Future proofing

And given the importance of the airport to WA’s economic development it is refreshing to see positive signs that airport wants to be an enabler of growth.

For a number of years in the last decade the airport was labelled as one of the worst in Australia as un-forecast growth caught it – and most of the state’s planners – off guard.

It took five years to catch up and management is now focused on keeping well ahead of demand.

Perth Airport’s chief executive Kevin Brown is refreshingly candid about the problems and challenges.

“We know we’ve come a long way in a short period of time but we’ve barely started and there’s a heck of a lot more to do. But we’re firmly committed to do what is needed.”

And what is needed is to make the airport future-proof – something started by the former chief executive Brad Geatches.

While the average yearly growth at the airport since 1960 is 8.44 per cent – nothing about WA’s economy is average.

There have been great highs of 25 per cent growth and lows of minus 14 per cent making planning a difficult challenge.

On the radar now are a new international pier, a second parallel runway and the move of Qantas to the eastern side of the airport.

All of these projects which are worth $2.50 billion are expected to be completed over the next seven to ten years subject to growth.

And automation will figure proximately in those plans suggests Mr Brown.

“We are really excited about the automation opportunities going forward for this business,” Mr Brown told Contrails.

The airport is currently working with its airline partners to develop the facilities that passengers will expect and will demand in years to come.

“We want to be ahead of the curve in that and automation brings so much opportunity.”

But Mr Brown is not relying on tumbling airfares and FIFO workers to drive traffic.

“If Perth Airport fully realises its potential then this state fully realises its economic worth. Our focus is not just on leisure, it’s business, it’s the whole economic package with all aspects of export which includes education,” said Mr Brown.

“We’ve got fantastic universities that have world-wide credibility in many fields whether it’s in exploration and oil and gas or mining.”

“And that in itself is a fantastic opportunity for further growth of international students in our region. 

“Not only do the students live here but the friends and family come and visit so every student is worth 4 and a half seats a year which helps underpin services.”

Mr Brown sees great potential with tourism.

“If we look at just tourism in itself, it’s one of the five pillars of the Australian economy and it’s growing three times faster than the national economic average.”

“So, it is a really supercharged element for the economy and one that we’re very keen to work on with tourism authorities.”

As part of that tourism push Mr Brown plans to make Perth Airport a global hub.

“We have to make sure this great state fully realises its potential not just for the city but for the broader economy and our focus is on making Perth Airport a worldwide hub,” said Mr Brown.

“Come the 24th of March we will be that gateway into Europe with direct services to London which will be an historic moment.

“We’re really excited to work with Qantas to make that happen but we’re equally as excited about the possibility that India presents.

‘Come the 24th of March we will be that gateway into Europe.’

“India as a tourism market has grown 15 per cent last year and we are seeing more visitors coming to WA and we would see so many more if we have direct flights and that’s certainly something we’re keen to do.”  

China’s tourism potential is massive, says Mr Brown.

“Australia is woefully undercooked when it comes to Chinese tourism and if you overlay that with the percentage that comes to WA and we’re barely off the scale so there’s a heck of a lot of opportunity.”

Certainly, international tourism is a big growth story.

Twenty years ago, there were just 70 international flights a week into Perth and now there are almost 300.

And Mr Brown says in that same timeframe overall passenger numbers have grown from 4.5 million to just under 14 million.

“That’s phenomenal growth but our work is not done because we see a potential for a further 10 million passengers over the next 15 years.

“We need to make sure our facilities are fit for purpose and ahead of the curve and ready for those passengers.

Mr Brown sums up thus: “Our ambition is to be brave and really encompass the future.”