 | |
Over the next five to seven years a three-phased redevelopment will equip Perth Airport with an array of new facilities located around the site of the existing international terminal | |
AUSTRALIA. Perth Airport has outlined its A$1 billion (US$932 million) vision for the future of air travel in Western Australia.
Last week’s announcement was eagerly awaited following criticism of the airport in April by State Premier Alan Carpenter. The airport has been under intense pressure due to soaring passenger numbers – forecast to rise +13% in 2008.
Over the next five to seven years a three-phased redevelopment will equip the West Australian gateway with an array of new facilities located around the site of the existing international terminal.
Phase 1 will be a new terminal dedicated to internal Western Australian air services and some interstate flights, due to be completed by mid 2010. Phases 2 and 3 will deliver new international and domestic terminal facilities. The new terminal facilities will be supported by an airport hotel, multi-storey car park and a new administration centre for airlines and government agencies.
Perth Airport CEO Brad Geatches said the launch of the future vision for Perth Airport came at a time of record growth. “Over the past five years domestic passenger movements at Perth Airport have increased by more than +85% and in 2007 Perth Airport achieved its passenger traffic forecasts for 2016. This rate of growth is unprecedented for large airports in Australia.”
In the international sector Perth Airport recorded passenger growth of nearly +10% during 2006/07 and is likely to exceed +12% during 2007/08. “It is this growth across domestic, international and regional sectors which creates the right environment for Perth Airport to bring forward its vision for expansion and redevelopment,” Geatches said.
 |  |
Perth Airport today: (Above left and right) The Nuance Group’s F1RST duty free store, opened in December, provides a fresh new look to the retail areas in the International Terminal at Perth | |
 |  |
(Below left) Signage on the stairs towards Departures reinforces the LAGs-era message that it’s still ‘OK to buy’ duty free; (Below right) The Australian Way store is one of the many landside outlets at the airport | |
Components of the Perth Airport Plan:
Phase 1: Terminal WA
The Phase 1 development aims to deliver a regional terminal, Terminal WA, within the next two years. Massive growth in the sector, driven by the State’s resources industry, have made regional services the fastest-growing market segment in terms of aircraft movements. In 2005/06 the volume of regional traffic increased by +42%, and by a further +48% in 2006/07.
 |
“Our plans will produce more than an airport. As well as new terminal buildings, we are looking at building a range of facilities and features that will make Perth Airport a destination in its own right“ |
Brad Geatches Chief Executive Officer Perth Airport |
“Perth Airport is a vital element in Western Australia’s resources sector, providing a commuter hub for the many thousands of fly-in fly-out workers who are employed on resources projects in remote locations throughout the State,” Geatches said. “The new terminal for flights within Western Australia will provide these workers with a superior travel experience, with a good retail offering and easy access to price effective long term car parking.”
Phases 2 and 3: New domestic and international facilities
Revamped domestic and international terminal facilities will form the centrepiece of the new Perth Airport, and are likely to see major redevelopment of the existing international terminal and the construction of new terminal space.
Domestic services will gradually be relocated to the new terminal facilities during a phased transition. Because domestic travellers to and from Perth experience journey lengths far greater than elsewhere in Australia, Perth Airport is committed to a high level of comfort and amenity. Concept designs for Phases 2 and 3 of the new Perth Airport should be released by the end of 2008
More parking and new airport hotels
The construction of a new multi-storey car park with links to each of the terminal buildings is expected to be delivered in conjunction with the new terminal facilities during Phases 2 and 3. Discussions will continue with the Western Australian Government over a possible rail link to the airport and necessary improvement to roads around the airport.
Perth Airport’s support for a new airport hotel will also provide much needed additional hotel capacity to the Perth market, noted Geatches.
 | |
The new terminal facilities will be supported by an airport hotel, multi-storey car park and a new administration centre for airlines and government agencies | |
Improving existing domestic facilities
The five to seven year timeframe to complete the new Perth Airport project means that investments in improved customer service will continue to be made in the current Domestic Precinct over the next 5 years.
Throughout 2008 and 2009 approximately 2,000 new long term parking bays will be constructed at the domestic terminals, with another 2,000 to be built before the end of 2010. “These changes – and a $50 million terminal upgrade by Qantas – are happening now. Customers using the Qantas domestic terminal are already experiencing the improvements delivered in the first stage of the Qantas upgrade,” Geatches said.
A sense of Western Australia
The detailed design of each of the new facilities at the new Perth Airport would reflect the character of Western Australia – the landscape, history and economy – in consultation with the traditional Noongar owners of the airport land.
Affirmed Geatches: “Our plans will produce more than an airport. As well as new terminal buildings, we are looking at building a range of facilities and features that will make Perth Airport a destination in its own right.”
The final vision will be confirmed in a Master Plan which Perth Airport is required to submit to the Commonwealth Government in 2009.
NOTE: In the upcoming May edition of The Moodie Report Digital Print Edition, Perth Airport General Manager Business Development Scott Norris discusses the commercial thinking behind the airport’s bold plans to manage unprecedented demand.
[comments]
Your post will appear – once approved – in The Moodie Forum on our home page
MORE STORIES ON PERTH AIRPORT
Nuance brings new name and new look to tax and duty free at Perth Airport – 11/12/07
Scott Norris moves from Auckland Airport to take up key commercial post in Perth – 09/11/07
