Wellington International Airport is planning a $62 million extension which it hopes will increase the amount terminal visitors spend in retail outlets.
The terminal extension - part of a $250 million capital investment plan which includes building a hotel - will increase the terminal's size from 2000 square metres to 3600 square metres.
Airport chief executive Steve Sanderson said both the investment and reconfiguring the existing space should help encourage more spending.
"With that extra space and opening it up, what that allows us to do is increase the retail offerings, so that will be both food and beverage and more speciality stores," Mr Sanderson said.
"So the opportunity for our customers to experience a better time in the airport."
In 2007, the average per-passenger spend at the airport, including on car parks, was $4.10. By 2013, that had increased 52 percent to $6.22.
The terminal extension was expected to start in August and take about a year to complete.
Wellington International Airport. Photo: WIAL