Auckland Airport's boss says exploring options for a trans-Tasman bubble is critical.

Jacinda Ardern and Scott Morrison have confirmed Australia and New Zealand are committed to introducing a trans-Tasman travel zone as soon as it is safe to do so.

Airport chief executive Adrian Littlewood says it's up to officials to estimate when it could be introduced.

But he told Heather du Plessis-Allan more people are recognising the economic impact of closed borders and a lack of tourism due to Covid-19.

Littlewood says we have to ensure economic impacts can be tackled as well as the virus.

"Seeking to get that safely restarted as soon as we practically can. Recognising that we have to not forgive the gains that our country has made is critically important, so we can crush the economic curve as well as the virus curve."