NEW ZEALAND. Christchurch Airport has unveiled plans for a terminal upgrade which will feature 12 new food & beverage venues. They will include several outlets evoking a sense of place and seven concessions from SSP Group, the travel restaurateur’s first foray into the New Zealand market.
The first major upgrade since the terminal opened in 2013, the project will also deliver a remodelled food court, new retail spaces and a large children’s play area.
The work is expected to be completed later this year, in time for the southern hemisphere summer season.
Two of the new eateries, Fush and Tātou (artist’s impression pictured below), will be operated by local entrepreneurs Anton and Jess Matthews and Māia Gooday. Christchurch Airport noted they are known for their work in the community and championing te reo (the Māori language), along with operating popular hospitality experiences.
Anton Mathews said: “There’s probably no better place for us to show manaakitanga [hospitality and generosity] than at the South Island’s gateway. We’re currently recruiting an extra 30 kaimahi [staff] who’ll definitely bring a whole new vibe to the Christchurch Airport whānau [family].”
Christchurch entrepreneurs Shawn Kim and Yong Song, who already own and operate Sushi Platter in the terminal, will deliver three new outlets in the food court.
Kim said: “Hikari will serve ramen and donburi and Mama’s Kitchen will offer mouthwatering Korean street food. A new version of the Sushi Platter will sit right next to them.
“We’re privileged that Christchurch Airport has given us this opportunity to share our cuisine and culture with travellers. We’re incredibly grateful to grow our presence in the airport community.”
SSP will operate seven outlets including bar/restaurant Portal and cafés Fern and Co, Urban Pantry and Discovered (artist’s impressions pictured below).
Christchurch Airport General Manager of Customer and Commercial David Cooper said: “SSP specialise in airport food & beverage offerings and operate in 37 countries. Their goal is to be the best bit of any customer’s journey – we’re lucky to be their first entry into the New Zealand market. We’re grateful for their support which enables us to deliver the first major refresh of the terminal in over ten years.”
Cooper noted digitisation will feature strongly in the F&B project with more self-service kiosks and interactive screens “to help future-proof the airport” and improve efficiency for all visitors to the terminal.
Christchurch Airport Chief Executive Justin Watson commented: “This major project will take a great terminal and make it even greater. It’ll modernise our food & beverage offering with a distinctly Kiwi flavour and provide much-needed entertainment.”
Watson said the terminal upgrade should be completed by December and predicts that visitor numbers will be “even higher than last summer”.
He added: “Qantas, China Southern, Cathay Pacific, Fiji Airways and United Airlines have already confirmed they will all be back flying summer services to the city and they’re growing their capacity. For example, Qantas will have an extra 175,000 seats and China Southern is boosting its capacity by 20,000 seats.
“Last summer season (from November to March) we had 2.7 million passenger movements at Christchurch Airport. We’re on track to top that next summer season and it’s awesome to know the terminal will be refreshed and ready to welcome our visitors with some of our best manaakitanga and offerings yet.” 
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