The opening of Mānawa Bay, a new outlet mall near Auckland Airport, has led to severe traffic congestion, frustrating airlines and causing delays for airport staff and passengers. Located less than three kilometres from the airport, the mall has attracted large crowds since its opening, and the resulting traffic bottlenecks are impacting access to the airport. Some flights have been delayed because baggage handlers, crew members, and passengers have been stuck in traffic on their way to the airport.
The Board of Airline Representatives, which represents airlines in New Zealand, has expressed significant concerns about the timing and location of the mall. Cath O’Brien, the board’s executive director, noted that the mall’s busiest periods—Christmas, Easter, and school holidays—are the same times when the airport experiences peak travel. This overlap is exacerbating congestion around the airport, causing major delays. “It’s busy around the airport at the same time that the mall is busy, and that’s creating a lot of traffic problems,” O’Brien said.
Auckland Airport has two main access points from the north and south, both of which are now seeing heavy traffic. O’Brien highlighted that travellers heading to the airport and visitors to the mall are using the same routes, further contributing to congestion. “If you’re coming from the north, you follow the same road toward the airport until making a last-minute left turn to get to the mall,” she explained. Those coming from the south follow a similar path, using the same roads as airport travellers before turning right to reach the mall.

This shared traffic is creating bottlenecks, particularly for airport staff who are frequently stuck in jams while trying to get to work. The delays are not just inconvenient but are also affecting airline operations. O’Brien shared reports of airlines experiencing delays because flight crews were late arriving at the gates, and ground handling staff were delayed in starting their shifts. Additionally, passengers caught in traffic missed their flights and had to be rebooked, further disrupting airline schedules.
While the mall itself is not a direct financial burden on the airlines, O’Brien criticized Auckland Airport’s decision to develop infrastructure to accommodate the commercial venture. She pointed out that airlines had to contribute to the costs of roads that are now congested. “Airlines have had to pay for some of these roads, and now they’re making it harder for us to do business,” she said. O’Brien’s frustration lies in the fact that the airport’s commercial ventures are adding to the congestion, impacting airlines’ ability to operate efficiently.

O’Brien also raised concerns about the regulatory environment that allows Auckland Airport to profit from its commercial ventures while airlines bear the brunt of the infrastructure costs. “The airport can make as much money as it likes from its commercial operations, but the airlines are left paying for the roads that serve those businesses, which is frustrating,” she stated.

Looking ahead, O’Brien anticipates continued traffic congestion during peak holiday periods unless long-term solutions are implemented. One potential solution could be the widening of the Pūkaki Bridge, a key route near the airport, which was originally built through a joint effort between Auckland Airport and the former Manukau City Council. The bridge and surrounding roads are frequently clogged with traffic, and O’Brien suggested that Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi may be under pressure to invest in infrastructure improvements to ease congestion.
An Auckland Airport spokesperson acknowledged the traffic issues caused by Mānawa Bay’s opening but expressed confidence that they would improve in the coming weeks. The airport had anticipated higher traffic volumes and deployed a specialist traffic management team to manage the situation. “We expected a busy opening weekend and worked hard to communicate with airlines, airport staff, and travellers ahead of time,” the spokesperson said.

Auckland Airport is encouraging travellers to plan, especially during peak periods. While the airport expects congestion to ease in the coming weeks, airlines remain concerned about continued challenges during major holidays. There is growing pressure for improved traffic management solutions to ensure smoother access to Auckland Airport. -TIN Bureau