The construction will be staged over two phases. The Milson Line end is estimated to be complete in January 2027, at which time the Railway Road end will begin construction. The terminal is expected to fully open in November 2027.

No – we will remain operational throughout the construction period. To make this happen, we are constructing the terminal in two phases. In phase one all check-in and arrivals will be located in a temporary terminal established in the eastern end (Railway Road end) of the existing terminal.

There are three key drivers creating the need to invest in a refurbished or new terminal. These include seismic resilience, an ability to accommodate future growth in passenger volumes and the introduction of passenger and hold bag screening if required.

A refurbishment of the present terminal was evaluated but ruled out due to the cost and residual seismic concerns. A new terminal will improve the experience for all customers, providing more efficient and modern airport infrastructure, and ensure our city and region have an air gateway that is appropriate and resilient.

The terminal design has been optimised for the anticipated growth in domestic passenger volumes and the possibility that passenger and hold bag screening may be required at regional airports like ours.  

Due to the modular design of the terminal, an expansion pathway is available should passenger growth exceed projections.  

International services would require additional terminal space to accommodate the various agencies necessary to facilitate international passenger movements. Although not presently on the radar, theoretically this could be accommodated during a future expansion phase. 

The new terminal will be constructed in the same location as the current terminal to maintain the connection to aircraft stands and carparks.

The proposed terminal will be approximately 110 metres long by 38 metres deep and will provide a gross floor area of approximately 5,000m2.

The terminal will have three functional areas, all located on the ground floor with the exception of the Air New Zealand Regional Lounge. The western end (Milson Line end) will accommodate space for baggage to aircraft transfer, airline offices, a cargo acceptance area, and hold bag screening if required.

The double-height central portion of the terminal will include airline check-in, departure lounge areas, the café, retail, public seating, toilets, a meeting room, the Regional Lounge and Palmerston North Airport terminal operations offices. The eastern wing (Railway Road end) of the terminal will accommodate arriving passengers, baggage reclaim and rental car operators.

An airside corridor will extend the full length of the terminal, providing weather protection for embarking and disembarking passengers.

A refurbishment of the present terminal was evaluated but ruled out due to the cost, extent of disruption to airport operations and residual seismic concerns.

A new terminal will improve the experience for all customers, providing more efficient and modern airport infrastructure. This ensures our city and region have an air gateway that is appropriate and resilient.

The experts have told us that the best place to build the new terminal is where the current terminal stands. In addition a relocation would mean potentially longer walks to the existing aircraft apron.

To address the possibility of disruption to operations, the terminal will be dismantled in stages and we will be creating a temporary terminal in the areas where construction is not underway.

We have appointed Colliers | Greenstone Group to project manage our TDP (Terminal Development Plan), in conjunction with senior members of the airport team. We’re pleased to have LT McGuinness as our main contractor.

LT McGuinness has delivered some of Manawatū’s most significant builds over the past five years, including the Police Station, Massey University’s iconic Refectory, and the hospital’s Mental Health Unit. They also share our values on ensuring local suppliers and subcontractors have opportunities to be part of this important work. This project will involve more than 20 subcontractors from our city and wider region, as well as up to 18 locally-based LT McGuinness employees over the next two years.

Temporary changes to traffic flows are anticipated at certain stages of construction. We will work to minimise disruptions and provide clear signage and updates to assist drivers.

At this stage of the project, with enabling works and dismantling of the terminal, there is no night-time construction planned.

We don’t take the impact on the environment lightly. That’s why we’re working closely with our demolition partners to recycle and repurpose as much of the building material as possible.

• Ceiling tiles and gib are being turned into compost and fertiliser.

• Concrete is crushed, screened, and reused as aggregate for roads and other infrastructure projects.

• Treated and untreated timber is being repurposed as biofuel.

• Metals are melted down and recycled for new use.

We are estimating close to 80% of waste will be diverted from landfill. 

There have been a few changes to our parking systems. The new licence plate recognition ticketless entry system has gone live.