What’s happening?
The airport is creating a new two lane ramp for passengers and taxis at the front of the terminal to make it quicker and safer to drop off passengers. At peak times, congestion on the airport roads is delaying passengers. This causes stress and anxiety with some with some people missing flights as a direct result. We are going to ease congestion by reducing the high level of non-airport traffic using the airport, to make it easier for passengers to access the terminal.

How will this reduce the amount of through traffic?
To discourage through traffic, barrier arms are being installed on Stewart Duff Drive, part of which will also be merged with the car park as a slow zone, making it less attractive as a through road.

Is this about parking charges?
The changes are designed to ease congestion. Once the new system is in place, people will find dropping off passengers at the airport will be easier. Those concerned about the 5-minute grace period will find that in practice there is plenty of time to drop off passengers without incurring a parking charge. A system will be put in place to ensure people with assisted needs will not be charged if they take longer than 5 minutes. The times have been tested and we will monitor it after the changes have been introduced. The changes will help us to effectively manage the flow of passengers and vehicles using the airport today and into the future.

How much longer will it take to drive around the airport?

The changes will add less than one minute to travel time between Miramar and the South Coast and no time difference between the South Coast and Evans Bay. However the benefit for the 25,000 people using the airport every day will be significant.

Why can’t I use Stewart Duff Drive as a through road?
Stewart Duff Drive is not a public road but part of the airport, which pays for its maintenance and upkeep. Because the airport is on a compact site, it needs to make the best use of the available land and Stewart Duff Drive needs to be used for running an efficient airport. The airport already handles the most passengers per square metre of any airport in Australasia, and passenger numbers are expected to double by 2030.