Big builds at the big four airports

That is only the start, however: the major airports are planning to spend around $19 billion collectively on infrastructure over the next decade, says Simon Westaway, chief executive of the Australian Airports Association (AAA).

“Australian airports are working to deliver the best experience possible for the surge in numbers of the flying public with necessary investment in aeronautical upgrades,” Westaway said. “Total air passenger numbers at Australian airports are expected to reach 210 million by 2030, a more than 30 per cent increase on existing levels. With that level of passenger traffic heading through our local terminals, it’s vital our airports continue to upgrade and expand facilities to meet both demand and customer expectation.”

Sydney’s T2 transformation

Once the Ansett domestic terminal, Sydney Airport’s Terminal 2 now plays host to Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and non-QantasLink regional services. T2 is Australia’s busiest airport terminal, serving 17 million passengers per year – and, if it were its own airport, would be the fourth largest in the country. As it was built in the 1990s for just eight million passengers, however, it’s starting to show its age, which has prompted a $200 million upgrade program starting in May.

The upgrades will modernise the check-in hall with new kiosks and bag drop facilities; increase baggage capacity to 1,800 per hour; replace outdated security scanners with new models that allow passengers to leave aerosols and laptops in their bags; create new security lanes to process 500 passengers per hour; add dedicated lanes for family and assistance passengers; and install new lifts post-security.

According to Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton, the goal is to get all passengers from kerb to gate within 15 minutes.

“The upgrades we’re making at the T2 domestic terminal will significantly improve the experience for the 17 million people who use T2 every year and position us for future growth,” he said. “We’ve made great progress on security recently, with all passengers clearing processing in less than 10 minutes, but the bottleneck at check-in can sometimes add 30 to 40 minutes. More kiosks and new automated bag drops will streamline the checkin process and, once complete, our aim is for passengers to get from kerb to gate within 15 minutes. The upgrade will be phased, with security set for completion by the end of the year and check-in works to be finished in late 2026.”

Melbourne’s third runway

After a long wait, the Federal Government last year approved Melbourne Airport’s third runway project, allowing detailed design and construction work to start. The 3,000-metre-long runway will be built in parallel to Melbourne’s existing north-south runway, 1.3 kilometres to the west, with new taxiways to serve it, and is expected to be operational by 2031. This will allow simultaneous take-offs and landings, increasing the airport’s throughput, said chief executive Lorie Argus.

“The new north-south runway will ensure Victoria’s primary international gateway has adequate capacity to serve the state’s needs for future generations,” she said. “Sydney and Brisbane already operate parallel runway systems, so this will ensure that Melbourne does not become a handbrake on the national air network or the national economy. The new runway will require new flight paths, and as part of this project we will be facilitating noise attenuation for dwellings in the most impacted areas. The runway project will support 51,000 jobs in Victoria’s tourism, agriculture, education and other export industries, and will help add an additional $6 billion a year to the state economy.”

Alongside the new runway, Melbourne is looking to expand its international terminal and is already in the midst of a $500 million upgrade to its international baggage system. A potential international satellite expansion would add up to five new gates, as well as more space for lounges and retail.

“The upgrade of our baggage system is the first step of an ambitious expansion of our international terminal,” Argus said. “More gates, more aircraft parking stands, more check-in space, and a larger baggage reclaim hall, combined with construction of Melbourne Airport’s third runway, would allow airlines to add more flights during peak times, which would give consumers and Victorian exporters more choice. We hope to have plans formalised by the middle of this year, so that we can start work as soon as the enabling infrastructure projects are completed.”

Brisbane’s future focus

As the 2032 Olympics fast approach, Brisbane Airport – which recently unveiled new branding – is steaming ahead with its $5 billion “Future BNE” program to overhaul both its domestic and international terminals.

The upgrades began on the domestic terminal in late 2023, with the aim of modernising a building that dates back to the 1988 World Expo. New Rapiscan security scanners are being installed, with a mezzanine level under construction above the existing Central Terminal Area to provide direct “skywalk” access from the carparks to security screening for passengers with only carry-on luggage. Additionally, the old domestic baggage handling system – comprising three systems dating back to the 1980s – is being replaced, with an entire new baggage hall being built next to the central satellite walkway.

“We’re investing now to get ahead of the population growth curve so we’re ready for 2032 and beyond,” said Brisbane Airport Corporation chief executive, Gert-Jan de Graaff, in 2023. “We’re investing now so Queenslanders and the world are more closely connected. And we’re investing now to be a leader in sustainability. This major upgrade will ensure our Domestic Terminal continues to serve Brisbane, Queensland and Australia for many years to come.”

On the international side, the same Rapiscan security equipment is being installed, with a new “light-filled atrium” on level 4 to house security screening. Amadeus is providing new self-service check-in and bag drop technology, and a new mezzanine level will house the updated baggage system. Planning is also underway for a third Brisbane terminal between the two parallel runways, according to de Graaff.

“Eventually, we will integrate domestic and international passengers into this new facility. We need to determine whether this integration will happen from day one or in stages. What we know for sure is that sustainability and accessibility will be baked into the design of Terminal 3,” he said.

Perth’s ‘one airport’

As part of its ambition to cement its place as Australia’s main western gateway, Perth is consolidating all passenger operations into the “Airport Central” precinct, which features a recently-opened train station connecting the airport directly to the city. Dubbed “One Airport”, the $5 billion plan was enabled by Qantas burying the hatchet with Perth Airport over its long-planned move away from Terminals 3 and 4 to Airport Central.

In a glossy animation last year, Perth Airport showed off its vision for the overhaul, including a new parallel runway, new terminal facilities slated to open in 2031, a pair of multi-storey carparks, and Perth’s first airport hotel, to be operated by Accor under its Pullman Hotels & Resorts brand.

“We will have a world class airport experience for travellers while delivering the capacity and efficiency our airline partners need to grow their connections into Western Australia,” Perth Airport chief executive Jason Waters said. “We want the new terminal facilities to reflect the confidence and character of Western Australia. This will be the first welcome to our State for millions of visitors each year and we want to make a lasting first impression.

“We know that one of the things that confuses the public the most is which terminal or which part of the airport they should be heading to. Bringing everything into one precinct will create ‘one airport’ for all flights. This will make the whole experience more intuitive and simpler. It will also help boost regional tourism as it will make it easier for connections between international, interstate and regional flights.”

Construction works will be phased to minimise disruption, with Waters acknowledging there will be “some pain along the way” as the airport would remain open during the process.

“Construction has commenced on the multi-storey carpark, and works are underway at Terminal 2 to add more departure gates and seating. We will also add more car parks and make changes to the road network around T2 to improve traffic flow along the forecourt.”