Simon Westaway, who was executive head of corporate relations at Jetstar from 2004 to 2011, has also worked for Impulse Airways and Tourism Australia. He replaces James Goodwin, who left the AAA in a surprise announcement in July.
Qantas Freight will occupy a 24,000-square-metre cargo operation at WSI, including around 14,000 square metres of warehousing. The hub will be capable of servicing Qantas’ new and upgraded A330 and A321 freighters when it opens alongside the rest of the airport in 2026.
The 74.25 per cent interest is set to be acquired by a consortium comprising KKR and the Skip Essential Infrastructure Fund for an undisclosed amount, with the consortium reported to have defeated AustralianSuper, among others, in the bidding war.
The 32-hectare development will be located between the Tullamarine Freeway and Airport Drive, and is set to be built in three stages over approximately nine years, with construction expected to begin next year and the first tenants tipped for 2026.
The screening staff, employed through Trident Services, were demanding wage parity with staff at Brisbane, Gold Coast and Townsville Airports, saying the difference “has no justification”. The action was called off on Wednesday afternoon, with members set to vote on the offer in the near future.
An investment of $63.5 million will be made in the detailed design work, which will include additional platforms, track and bridge works, and signalling improvements. Six trains per hour are expected to Melbourne Airport once the rail link is complete.