Auckland Airport will expand by more than 250,000 square metres as part of a huge new infrastructure build.

The airport announced on Tuesday it will convert land by the international terminal into a new airfield over the next three years.

It will allow for another taxiway, an extension of an existing taxiway and six new remote stands for the parking and servicing of aircraft.

The new taxiways will eventually link the planned second runway to the current one.

Huge passenger planes with wingspans of between 65 and 80 metres will be able to use the new airfield.

"Auckland Airport is working hard to grow New Zealand's success in travel, trade and tourism, and this project is a critical piece of the puzzle in enabling our future masterplan," said Auckland Airport general manager airport development and delivery André Lovatt.

"The remote stands are designed to give us some head room, so that one day they can become physically connected gates to the terminal, as growth in airline and passenger numbers demands it over time."

Earthworks on the new field will begin in mid-2019 and are expected to be completed by late 2021.

The development is one of eight major projects for the airport, which includes a second runway, new cargo facility, new international arrivals area, rejuvenated domestic terminal and a new domestic jet terminal.

Newshub.