Project manager for the $20 million airport upgrade Andrew Tuma said new stairs and a lift would soon follow and all work should be done by November.

Mr Tuma said the new security area had the same layout as the former space so the equipment could be re-used but where passengers queue had been realigned.

He said this meant passengers did not spill into walking areas and had a better view of what was happening so would be more familiar with procedures when reaching the top of the queue.

Mr Tuma said the steps and lift opening next month would improve passenger flow.

This would mean the external concrete wheelchair ramps would be redundant and demolished, plus the stairs now used for departing passengers would become the arrivals stairs.

He said most of the new public waiting area, including the new cafe and seats, would open next week.

Airport operations manager Stephen Douglas said the redevelopment had been a complex project, especially because the airport remained open, but "we have worked around that very nicely".