The ‘green line’ walkway between Auckland Airport’s domestic and international terminals is to close while back-of-house buildings and services are relocated.

According to the New Zealand airport, passengers often choose to walk between the two terminals by following the green line painted on the footpath – enjoying the opportunity to stretch their legs and get some fresh air between flights.

With a number of construction projects about to start in the area, however, walking will not be possible as no safe pedestrian routes will be available. Instead, from March 28 until later this year, visitors will be asked to use the green, inter-terminal bus to travel between the domestic and international terminals.

For Auckland Airport general manager operations Anna Cassels-Brown, it may be a simple, painted line, but the green line walkway has become a familiar feature of travel at Auckland Airport.

“Love it or hate it, we wouldn’t be Auckland Airport without our green line,” said Cassels-Brown.

“For those who enjoy the stroll between domestic and international flights, it will only be gone for a matter of months. While it’s unavailable, our inter-terminal free bus is a quick and comfortable alternative.

“We look forward to welcoming the green line walkway back later in the year with a brand new route and a new canopy to provide improved shade and shelter for those who choose to walk between the terminals.”

The airport’s inter-terminal free bus currently operates every 15 minutes (ten minutes during school holidays) from 5am to 11pm daily, although there is flexibility to increase the frequency of the service.

Cassels-Brown explained that while the airport is quieter, work will start on demolishing and relocating buildings to the eastern end of the international terminal, enabling future changes to terminal infrastructure. Works include: a new Checkpoint Charlie (a mechanical gate that controls entry into the airside part of the facility); a new transitional waste facility and effluent waste facility; and relocation of the livestock yard and office as well as construction of a new single-span shed. The airport will also divert existing utilities, develop new underground services and construct a new pavement.

 

Image: Douglas Bagg/ Unsplash