During the 1970s, Auckland International Airport experienced a significant increase in passenger and cargo traffic, leading to the construction of a new international terminal in 1977. The airport served as a hub for several major airlines, including Air New Zealand and Qantas, and offered direct flights to destinations such as Los Angeles, Honolulu, Sydney, and Hong Kong. The airport also saw the introduction of new aircraft types, such as the Boeing 747 and the McDonnell Douglas DC10. However, despite these developments, the airport faced challenges with limited runway capacity and outdated facilities, which would ultimately be addressed in later decades through expansion projects and modernization efforts