Economic enabler

Perth Airport chief executive Kevin Brown told Contrails that by delivering the full economic potential of the airport “the airport will help unlock the full economic potential of WA”.

The $2.5 billion will be spent over the next seven to 10 years, depending on demand.

Brown said the airport’s analysis showed some areas of international passenger service would come under serious strain by 2020 if no expansion was undertaken.

He said that by 2020 there would be insufficient gates for international aircraft, reduced levels of service in departures, and outbound baggage facilities would be under strain.

The airport will now start consultations with airlines to refine the expansion timetable, which it hopes to finalise by early next year.

“We will now work with the airlines to understand exactly what their needs are and those of their customers,” Brown said.

“Their views are vital in this process so we can ensure the airport is ready for future growth.”

First stage is the expansion of the International Terminal (T1), comprising approximately 70,000m2 and providing nine contact aircraft parking positions for widebody aircraft.

There will also be a new baggage screening and make-up system, connected to the existing check-in zones by baggage transport belts and new lounges with potential for direct boarding.

By 2024, the airport plans to consolidate all terminals to the eastern side of the airport with a new Qantas facility in the expanded T1.

Key to the expansion is the construction of a parallel runway on the east side of the airport.

Brown said preliminary design works were almost complete and would be released for public comment early next year.

The airport’s strategy is to have all the design work and approvals completed by late next year.

“We envisage having the runway open by 2027 but that may be brought forward to 2024 if demand increases ahead of forecast,” Brown said.

We envisage having the runway open by 2027 but that may be brought forward to 2024. Kevin  Brown

“The new runway has the potential to deliver significant benefits to the WA economy. The construction of a new runway, parallel to the existing main runway will secure future aviation access.”

The new runway is proposed to be 3,000m long, 45m wide and 2km east of the main runway.

Perth Airport’s forward planning is refreshing.

Not so long ago, at the height of the resources boom, then premier Alan Carpenter described Perth Airport as an embarrassment.

About the same time, the ACCC gave the airport low grades on service levels.

Fast forward to today and the picture is starkly different, with the airport winning awards including Capital City Airport of the Year and Best Airport Staff Service — Asia Pacific.

And it is ahead on benchmark service levels.

Brown sees the airport as pivotal to the economic success of WA.

“It is essential that we are ready for the next boom and that the airport plays a key role as an economic enabler,” he said.

The Perth airport chief does not want to see a repeat of the bottlenecks that typified the airport at the height of the last boom which caught everyone off guard.

He also doesn’t want to see a take it or leave it approach to working with airport partners.

His theme of “we don’t take our customers for granted” is a breath of fresh air.

Brown is also keen to dust off the old image of Perth Airport and WA.

“This is a wonderful State with enormous tourism and business potential,” Brown said.

More direct flights to WA from China and Japan are front and centre of the airport’s focus along with government and tourism bodies.

Brown points out that direct flights are an economic stimulus attracting new traffic and making it easier to import and export cargo.

The airport’s infrastructure plans are measured and responsible and will deliver excellent outcomes for passengers and the state.

It is essential the second parallel runway is built if WA is to reach its full economic potential.

And the new runway will enable Airservices to redesign the airspace to include the latest technology approaches that cut noise.

Combined with much quieter aircraft, such as the A350, 787 and 737MAX, Perth Airport promises to be much quieter.

It is clear that there is a new sense of purpose and responsibility at Perth Airport and that is great news for WA’s economy as well as passengers.