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Adelaide Airport is preparing to open the first phase of its enhanced terminal experience on 26 February 2020.
With the foundation retailers for the new precinct recently announced, the opening of this first stage of the redevelopment is set to give travellers a glimpse into what Adelaide Airport says will “showcase the best of South Australia’s food and wine experiences to the world.”
A revitalised retail mix will focus on enhancing the customer experience at Adelaide Airport, by better connecting those passing through the terminal with the City of Adelaide and the greater South Australian region – renowned globally for its high-quality food and beverage.
To facilitate this experiential transformation, several South Australian retailers will open in the coming weeks. Flagship tenants include Penfolds Wine Bar and Kitchen; which will provide both business and leisure travellers with access to one of South Australia’s best-known vineyards.
Additionally, Precinct Adelaide Kitchen – a new food and beverage offering inspired by Adelaide’s laneway bars – will enhance the airport’s local ambiance, adding to the existing South Australian offering that includes Coopers Alehouse and Icons South Australia.
The South Australian offering will be bolstered by nationally recognised brands such as Boost Juice, Lego Kaboom and Soul Origin, as well as Airport Pharmacy, which are set to open on 26 February.
The opening of the enhanced shopping precinct will add to the airport’s 35 existing retailers – some of which are currently under refurbishment – and is a critical milestone in the major redevelopment of Adelaide Airport – the first such works undertaken at the facility since it opened 15 years ago.
When the works are complete in 2021, Adelaide Airport’s entire retail area will have been refreshed and enhanced, with the larger area offering an 80% increase in space for passenger use and fifty stores – fifteen more than the airport currently offers.
However, the redevelopment work is not limited only to retail changes, with Adelaide Airport Managing Director Mark Young saying that a planned relocation of airline and regulatory offices is scheduled to take place next month, adding:
“This in turn will enable us to commence demolition of Aviation House adjacent to the existing arrivals and departures halls ahead of the next phase of construction.”
Other major structural works will focus on enhancing the international travel experience. Adelaide Airport operates its international concourse on a swing-gate arrangement, with overseas travellers first entering the shared domestic area before ultimately passing through customs prior to their international flight.
With this in mind, the airport is working to create greater space for customs as well as enhanced security screening – which set to improve the international travel experience. Additionally, the construction of a new baggage reclaim belt will speed up the arrivals process for inbound travellers.
Furthermore, Virgin Australia is in the final stages of developing a new lounge offering at Adelaide Airport. With the airline’s existing facility situated adjacent to the terminal expansion zone – and positioned atop of Aviation House – the current lounge is set for closure and demolition in the near future.
A Virgin Australia spokesperson told Australian Aviation that the airline is working on preparations to open its brand new lounge in the coming months, adding: “There will be a short transition period between the closure of the current lounge and the opening of our new lounge.
“However, we will have a temporary lounge space for a few weeks, with full details to be released in the coming weeks.”
Virgin Australia also confirmed that its new Adelaide offering will introduce a revised lounge concept not yet seen before across the Virgin Australia lounge network; with details set to be released in the near future.
