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Adelaide Airport’s new international departures hall and retail concourse has opened to travellers, in the latest step in its $165 million expanded terminal development.
The opening coincides with the return of several stores and restaurants such as Penfolds Wine Bar & Kitchen, Soul Origin and Precinct Kitchen.
The launch of the new facilities is Adelaide Airport’s first major expansion since the current terminal was opened in 2005. In particular, the new international departures hall is three times the size of the previous facility.
The next step of the project, which is due to be complete by the end of next year, includes a new international arrivals hall, international lounge and more retail space.
Adelaide Airport’s managing director, Mark Young, said, “It has been an incredibly difficult year for the aviation sector, but the silver lining has been that closing the northern end of the terminal due to COVID-19 made it a bit easier for the builder to access the site and continue construction without creating disruptions for passengers.
“The opening of international departures and the northern concourse has coincided with us reopening gates and retail stores at the northern end of the terminal for the first time in nine months.”
The business explained the changes for passengers in a statement: “All departing international passengers will now enter the security screening and emigration processing on Level 1 (between ground level and the main concourse and gates on Level 2) via escalators at the northern end of the terminal adjacent Penfolds Wine Bar & Kitchen in the new retail precinct.
“Once passengers complete emigration processing, they will move back up to Level 2 to access the international departure gates.
“The new northern retail concourse now provides a direct link between the main security checkpoint and the northern retail precinct and international departures.”
The entire project will expand the terminal’s retail footprint to 7,257 square metres, while overall terminal expansion will be 16,500 square metres.
Passenger numbers have increased by close to 50 per cent since the existing terminal was opened. International passengers alone have tripled over the same 15-year period.
Virgin Australia will open an expanded lounge as part of the development. The first VIP facilities for international arrival and departures will also be included.
International upgrades will include a second, longer baggage belt for arrivals, more space for emigration and immigration processing, expanded security screening, a larger duty-free precinct for arrivals and departures, and expanded dining and retail options.
“Our aim is to provide a seamless, connected experience from the time you drive into the airport until you board your aircraft, and vice versa,” Young said.
“We’d like to thank our customers for their patience, understanding and co-operation this year both because of these construction works and the changed operational environment due to COVID-19. We hope the completion of this project in 2021 will match up with travellers returning to the skies and that we’re on track for a return to international travel.”
