AUSTRALIA. Sydney Airport has begun the next stage of improvements at the International Terminal (T1) aimed at enhancing the airport experience for passengers, visitors and staff.
The programme will deliver more direct paths, clearer sightlines, improved wayfinding and more seating closer to gates. The “bigger and brighter” terminal features new retail and dining precincts.
The next stage includes:
- Redeveloping gate lounges to streamline boarding processes and provide more comfortable areas for passengers while waiting to board;
- Making improvements to the emigration and security entrance; and
- The introduction of new navigation signage throughout T1, which will allow passengers to more easily find their way to gates and airport services.
Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Mather said: “With the most improvement projects underway at the airport since the 2000 Sydney Olympics, we have worked tirelessly on the upgrade of T1 while ensuring minimal disruption for the 150,000 people who visit the airport every day.
“With more upgrades planned in coming months, we look forward to delivering a world-class airport experience for everyone departing, visiting or arriving in Sydney.”
New additions to T1 that have been announced include The Marketplace, a new retail and dining precinct within T1 Departures that will showcase a selection of street food.
New floor to ceiling glass windows and a raised glass roof will be installed, flooding the area with natural light, while a lounge style seating area will provide space for passengers to relax close to gates while waiting to board.
Complementing The Marketplace will be the City View precinct, a premium dining hub set to open in late 2016, which will feature dining experiences by top chefs from Australia and abroad. They include The Bistro by Wolfgang Puck, Benny Burger by Shannon Bennett and Kitchen by Mike, all of which are unique to Sydney Airport.
Designer fashion brands have also opened and been announced for the airport, including Tiffany & Co. Tumi, Michael Kors, Kate Spade New York, Hugo Boss, Max Mara, Fendi, Salvatore Ferragamo, Bally, Zegna, Furla and Jimmy Choo. Further brands will be unveiled throughout 2016.
A number of improvements to T1 have already been delivered, including improved terminal presentation, upgrades to emigration and security, and a mix of new retail and food & beverage brands.
The installation of 25 SmartGates in T1 Departures in late 2015 was an Australian airport first, providing automated outbound border processing for passengers.
The casual dining precinct in the T1 Check-In Hall now showcases an expanded range of food outlets such as Roll’d, Mach2, Hokka Hokka, Soul Origin, Oliver Brown, Nando’s and Grand Cru, providing more dining options for passengers.
Gebr Heinemann, Sydney Airport’s duty free partner, has also introduced over 400 new brands to T1 covering beauty, fashion, accessories and liquor, as well as custom-built dining concepts Coast Café and Bridge Bar, which showcase design and menus developed by Australian chef Luke Mangan.
