport ready to unwind, relax and take businesses to use the Qualmark logo An Air Force Hercules a break. But how can you ensure to help travellers select places to stay, flew into Auckland last that you are going to get the things to do and ways to get around.” month with some interesting best-quality experience while passengers on board. on holiday? Last month, Tourism New Zealand launched its 100% Pure Assurance The two Aussie males, Scar Look out for the Qualmark logo advertising campaign to help spread and Goldie, were almost five when choosing a place to stay, the word about the Qualmark quality metres long and weighed over a transport operator or booking assurance programme. half a tonne each! an activity and there will be nothing The campaign demonstrates The enormous salt-water to worry about, says Qualmark crocodile, both in their 40s, have Qualmark’s close alignment to the chief executive Geoff Penrose. emigrated from Australia and are award-winning 100% Pure New retiring to a purpose-built home at “Qualmark is the official quality Zealand brand and helps define Butterfly Creek, Auckland Airport. agency for New Zealand tourism New Zealand as a quality destination. For more information visit With the tagline ‘100% www.butterflycreek.co.nz Pure Assurance’, the Left: These advertising has a feisty beasts are the largest, clear message: choose most dangerous predators in Qualmark and make New Zealand and you can sure your holiday is the only see them at best it can be. Butterfly Creek. “We have worked hard to make sure we have the assessment systems in place, including annual on-site assessments, to assure a quality visitor experience,” says Geoff. “By making travellers – international and domestic – more aware of Qualmark we can help them plan their holidays to ensure they have Surfing the best experience end to end, then go home and tell their friends at the how fantastic it was.” domestic terminal A more formal gathering of travel agents Domestic travellers can Jetstar and industry members was held a day soon ‘hang 10’ without the earlier to christen the services where need for a wetsuit as surfing launches in Jetstar CEO Bruce Buchanan invited the web takes off with free guests for a tour on board one of the internet access! airline’s A320. to Auckland Four kiosks dotted throughout Auckland Airport’s airport emergency the domestic terminal will go Jetstar made its mark last services team also saluted the online this month: at the regional month when it celebrated the occasion by giving the new aircraft airlines’ end of the terminal, near launch of two trans-Tasman a traditional water-arch welcome the Air New Zealand baggage services in to Auckland. when the aircraft first touched down carousels, at the Qantas/Pacific in Auckland. The low-cost airline has launched Blue check-in, and in the Qantas daily services to and from Sydney It’s a busy time for the new airline, departure area. and the Gold Coast for the as Jetstar also begins domestic budget-conscious traveller. flights within New Zealand in June. Left: Internet kiosks Bleary-eyed travellers checking-in will have three for the early-morning Sydney flight computer terminals, were greeted by a giant bouncing giving travellers and visitors the chance kangaroo and cuddly koala in the to book a bungy check-in area, and were presented jump in Queenstown with special Jetstar gift bags when or a flight to their they boarded the flight. next exotic location, or just send an email home. Airport Times 03 Right: A real work-out – 1,103 steps in 22kg of full firefighting combat An uphill battle – stair climbing kit – all for charity. It’s one of the most gruelling Each competitor wears 22kgs of The quickest time to the sports known to mankind. It’s a full firefighting combat kit. This might total body workout and you burn seem a heavy load to carry but top will be around 11 twice as many calories than any nothing compared to the load that minutes; an average time other activity. families must carry when a member is 15 minutes. Later this month, almost 300 is battling leukaemia. firefighters will race up the 1,103 Leukaemia is the fourth most “Firefighters are in the business of steps of Auckland’s Sky Tower common cancer in New Zealand with helping people,” says event organiser and the reward is more than the six people diagnosed a day. The LBF and airport emergency services officer calorie burning and awesome hope to raise over $100,000 to help Tony Scott. “This is just another way view at the top. provide resources and information for for them to do it.” The gruelling leg-burning stair patients, family members and friends Auckland Airport is a key sponsor climb is a charity fundraiser for the affected by the disease. of this event, come along and support New Zealand Leukaemia & Blood A team from the airport’s the team. Foundation (LBF) and the people emergency services (AES) will When: 9am, Saturday 23 May 2009. suffering with this illness are facing be competing in the challenge. Where: Auckland Sky Tower. their own uphill battle. Right: Funny man Dai Henwood’s in Auckland and Wellington in a • Dai Henwood is Shabba: shows have been a sell out for the last What’s on variety of venues. Having won every award there is in New Zealand comedy, Dai gives two years. Shows will appeal to every sense of you an hour of awesome stand-up in Auckland? humour.