Runway safety area at Sydney opened

The 90x90m RESA at the western end of the runway.

Operations from Sydney Airport’s east-west runway will be fully restored from April 1 after the completion of work on its Runway End Safety Area (RESA).

The RESA is a 90x90m cleared paved area at the western end of the runway and is designed to support the weight of a fully laden Airbus A380 as well as emergency and rescue vehicles in the event of an aircraft runway overrun. The area is the last of six to be built at Sydney Airport, and brings it into line with ICAO safety standards.

The project cost approximately $100 million, and was approved by the federal government in August 2008 with 22 conditions. Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the airport has complied with all the requirements, including informing the community about the impact the construction would have on aircraft operations and noise.