Faster check-ins at Auckland Airport begin today in tech upgrade

The new auto bag drop at Auckland International Airport. Photo / Greg Bowker
Passengers heading to their international flight at Auckland Airport will see changes in the check-in section starting today.
Within the next few years, around 100 existing check-in counters will be phased out and replaced by self-service kiosks. Automated bag drops will also be added.
The airport said that the changes will mean a shorter, more efficient process for travellers, who can expect to save up to 13 minutes by using the new technology for check-in when compared to optimal standards set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IATA suggests that the optimal queue time for an economy passenger is 10-20 minutes. Using a self-service kiosk and bag drop, the airport said the optimum queue time is between 1-2 minutes for a kiosk printing boarding passes and bag tags and 1-5 minutes at a bag drop.
Auckland Airport chief customer officer Scott Tasker said: “If we look at international best practice, travellers can save up to 13 minutes across the check-in process – that’s all the steps needed to get you checked in and your bags dropped off – with wait times for the self-check options typically no more than five minutes. That’s far quicker than you’d generally experience at a traditional check-in desk.”
“The process will be faster, but if you need to take a bit more time or require some assistance, you don’t feel the pressure of a line of people waiting behind you,” he added.
The new tech will be available to all international travellers regardless of which airline they are flying with, meaning multiple airlines can simultaneously check-in from the same kiosk.
The first lot of upgraded kiosks and bag drops will be ready this summer and although the new process encourages self-service, staff will be on hand to assist.
The changes are part of the airport’s infrastructure investment programme, which includes a new $3.9 billion domestic jet terminal that will be combined with the international terminal.
“As New Zealand’s main gateway, our airport needs to be fit for the future of travel, delivering the uplift in experience travellers are asking for. It will also be the future home of check-in for domestic jet travellers, when they shift across to the new terminal.
“We’ve been operating with a mix of kiosks and check-in desks for many years at both the international and domestic terminal. When the new domestic jet hub opens at the end of the decade, regardless of whether you’re flying to Wellington or Doha you’ll be using a kiosk and bag drop,” said Tasker.
A finish date has not yet been set on the project, though the 2028-29 financial year is projected for the opening at this stage. The airport said it will be able to provide more concrete dates at a later date, with work beginning on the project soon.
Last week Auckland Airport unveiled a new location for international pick-ups. Taxi, rideshare and Super Shuttle services now operate right next to the international terminal, shaving around five minutes of walking time compared to the previous location of the pick-up zone, which was positioned temporarily to accommodate ongoing construction work.