Auckland International Airport (AKL)
Tel: (09) 275 0789.
Website: www.auckland-airport.co.nz  

Auckland International Airport is located 21km (14 miles) south of central Auckland, in the suburb of Mangere. It is one of the two main international gateways to New Zealand - the other being Christchurch, on the South Island. The airport handles, on average, more than 23,000 passengers per day. There are direct flights to several countries including Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, the UK and the USA, as well as a few other countries in Europe. There is one international terminal and are two domestic terminals, run by Air New Zealand and Qantas respectively. The terminals are linked by a regular free shuttle bus service. There is also a short marked footpath between the terminals.

Approximate flight times to Auckland: From London is 24 to 26 hours; from New York is 21 hours; from Los Angeles is 16 hours; from Toronto is 21 hours and from Sydney is 3 hours.

Airport facilities: Facilities include a bank, tourist information centre that stays open for all international arrivals, bureau de change, snack bars, newsagent, duty-free shops, restaurant, courtesy telephones, Internet access terminals, Wi-Fi hotspots (for a charge), left luggage and car hire from Avis, Budget and Hertz, as well as a variety of domestic operators. There are also free showers, although you must pay for the use of a towel.

Business facilities: There is no business centre as such, although the Airport Camera Centre (tel: (09) 256 8660), located on the first floor of the International Terminal and open daily 0700-1900, has photocopying, courier and faxing services as well as a post shop. Two conference rooms, the Marlborough and Blenheim Conference Rooms (tel: (09) 256 8782), situated on the top floor, are available to hire, with full catering facilities available. Space for private meetings can be booked in one of three areas in the Air New Zealand Domestic Terminal - The Club House, The Cabin or The Coachrooms (tel: (09) 256 8936). All international airlines provide VIP lounges.

Transport to the city: Airbus Express (tel: (09) 275 9396; website: www.airbus.co.nz) connects the international and domestic terminals with the Downtown Ferry Terminal and various hotels and hostels, leaving every 20 to 30 minutes (journey time - approximately 1 hour). Tickets are available from the driver. Super Shuttle (tel: (09) 522 5100; website: www.supershuttle.co.nz) operates private shuttle services into the city. Local buses also run to the city centre and other locations; contact Maxx (tel: (09) 366 6400; website: www.maxx.co.nz) for details. A taxi to the city centre will cost approximately NZ$55.