Travellers warned to expect delays around Auckland Airport as new outlet centre opens

Travellers heading to Auckland Airport this weekend should allow extra travel time as the opening of a new outlet centre creates delays.

Mānawa Bay, a premium outlet shopping centre next to the airport, opened on Thursday.

An Auckland Airport spokesperson said temporary road changes were in place to prioritise traffic heading to and from the terminals.

Jimmy Ward Crescent would be temporarily closed to through traffic, and Nixon Road would be closed to southbound traffic.

"For travellers heading to the airport this weekend, we suggest allowing extra time to get here. There's lots of change happening around the precinct, including some temporary changes to some of the roads on the network," the spokesperson said.

"These changes are in place to prioritise traffic heading to and from the terminals, with the opening of premium outlet centre Mānawa Bay yesterday."

Motorists should avoid using the airport as a bypass route, as it could be busier than usual, the spokesperson said.

People should prioritise using public transport, and could take the airport link bus from Puhinui Station or the Skydrive bus direct from the city centre, they said.

According to the Mānawa Bay website, the nearest bus stop is a 10-minute walk to the centre.

It said there would be extra park-and-ride car parks available for shoppers, with free buses running between the parks and the centre every 10-15 minutes.