Auckland Airport airside tour

Knowing I was heading to Auckland in March I thought I would write to Auckland airport to see if I could get a airside tour of their airport. I didn't think it would go anywhere but it wouldn't hurt to give it a go. I was really surprised to get a reply with "we will discuss this and get back to you". Well after a few emails back and forward and sending off some personal information I am excited to say my request was granted. So yesterday at 10.15am I caught up with a gentleman by the name of Justis, together we went down to the airport security office where I signed in and got my TAI card.

We then went across the road to a waiting Auckland Airport van (car 55) and this is where we met our personal tour guide, Ronald.  An ex pilot for Air New Zealand and now working for Auckland Airport as a airside safety office. Ronald was very knowledgeable and extremely accommodating and very patient with me when I asked can we go over there, can you please stop here and so on. During our time together as we drove around the perimeter I was told by Ronald if you drive from one end of the airport to the other end on the permitter road doing 65klms per hour it will you 4 minutes.

Auckland Airport (IATA: AKL, ICAO: NZAA) is the largest airport in New Zealand. The airport is located 21 kilometres (13 miles) south of the Auckland city in the suburb of Māngere and the runway sits on the edge of the Manukau harbour (05 end). The airport has a single runway 05R / 23L and is 7 metres (23 feet) above sea level. I asked Ronald why they have L \ R on the numbers but are a single runway airport, and his response was "the main taxiway Alpha was once an active runway". 

Auckland Airport is both a domestic and international hub for Air New Zealand. It is one of only two airports in New Zealand capable of handling Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 aircraft. (the other being Christchurch airport).  Auckland Airport has a capacity of about 45 flight movements per hour, using a single runway which is fully Cat IIIb capable. In November 2007 work began on a new northern runway, to be built in several stages and to be used mainly by smaller aircraft, freeing up capacity on the main runway. However, the project was put on hold for at least 12 months in October 2009, and deferred for a further few years in August 2010 following consultation with airlines and a review of capacity management options. The expected completion date for the second runway is now 2025. Auckland has 34 airlines calling in on a regular bases, 28 international and 6 domestic.

I am really happy to show you the below photos from the day airside.

UNITED B777-322 N2341U (CN 63271)

JETSTAR DASH 8 Q315 VH-TQM (CN 604)

SAMOA AIRWAYS B737-86N I-NEOS (CN 32733)

AMERICAN B787-9 N834AA (CN 40653)

AIR NEW ZEALAND B787-9 ZK-NZJ (CN 37966)

QATAR B777-2DZ A7-BBG (CN 36101)

KOREAN AIR B777-3B5 HL-8250 (CN 37650)

CHILDRENS DRAWING CONTEST LIVERY

THIS IS US ON FLIGHTRADAR24 CAR 55

AIR NEW ZEALAND ATR 72-600 ZK-MVF (CN 1228)

OPERATED BY MOUNT COOK AIRLINES

AIR NEW ZEALAND B777-319 ZK-OKP (CN 39041)

WAS IN HOBBIT LIVERY

AIR NEW ZEALAND B777-219 ZK-OKD (CN 29401)

AIR NEW ZEALAND A320-232 ZK-OXH (CN 6471)

AIR NEW ZEALAND A320-232 ZK-OXD (CN 5962)

SAMOA AIRWAYS B737-86N I-NEOS (CN 32733)

JETSTAR A320-232 VH-VFL (CN 5489)

SINGAPORE A380-841 9V-SKJ (CN 045)

THAI B787-9 HS-TWA (CN 38777)

AIR NEW ZEALAND DASH 8 Q 300 ZK-NEA (CN 611)

AIR NEW ZEALAND A320-232 ZK-OXE (CN 5993)

AIR NEW ZEALAND B787-9 ZK-NZC (CN 41988)

AIR NEW ZEALAND ATR 72-500 ZK-MCP (CN 630)

OLD AND NEW LIVERIES

AIR NEW ZEALAND DASH 8 Q 311 ZK-NEG (CN 621)

OPERATED BY AIR NELSON

EMIRATES A380-861 A6-EOM (CN 187)

DHL B757-236 VH-TCA (CN 25620)

THE FLYING ORANGUTAN 

AIR CHATHAMS CONVAIR 580 ZK-CIB (CN 327A)

AIR CHATHAMS SAAB 340B ZK-CIZ (CN 340B-357)

PARCEL AIR B737-4Y0 ZK-PAT (CN 24683)

RB AIRCRAFT LEASING GULFSTREAM 650 N829JV (CN 6044)

DEERJET GULFSTREAM G550 B-8132 (CN 5291)

WELLS FARGO BANK BOMBARDIER BD700-1A10 N700GX (CN 9014)

FOKKER F27 MK500 VH-TQN (CN 10680)

I know this is something that doesn't happen everyday and I am so grateful to Auckland airport for giving me this opportunity. I feel very honored and privileged.

This day would not have been possible without the support of all the team at Auckland Airport and I would like to say thank you to Kate for taking my original email and putting it forward for consideration. My sincere thanks also goes to the airport security team for taking the time to clear me, thanks also to Megan for organising the time we had with Ron. Thanks also goes to Justis for organising this whole adventure and for giving up a few hours Saturday morning for me. Last but not least thanks goes to our driver Ronald, you were amazing and made my time out on the field a memberable one.