Auckland Airport has already seen the typical rush of the school holidays before they have even begun, ahead of July.
A week out from the official start of the school holidays, Auckland Airport is already preparing for its busiest international departure day this weekend, as Kiwis head overseas early for winter getaways.
Saturday 27 June is expected to be the top day for international departures, with nearly 15,000 travellers set to fly out of AKL.
Auckland Airport Chief Customer Officer Scott Tasker said travel movements will be more evenly spread across the period, with strong international demand leading the way.
“This year the holiday period lines up across schools and universities as well as the Australian school break, which could be contributing to the early getaways, as families prepare for their winter holidays,” said Tasker.
From 24 June to 19 July 2026, international traveller numbers are set to reach more than 680,000, up 1.5 percent on the same period in 2025 for departures and arrivals. On the other hand, domestic traveller numbers are expected to be slightly softer with around 570,000 travellers coming and going, down 3.5 percent, compared to last year.
“While domestic travel is tracking slightly lighter than last year overall, the final day of the school term will stand out. Around 14,000 travellers are expected to depart the domestic terminal on Friday 3 July, up 2.7 percent on last year’s biggest day in the same holidays, and more than 13,000 arrivals, up three percent on the 2025 winter break.”
Domestic travel will be busiest on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Rather than one standout international arrivals peak period, Auckland Airport is expecting steady weekend demand across the July school holidays this year, with around 30,000 international travellers arriving across each of the three weekends making up the official school holiday period.
“It makes our forward planning especially important, with strong, steady demand across the holiday period, not just on one or two especially busy days,” Tasker said.
“We are asking travellers to allow plenty of time and come prepared. Pack spare batteries and ear buds in your carry on due to the fire risk they pose in the cargo hold and check the Aviation Security rules online for powders, liquids, aerosols and gels for international travel.”
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