It still has the new container smell – and flyers might hope it keeps that fresh fragrance for a while.

Auckland Airport’s new temporary Zone T check-in is a stepping stone for the eventual integration of domestic and international jet flights.

Zone T officially opens this Thursday after a soft launch and some trials, including a test for four flights this week.

It should be able to process passengers for up to four widebody flights simultaneously.

The airport is hoping passengers help the changes go smoothly by getting to the right place as soon as they reach the airport.

Auckland Airport said it was making zone check-in information available on its website up to 24 hours ahead of departure.

It was also installing more flight information boards, some up to 6m wide and weighing more than 500kg, for people to check ahead of reaching the terminal.

Zone T will be used at busy times, and it’s expected it will be especially busy next summer, when 16,000 people or more could be checking into international flights every day.

But it can still be used in the meantime.

The new temporary check-in pavilion at Auckland Airport. Photo / Auckland Airport

The airport check-in area had five zones, named A to E.

As the terminal integration work happened, each zone would be closed one at a time, with automated bag drops replacing traditional counters.

From the end of this month, Zone C, currently used by up to eight flights a day, will go behind hoardings.

Because that kind of work impacted capacity, the temporary Zone T was opened in a new converted container.

You might say no aesthetically charming buildings were harmed in the construction of Zone T.

It was previously a construction site and before that, a part of the terminal road.

The pavilion arrived at the airport in prefabricated components, which were bolted together on the 1100sq m site.

For about five months, construction crews at Zone C will upgrade check-in and replace 22 traditional desks with self-service kiosks and automatic bag drops.

The broader integrated terminal is expected to be finished in 2029, and work on Zone T started in November last year.

Marianita Willis, Auckland Airport head of operations transformation and programmes, said the integrated structure would bring domestic and international travellers into the same building for the first time since the 1970s.

Auckland Airport chief operating officer Chloe Surridge said construction would become more visible to travellers this week.

“With all the changes happening, it will be important for travellers to know which zone they are heading to for check-in.”

Zone T is expected to operate for about two and a half years.

Hawkins is constructing the new domestic jet terminal, which would be an indoor walk away from international.

Southbase Construction won the contract to deliver the new integrated terminal’s check-in area.

Auckland Airport major projects

• Temporary check-in pavilion next to international terminal, opening on March 26.
• Integrated domestic terminal combining domestic jet travellers with international travellers, due to open in 2028-29.
• Coupled wetland biofilter and giant pond for stormwater resilience. Opened in 2025.
• Biggest-ever airfield expansion: $465 million for parking up to 11 jets and new jet fuel connections. Opened in September 2025.
• Regional airfield expansion: $147m for four new aircraft stands, for both turboprops and bigger jets, due to open in 2028.
• Runway rejig: Taxiway Alpha will be made to operate as an alternative or contingent runway useable when the main runway gets closed, ahead of projected runway slab replacements in about 2030.

John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation and courts. He previously covered consumer affairs, crime, politics and courts.