Wellington named the best large airport in NZ during the annual NZ Airports Awards
Recently, the annual New Zealand Airport Awards were handed out in Hamilton, celebrating the best large and small aviation hubs in the country.
Two Qantas aircraft at Wellington International Airport | Photo by: Noah Stohr-Waldren
During the awards, Wellington Airport topped the list as NZ’s best large airport.
The judges said Wellington airport “has entrenched itself as a network champion for innovation and agility”. Wellington also won the Large Airport Environmental Sustainability category jointly with Marlborough for hosting the country’s first all-electric aircraft trial and Large Airport Community Engagement for the Community Regional Awards.
Wellington Airport Chief Executive Matt Clarke said it was “very cool” to get the recognition, “given the awards were decided by an independent panel of industry experts who know their stuff”.
“This year we’ve had some big sustainability wins including a trial of hydrogen, receiving our first shipment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, and winning the right to co-host New Zealand’s first all-electric aircraft service.”
The top medium airport award winner, Hamilton Airport | Photo by: Hamilton Airport
Kirikiriroa, Hamilton was named the best medium airport, and North Shore Airport won the small airport category.
NZ Airports Chief Executive Billie Moore said all three big winners are “fantastic examples of airports as community-focused regional infrastructure”.
“Hamilton Airport’s return to international services is just one project that shows its team’s dedication to delivering for the Waikato region. Its comprehensive sustainability strategy, and work on commercial expansion through Titanium Park, also stood out to the judges this year.”
“North Shore Airport is setting the standard for community engagement, and its work on the Auckland International Pilot Academy shows its commitment to fostering the next generation of pilots,” said Moore.
North Shore Airport during the open day early this year which won Small Airport Community Engagement | Photo by: Noah Stohr-Waldren
The remaining NZ Airports 2024 Award winners are as follows:
Large Airport of the Year – Wellington International Airport
Medium Airport of the Year – Hamilton Airport
Small Airport of the Year – North Shore Airport
Large Airport Infrastructure – Auckland International Airport Transport Hub
Medium Airport Infrastructure – Hawke’s Bay Airport: Apron Reseal
Small Airport Infrastructure – Whanganui Airport & Fulton Hogan: Runway Resurfacing
Large Airport Commercial and Non-Aeronautical – Christchurch International Airport for the Dakota Park freight and logistics precinct
Medium Airport Commercial and Non-Aeronautical – Invercargill Airport for the management of Milford Airport
Small Airport Commercial and Non-Aeronautical – North Shore Airport for the Auckland International Pilot Academy and Auckland Pilot Training
Large Airport Environmental Sustainability – Wellington International Airport and Marlborough Airport for hosting New Zealand’s first all-electric aircraft trial
Medium Airport Environmental Sustainability – Hamilton Airport: solar farm and sustainability strategies
Special Recognition for Sector Leadership in Sustainability – Air New Zealand for the Mission Next Gen programme
Large Airport Community Engagement – Wellington International Airport for the Community Regional Awards
Medium Airport Community Engagement – Rotorua Airport for the Matariki Dinner
Small Airport Community Engagement – North Shore Airport: Airport Open Day
Emerging Leader of the Year – Julie Southall, Commercial and Projects Manager at Rotorua Airport
