Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Auckland Airport has reassured travellers it is prepared for the busy holiday season after a check-in system breakdown caused major disruption last week.
A communication switch of one of the airport's fibre network providers broke, delaying 18 international departures on 11 December.
There had also been 23 system outages in the airport's baggage system in recent weeks while undergoing upgrades.
The airport's chief operations officer Chloe Surridge said last week's external network outage was beyond its control.
"We thank travellers for their patience last week as this issue was resolved.
"Our focus for the festive season remains helping travellers to get where they need to be and doing all we can to ensure people have smooth journeys."
Surridge said airport staff were equipped for an influx of summer travellers, with 1.8 million people expected to move through the airport's terminals from 9 December to 12 January.
This included 800,000 domestic travellers.
"We have Auckland Airport team members on hand to support travellers and all airlines, border agencies, and aviation security are ready for summer travel, so people should please ask for help if they need it."
She said the drop off and pic -up areas in the airport's Transport Hub would be particularly busy in the coming weeks and a three-minute dwell time for vehicles would be enforced.
"Travel can be stressful during the during the busy holiday season.
"We ask that customers are kind to our airport staff, who are on hand to help them get where they need to be and to please bring their patience if they're travelling over summer."
She said 26,000 tonnes of goods would also be coming in and out of the country during the Christmas and New Year period.
December was a peak time for New Zealand produce, including salmon, snapper, lamb, cherries and honey, to be going overseas, she said.
"The lead up to Christmas sees some pretty essential air cargo coming and going - most of it in the bellyhold of passenger aircraft.
"Fast and frequent air connections are essential for getting high quality, fresh New Zealand products to global markets in peak condition."
"There will be a lot of Christmas gifts winging their way to and from New Zealand with aviation connections from Auckland Airport to 22 countries and beyond making sure they are under the tree in time for Christmas.
Auckland Airport's expected busiest days over summer:
- Busiest days for international departures: Sunday 22 December, Sunday 5 January, Friday 3 January.
- Busiest days for international arrivals: Sunday 22 December, Sunday 5 January, Friday 24 January.
- Busiest days for domestic departures: Friday 20 December, Thursday 12 December, Friday 13 December.
- Busiest days for domestic arrivals: Thursday 12 December, Friday 27 December, Friday 13 December.
