Contingent runway

Preliminary work is already well underway at Auckland Airport in preparation for the largest programme of pavement upgrades to take place on the runway in 20 years – planned maintenance that is essential to the future resilience and safety of the airfield.

By about 2030 Auckland Airport needs to replace concrete slabs across the main areas of the runway and nearby taxiways - upgrades that are standard practice in concrete runway airports around the world and, for Auckland Airport, with a single runway operation, these works can only be carried out with a full closure of the runway.

Although the work is about five years away, a suite of projects is underway across the airfield to prepare for the runway closure, with the airport team progressively upgrading an alternative runway and widening a nearby taxiway.

As one of New Zealand’s most important infrastructure assets, the airfield at Auckland Airport has a primary taxiway (Taxiway Alpha) that is being designated to operate as an alternative runway (contingent runway) that can be used in the event the main runway is closed.

Preparations include adding new lighting to the contingent runway and shifting an existing taxiway (Taxiway Bravo) 14.5 metres to the north.

Another essential precursor for the runway closure is the construction of the new domestic jet terminal in 2029, providing a new home for jet aircraft operations away from the present domestic terminal while the contingent runway is in use.

The types of aircraft using the airport have changed since the last time a contingent runway was used in 2006 and 2007.

Today’s larger aircraft, with wider wingspans, require a different layout and more clearance. As a result, jet aircraft will not be able to park or operate from the southern side of the present domestic terminal during this period, because their tails would be too close to aircraft moving along the taxiway.

Once the new domestic jet terminal is open and in use, the airport can activate the contingent runway and realigned Taxiway Bravo. This will allow upgrades to the main runway to take place without disrupting airport operations.