Watch: First look at the new Hawke’s Bay Airport terminal
Hawke’s Bay Airport has released design concepts that provide a sneak peek of what the $20.2 million airport will look like once completed towards the end of next year.
Hawke’s Bay Airport chief executive Stuart Ainslie said the visual animation provides a walk-through experience starting from the redeveloped car park and new forecourt entranceway to checking in, enjoying the centralised retail and hospitality precinct and the arrivals hall.
“The animated visuals gives you as close to the real experience as you can get and gives a great perspective of the size and scale of the expansion project as well as a feel for the cultural design inputs that will tell a story of Hawke’s Bay.”
The 4340m2 airport terminal will be 74 percent larger than the previous terminal. Stage 3, the centralised retail and hospitality area, commenced construction this week, in the existing airport footprint.
Mr Ainslie said stage 1 and 2 were new builds at either side of the central area, while construction of Stage 3 will be a bit more complex.
“We’ve completed the operational aspects of the terminal, where people check in for departure and collect bags on arrival, but this next stage is the wow, it’s where we get to create the heart of the terminal,” he said.
“The first two stages were new-builds, while the last stage will be in the existing centre of the building and will include an expanded retail offering including a new Café Wine bar and a specialist retailer merchandising travel essentials and iconic local products.”
The final stage will also incorporate new bathrooms and an impressive new Air New Zealand regional lounge.
“We want to keep the airport operating on a business as usual basis but there will be some noticeable changes over the next year and there will be some temporary facilities situated around the airport,” Mr Ainslie said.
The existing café and bathrooms will remain open, but additional temporary bathrooms will be placed near the arrivals area.
The program will require the Air New Zealand regional lounge to be temporarily located downstairs from early next year while works are completed to significantly expand and completely refurbish its current upstairs location.
